Robert Stevens died after inhaling anthrax sent to his workplace in the fall of 2001. His widow sued the federal government and Battelle Memorial Institute, accusing them of negligently storing, securing and/or transporting the anthrax. The United States and Battelle argued they were not liable for wrongdoing by a third-party when they had no special relationship with Mr. Stevens. The trial court refused to dismiss the lawsuit and the defendants appealed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That court asked this Court to answer whether, under Florida law, laboratories that handle ultra-hazardous materials have a duty to the general public to avoid unauthorized release of such materials.