Published March 22nd, 2021
Proposals to ban damage claims for covid infection are rapidly turning into action.
The GOP-dominated Florida Legislature is moving ahead with bills that would restrict claims against businesses, churches, schools, doctors, hospitals, and nursing homes for failing to protect from COVID. Among the restrictions on the table:
- One-year statute of limitations
- Requiring a showing of “gross negligence” or “intentional misconduct”
- Requiring a physician’s affidavit stating the defendant’s acts or omission were to blame
- Immunity upon a showing of substantial compliance with government health standards or guidelines
These enactments would supposedly protect business, industry and healthcare from a theoretical “avalanche of frivolous lawsuits.” But union leaders for frontline, essential workers say this is like a slap in the face, telling businesses they don’t have to worry about being responsible.
