Chicago Pancake House Sues Society for Coverage of COVID-19 Losses

CHICAGO — A Chicago-area pancake restaurant has sued Society Insurance for coverage of business interruption losses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and related government shutdown orders.

In an Oct. 2 complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1823 Wise LLC, which owns the Omega Restaurant, contends that the virus caused it to sustain “physical loss or damage” to its insured property, triggering coverage under its policy.

“Illinois courts have consistently held that the presence of a dangerous substance in a property constitutes ‘physical loss or damage,’” plaintiff contends.

On March 15, in an effort …