News & Events

COVID-19 has affected the state of Florida, and the entire United States, in ways that were previously unfathomable. The virus has taken a catastrophic toll on the population as well as the economy. While many industries are struggling to recover, the risk of opportunistic insurance claims and lawsuits as a result of the pandemic is on the rise. The financial threat these lawsuits pose to the business community, large and small, is incalculable. Multiple plaintiffs have already filed lawsuits in hopes of compensation for a variety of reasons, including relatives of deceased family members seeking compensation for their loved ones’ deaths and businesses filing suits against insurance carriers that have denied business interruption claims. New state legislation passed on March 29, 2021 grants liability protection against COVID-19 related injury and death lawsuits to Florida businesses and educational, governmental, and religious institutions – all of which are attempting to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic.

Historically, nationwide insurance coverage issues that significantly affect the economy do not get resolved quickly. For those who lived through the long-term and complex insurance coverage issues surrounding asbestos liability and environmental liability, it comes as no surprise that COVID-19 insurance coverage litigation is far from being over.

With Florida coronavirus cases surging beyond last spring’s case numbers, the Florida Legislature is preparing to debate COVID-related lawsuit immunity for businesses during the 2021 legislative session. The issue is complicated and will require nuanced discussion on how to handle this unprecedented event.

With the state reopening, courts that were forced to shut down in March and handle many of their cases remotely via virtual platforms are now able to hold a limited amount of in-person jury trials - with significant changes in protocols and new safety features in place. Several trials have already been completed in multiple Circuits.

SARS-CoV-2, known commonly as the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, has caused economic uncertainty and increased scrutiny on safety in the workplace. To help business owners adapt to new protocols and help slow the spread of the virus, OSHA has issued new guidance about increasing the frequency of inspections and new record keeping requirements.