Florida Senate Extends Health Care Provider COVID Liability Protections

A must-pass bill for Florida’s nursing homes, doctors and hospitals cleared the Florida Senate Wednesday by a mostly partisan 22-13 vote.

Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart voted for the bill, the only member of her party in the chamber to support it.

Sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, the bill (SB 7014) extends through June 1, 2023 the protections health care providers currently have from COVID-19-related lawsuits. Senate Democrats all voted against the measure. Four senators have excused absences and did not vote.

The current law that shields businesses and health care providers from COVID-19-related lawsuits was one of the first measures passed by the Legislature during the 2021 Session. The law makes clear that to successfully sue a health care provider for COVID-19, the plaintiff must prove gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

While general businesses were provided indefinite immunity liability protections, health care providers were afforded such protection only through March 2022.