Federal Judge Orders Mediation In Florida's Lawsuit Against The CDC

By: Alana DeRose

mediation - intervention in dispute in order to resolve it; arbitration

Tampa judge, Steven D. Merryday has ruled the case between the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Florida shall be turned over to a mediator.

After hearing both sides on May 12, Merryday gave instructions to the mediator to help both sides come to an agreement by June 1.

The lawsuit was filed on April 8 against the CDC and the department of Health and Human Services as Florida officials claimed the rulings were "arbitrary and capricious, unconstitutional and violate federal laws governing administrative procedures".

"Tampa attorney Joseph H. Varner III was named mediator and James Percival will serve as his lead attorney. Merryday also allowed the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) to file a friend of the court brief supporting Florida’s claims of economic damages suffered,"

according to Travel Pulse.

“Plainly, the outcome of this case will affect far more Americans than just the 159,000 Floridians whose livelihoods are tied in one way or another to the cruise industry,” ASTA stated in their lawsuit.

“Indeed, they represent but a small percentage of those impacted by the defendants’ actions when viewed in strictly economic terms. That being said, the impact goes well beyond the economic, as this case raises broader and concerns about the freedom of individuals to travel as they see fit and infringes upon their fundamental rights.”