regulations of massage therapists | The Health Law Firm Blog

New Florida Law Prohibits Massage Therapy Businesses from Operating Between Certain Hours: Should Remedy “Human Trafficking” in Florida

By Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The operation of massage therapy establishments between certain late night and early morning hours will be prohibited under a new Florida law. Section 480.0475, Florida Statutes, becomes effective on October 1, 2013. The new Florida law restricts massage therapy businesses from being open for business between midnight and 5:00 A.M., with limited exceptions.

Click here to read Section 480.0475, Florida Statutes.

This law represents a significant curtailment of an establishment owner’s right to operate his/her business. The law states that it does […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:10-04:00May 15, 2018|Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|

Florida Woman Sues After Claims She Was Sexually Assaulted at Massage Envy

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On December 7, 2017, a woman who accused a Coral Gables Massage Envy masseur of sexual assault filed a civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade circuit court against that franchise’s owner. The suit charges that First World Financial Corp.’s negligence in hiring and business practices cleared the way for the alleged sexual assault by the male licensed massage therapist.

According to the suit, she is seeking compensation for “injury and expense, including but not limited to, psychological and emotional injuries, mental anguish, and the loss of the enjoyment of life.”

I recently wrote a blog about a similar […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:15-04:00May 15, 2018|Massage Law Blog|

Florida Massage Therapist Charged in Sexual Battery Case Following Several Complaints

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On June 24, 2016, a South Florida massage therapist was charged with sexual battery after being accused of assaulting a client during a session in February 2016. The therapist who allegedly worked at Chi Spa in Pompano Beach, Florida, pleaded not guilty on charges of sexual battery on a person older than 18 without violence.

The Complaints.

According to police reports, at least three women claimed to have been inappropriately touched during massage appointments at Chi Spa. Police said the spa’s owner said she was aware of one incident because the woman called to ask for her […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:32-04:00May 15, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Massage Therapist Sued for $25 Million After Alleged Sexual Assault

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A woman who claims she was assaulted at a Massage Envy location in the Northwest section of the District of Columbia (D.C.) filed a $25 million lawsuit against the company and the massage therapist who she said attacked her. The alleged victim, who is not identified in the suit, said the franchise owners never should have hired the alleged attacker, and that they knew he previously had been accused of assaulting women.

The Allegations.

According to the suit, the defendant removed a sheet that was covering the woman and made inappropriate oral sexual contact […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:33-04:00May 15, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Florida Woman Sues After Claims She Was Sexually Assaulted at Massage Envy

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On December 7, 2017, a woman who accused a Coral Gables Massage Envy masseur of sexual assault filed a civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade circuit court against that franchise’s owner. The suit charges that First World Financial Corp.’s negligence in hiring and business practices cleared the way for the alleged sexual assault by the male licensed massage therapist.

According to the suit, she is seeking compensation for “injury and expense, including but not limited to, psychological and emotional injuries, mental anguish, and the loss of the enjoyment of life.”

I recently wrote a blog about a similar case that […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:33-04:00May 15, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Florida Statute on Massage Therapy Establishments: Employees Must Present Documentation to Department of Health and Law Enforcement Agencies

By Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Currently there is a fight in Florida, headed by the Attorney General (AG), to stop human trafficking. AG Pam Bondi has worked to make Florida a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking. During the 2012 legislative session, she advocated for legislation that was supposed to crack down on human trafficking.

Section 480.0535, Florida Statutes, is one result of her efforts. The statute contains details on the documentation required for employees working in a massage therapy establishment. These requirements provide the Department of Health (DOH) and law enforcement agencies […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:47-04:00May 15, 2018|Massage Law Blog|

Massage Therapist Sued for $25 Million After Alleged Sexual Assault

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A woman who claims she was assaulted at a Massage Envy location in the Northwest section of the District of Columbia (D.C.) filed a $25 million lawsuit against the company and the massage therapist who she said attacked her. The alleged victim, who is not identified in the suit, said the franchise owners never should have hired the alleged attacker, and that they knew he previously had been accused of assaulting women.

The Allegations.

According to the suit, the defendant removed a sheet that was covering the woman and made inappropriate oral sexual contact toward the end of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:48-04:00May 15, 2018|Massage Law Blog|