Senator Noncommittal on Presumption Bills This Year

Thursday, February 4, 2021 | 0

A ranking Florida state senator made no commitment to consideration of a COVID-19 presumption bill when lawmakers meet next month, despite a growing number of claims from workers and a 43% denial rate.

Sen. Jeff Brandes

“I think we are going to look at that as part of the overall pandemic committee,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

He spoke to the News Service of Florida and was referring to the Senate Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

The state Division of Workers' Compensation has reported that health, education and public service workers had filed almost 24,700 COVID-related comp claims in 2020. About 43% of all COVID claims have been denied.

Unlike 21 other states, Florida does not have a presumption law for most essential workers who fall ill from the still-spreading disease. First responders and their attorneys have urged state officials to adopt such a measure, but no presumption bills have been pre-filed.

The Legislature convenes March 2.