On January 6, 2021, Florida legislators introduced a pair of bills—H.B. 7 in the Florida House and S.B. 72 in the Florida Senate—intended to address civil liability for damages for personal injuries relating to COVID-19. (In a previous Alert, we discussed the Associated Industries of Florida’s recommendation for the state to address legal liability.) As described below, the bills would impose strict pleading, filing and proof requirements on plaintiffs pursuing COVID-19-related actions; shield from liability defendants who attempted to comply with applicable health standards and guidelines; and establish a framework for courts to quickly dispose of spurious claims.
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