Louisiana Justices Uphold Health-Care Provider Covid Shield Law

A Louisiana woman can’t sue her health-care providers for medical malpractice allegedly related to the Covid-19 public health emergency, a majority of the state’s top court said.

The state’s health-care provider shield law barred Kathleen Welch’s ordinary negligence claims, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled March 21. The fractured court upheld the Louisiana Health Emergency Powers Act as constitutional, saying it was rationally related to the state’s legitimate interest in ensuring the availability of health services during the pandemic.

Louisiana is one of several states that adopted emergency orders to address Covid-19. The law protects health-care providers from liability for ...