One thing is clear about COVID-19 in Florida: Residents don’t want businesses to be slapped with lawsuits after surviving the pandemic, as long as they tried to comply with public health safety guidelines.
That is the finding of a recent poll by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Islander News reported. In the poll, 74% of respondents said they support a COVID-19 liability shield for small businesses similar to one that is proposed in state legislation currently pending.
“The number increases to 78% when you include health care providers,” Nicholas Catroppo, the chamber’s vice president of political operations told the Florida Record. “The support extends across party lines. We see wide support among Democrats, Republicans and Independents.”
There are currently two bills pending in the Florida legislature, SB 72 and HB 7, that would create a COVID-19 liability shield.
“We’re continuing our conversations with lawmakers to see this get over the finish line,” Catroppo said. “We are excited when we polled on it.”
Support has actually increased in the past several months since an earlier poll which showed 71% support for a shield, he said.
More business are reopening in Florida and adjusting to the “COVID norms,” Catroppo said.
“These are the good actors out there,” he said. “They are folks that are following the guidelines issued by state and federal regulators. They are worried that they are going to get hit by frivolous lawsuits.”
Trial attorneys are also advertising on billboards looking for people to sue over COVID-19, he said.
After making it through the pandemic, many small businesses could not afford the legal cost of defending lawsuits.
“We’re seeing it from trial attorneys so we are asking that our lawmakers put safeguards and protections in places for the businesses that follow the necessary guidelines,” Catroppo said.
The legislation will help ensure that businesses can get back on their feet as the pandemic subsides, Catroppo said.