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.