Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill March 29 that protects businesses and healthcare providers from COVID-19 lawsuits if they can show they complied with guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
To bring a COVID-19 lawsuit in Florida against a healthcare provider or business now requires "clear and convincing evidence" of "gross negligence." Bringing a claim also requires an affidavit from a medical professional, according to the report.
Under the new law, businesses and healthcare providers have a defense against any COVID-19-releated lawsuits if they "substantially complied" with government-issued orders regarding precautions at the time the virus was contracted. They also have a defense if they were unable to comply with the guidelines because of shortages of personal protective equipment, according to the report.
Read the full article from the Orlando Sentinel here.