As Florida remains open, area businesses seek legal protection from potential COVID-19 lawsuits

ORLANDO, Fla. — Throughout the summer and into the fall, lawsuits have been a leading concern for area businesses.

With Gov. Ron DeSantis pushing his plan to open everything, regardless of spiking cases, businesses are asking for protection.

Watch: White House doctor slams states like Florida for refusing to close as COVID-19 cases climb

As the state sees COVID-19 cases spike for the third time, the business community is putting pressure on lawmakers to provide them a level of protection. Immunity, not from the virus, but from lawsuits.

“Especially with so many thousands of people asymptomatic, it does create a challenging situation for them,” said state Sen. Jeff Brandes, of Pinellas County.

Brandes began pushing the idea over the summer. Now with lawmakers about to head back to Tallahassee, the idea is moving forward.

Watch: Coronavirus: FDA sees ‘no specific safety concerns’ for Pfizer, BioNTech vaccine, analysis shows

Create a legal shield for businesses from COVID-19 litigation.

“There can’t be gross negligence or willful disregard. But if you are following the state guidelines and doing what we ask you to do, then it seems reasonable that we would provide you some protection to open,” Brandes said.

Watch: Coronavirus: CVS hiring thousands ahead of COVID-19 vaccine rollout

For small-business owners, a level of immunity would remove the threat of litigation for a virus that is difficult to trace.

Businesses would still need to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local guidelines. But in doing so, would not have to worry about litigation.

See the full report in the video above.

Cox Media Group