Good news out of Florida for those who remember this case. And this is a pretty big win for medical professionals who report suspected child abuse in good faith.
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/courts/2025/10/29/take-care-of-maya-verdict-reversed/86964246007/
This case was complex, but in brief: John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in FL believed a pediatric patient was a victim of medical child abuse. They reported this as required by law. A dependency court removed the child from the care of the mother, and the child was held in the hospital for several months. The hospital was required to implement the rulings of the dependency court. Plaintiff brought claims of Medical Malpractice, False Imprisonment, Battery, and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. Hospital said several of the claims should be dismissed because of immunity offered by the law for mandatory reporters. Plaintiff won $213M judgement, later reduced by the trial court to $208M. The judgment was completely reversed by the appeals court, several claims were thrown out, and the case was sent back for retrial for the remaining counts.
https://flcourts-media.flcourts.gov/content/download/2470680/opinion/Opinion_2024-0382.pdf
The appeals court decision has some really interesting commentary on protections for mandatory reporters. Amicus briefs from the Florida Hospital Association and American Academy of Pediatrics were cited in the decision.