The US state of Missouri filed a lawsuit on April 21, 2020, against the government of China over COVID-19. The lawsuit alleges that nationโs officials are to blame for the global status of the pandemic. The lawsuit, filed in federal court by State Attorney General Eric Schmitt alleges Chinese officials are โresponsible for the enormous death, suffering, and economic losses they inflicted on the world, including Missourians.โ
Furthermore, the US State of Missouri claims that local medical authorities in China had identified the virus weeks before. But the Government reported the same to the WHO much later. In fact, when the government reported it, they denied human transmission. Moreover, the lawsuit alleges that China is running a campaign to avoid taking the blame for this outbreak. Another serious contention raised in this civil action suit is that China has been hoarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). China is earning profit from the increasing worldwide demand for PPE while impairing the ability of healthcare providers, it stated.
The lawsuit thus seeks compensation, for all direct and consequential damages, from the Chinese Government, the Communist Party of China, Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The lawsuit seeks relief on one count of public nuisance, abnormally dangerous activities, and two counts of breach of duty. Remedies could include civil penalties and restitution, abatement of the public nuisance, cessation of abnormally dangerous activities, punitive damages and more.
