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FLORIDA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Vimbai Chikomo News


House subcommittee to hear testimony on bill seeking to curb ADA lawsuit abuse

By Vimbai Chikomo |
WASHINGTON–The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice will hold a hearing today on the ACCESS (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services) Act, which aims to protect small businesses from the widespread abuse of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Utah enacts law promoting tranparancy in asbestos claims; FJRI advocates for similar reform in Florida

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – Utah recently joined the growing list of states enacting laws to rein in asbestos fraud. The question is: will such reform take place in Florida?

Bad faith laws are in desperate need of reform, expert says; Plaintiff attorneys seek to extract settlements from insurers

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – Florida has developed a reputation of having an unfair legal system that does not favor businesses, partly because of the state's bad faith laws, which many legal experts agree need reform. 

Florida ranks third on 2015-2016 Judicial Hellholes report, asbestos ruling criticized

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – Florida landed the No. 3 spot on the 2015-2016 Judicial Hellholes report by the American Tort Reform Foundation (ATRF). According to the report, the Florida Supreme Court habitually issues liability-expanding rulings “out of sync” with courts in other states.

Florida Justice Reform Institute advocates for Assignment of Benefits reform to improve state’s lawsuit climate

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – In its ongoing efforts to improve the state's poor lawsuit climate, the Florida Justice Reform Institute is calling for changes to the Assignment of Benefits law, which allows a third party to collect insurance proceeds owed to a policyholder directly from an insurance company.

Florida attorneys continue debate over adoption of the Daubert Standard for expert witnesses

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – The Daubert Standard may have been passed into Florida law just less than three years ago, but the decision to replace the Frye Standard with it remains highly contested among Florida attorneys, and the Florida Supreme Court will have the final say.

FJRI president: Over-inflated accuracy in damages in personal injury claims harming Florida tort system

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – In liability cases, many would assume that the amount billed for medical expenses and the actual amount paid are the same. However, one of the grave issues harming Florida’s legal system is over-inflated accuracy in damages in personal injury claims, sometimes referred to as “phantom damages.”

Supreme Court reverses decision allowing State Farm to reduce future damages awarded due to plaintiff’s Medicare benefits

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Supreme Court has reversed a decision by an appellate court to include evidence of a plaintiff’s eligibility for future benefits under Medicare to determine future damages.

Florida appellate court strikes down arbitration agreement due to cap on damages provision

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – A Florida appellate court recently ruled that the arbitration agreement in a dispute between a nursing home and a deceased resident was unenforceable because the agreement included a cap on damages.

Survey shows Florida listed among worst lawsuit climates in the country, falls 3 spots below 2012 ranking

By Vimbai Chikomo |
TALLAHASSEE – Sinking three slots below its 2012 ranking, Florida has once again found itself listed among the worst lawsuit climates in the country, landing at 44th out of 50, according to the 2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey conducted by the Harris Poll and released by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform.

Tampa attorney disbarred for involvement in DUI arrest of opposing attorney

By Vimbai Chikomo |
One of three lawyers suspended for orchestrating the DUI arrest of an opposing attorney during a high-profile defamation lawsuit between two popular radio personalities has been permanently disbarred.

Floridians for Solar Choice file opposition brief to oppose Consumers for Smart Solar initiative

By Vimbai Chikomo |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Citizens behind a grassroots movement to help homes and businesses capitalize on solar energy have filed an opposition brief to oppose an initiative backed by Consumers for Smart Solar.

Attorney is stumped by fact that disbarred lawyer hasn't been arrested

By Vimbai Chikomo |
WINTER PARK, Fla.—A Winter Park attorney — an expert on trust and estates who is the wife of a well-known cardiologist — continues to be free after allegations emerged that she embezzled more than $1.5 million from clients and fellow lawyers, resulting in her losing her accountant’s license and being permanently disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court.