Christina Spicer  |  May 5, 2020

Category: Covid-19

A recent lawsuit argues that the coronavirus stay-at-home order requirements violate the law.

A group of Washington residents who claimed they were deemed “nonessential” say the stay-at-home order instituted by Governor Jay Inslee has violated their civil rights and “created an unacceptable tyranny” in the state.

The lead plaintiffs include the chairperson of the Franklin County Republican Party, along with a nurse, political activist, a wedding planner, a pizza parlor owner, a beauty salon owner, and a car dealership owner.

The plaintiffs all say that they have not become ill; however, their businesses were closed and/or their fundamental liberty interests were restricted under Governor Inslee’s order.

Some of the plaintiffs say that they have been deemed a “Nonessential Washingtonian” under executive orders issued by the governor starting March 23 in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

As a result, they are allegedly unable to pursue their livelihoods or have been denied access to so-called nonessential businesses.

According to a statement released by Governor Inslee’s office, the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order banned all gatherings and also required many businesses to close if they were not “essential to the healthy functioning” of the community or could not facilitate remote work.

The order came after the governor’s office confirmed that more than 2,000 state residents had come down with the coronavirus and more than 100 had died.

“This is a human tragedy, on a scale we cannot project,” said the governor’s statement. “It’s time to hunker down in order to win this fight.”

The coronavirus stay-at-home order class action lawsuit claims that the governor’s executive orders violated the civil rights of Washington residents, as well as the U.S. Constitution.

“On March 23, 2020, under Executive Order 20-25, Jay Inslee imposed a Stay Home Stay Healthy Order throughout Washington State which prohibited all people in Washington State from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any kind regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential businesses in Washington State from conducting business, within the limitations provided herein,” explains the complaint, noting that restrictions on some recreational activities were eased in a later executive order that extended the original order to May 4, 2020.

According to the coronavirus stay-at-home order class action lawsuit, Governor Inslee lacked the authority to issue the sweeping restrictions in the first place.

State stay-at-home order requirements aim to protect people from COVID-19.“Defendant Jay Inslee has created an unacceptable tyranny in the state of Washington in violation of the Declaration of Independence upon which this nation was constructed, in violation of the Articles and Amendments of the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of the Constitution of the state of Washington,” states the coronavirus stay-at-home order class action lawsuit.

“His attempt to assert himself as tyrant has restricted and denied the liberty of all Washingtonians and has violated the civil rights of the discreet class of plaintiffs named herein.”

The plaintiffs point out that Governor Inslee swore an oath of office pursuant to provisions of the U.S. and Washington constitutions. The governor’s COVID-19 related restrictions violated his oath of office, alleges the coronavirus stay-at-home order class action lawsuit.

Additionally, the complaint argues that the restrictions on nonessential businesses and workers were enacted without providing Washingtonians due process, including notice, a hearing, adjudication, the opportunity to present witnesses, a decision, or right to appeal.

The coronavirus stay-at-home order class action lawsuit seeks to represent “Nonessential Washingtonians,” which include individuals whose businesses were either deemed nonessential or do not appear on the list of essential businesses under the state’s executive order.

The proposed Class Members also include those whose “liberty interests were terminated” along with those who closed their businesses in response to the March 23, 2020 executive order.

The plaintiffs are seeking a court order prohibiting Governor Inslee from creating additional, similar restrictions, along with damages, which the plaintiffs say amount to a minimum of $100,000.

The lawsuit also seeks declaratory judgments from the court stating that the governor violated various provisions of the U.S. and Washington Constitutions.

The striking spread of COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions have given rise to a number of legal issues. Top Class Actions offers a complete legal guide to the coronavirus to help consumers stay on top of the issues.

Do you live in a state with a stay-at-home order? Tell us your experience in the comment section below!

The lead plaintiff and proposed Class Members are represented by Stephen Pidgeon Attorney at Law PS.

The Coronavirus Stay-at-Home Order Class Action Lawsuit is Didier, et al. v. Inslee, Case No. 3:20-cv-05408, in the U.S. District Court for the Western Division of Washington.

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.


504 thoughts onCoronavirus Class Action Says Stay-at-Home Order Is Illegal

  1. Lori D Bender says:

    add me

  2. Rachelle says:

    Add me

  3. Balloon Fairy says:

    I totally agree with the frustration of the stay-at-home orders. As a professional children’s entertainer, with balloons and magic, my calendar has been wiped clean. Friday, I had a cancelation and another email came in today from a camp canceling the summer. All libraries, birthdays, festivals and restaurants have canceled. Over $10,000 in lost income so far.

    My business is out of NC and I would love to start a class action on behalf of myself and other family entertainers from across the country. Another frustration is dealing with the unemployment benefits. I’ve never collected unemployment and after 6+ hours of attempts and the insanity of paperwork, explaining my business is still open and I am available to work and trying to fill in the generic forms on why I am out of work, it looks like it will stay that way of no unemployment.

    I love this website and been following for years. How can I help get this law suit started?

    Thank you standing up for the small business owners!

    It should be the right of individuals if they want to cross paths or not, not a government that knows nothing of how healthy our individual immune systems are. Flu season, we are all intelligent enough to choose where we go and who we go around. Why do they think we suddenly became incapable of making individual decisions?

    Either we already boost our immune systems and wash our hands to stay healthy or we don’t. It is no different with the Coronavirus.

    Thank you for your help.

  4. IDELLA MITCHELL says:

    I live in Texas and have cancelled doctors’ appointment because of the stay at home order of the governor. I have two specialist doctors as I suffer from congestive heart failure and diabetes.

  5. Kendra says:

    I like in NYC and everything is pretty much closed down and my state is Currently on hold.

  6. Tina Pyle says:

    Please add me. We live in Texas and they are making it shelter in place.

  7. adriennne detberner says:

    we have been stuck in the home for months im tired of it and not being able to work or go anywhere

  8. Terrance Greer says:

    I Live in Illinois and the Governor has broke many Laws governing the Land. Please add me to the list.

  9. Leah shadowens says:

    Add me PLEASE.. Tennessee here

  10. Adrena Colbert says:

    I live in Chicago Illinois and its very hard here living with this stay at home virus. Damned if I do and damned if I don’t! Help!!!!!

    1. Dale Nehring says:

      Chicago suburb here, Illinois is killing us faster then any virus.

1 10 11 12 13 14 47

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. By submitting your comment and contact information, you agree to receive marketing emails from Top Class Actions regarding this and/or similar lawsuits or settlements, and/or to be contacted by an attorney or law firm to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you if you qualify. Required fields are marked *

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.