John Sammon News
Monsanto settles with plaintiff in Florida Roundup lawsuit; Trial would have started Oct. 31
Officials of Monsanto settled for an undisclosed amount with a plaintiff in Florida suing them for their weed killer spray Roundup, that he claimed to have caused his Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer.
Walgreens settles Florida opioid case mid-trial for $683 million, denies wrongdoing
After three weeks of trial accusing the country's largest chain drug store of contributing to an opioid epidemic in Florida, Walgreens Phamacy on May 4 agreed to settle the case for $683 million. It also includes a one-time payment of $63 million for attorneys’ fees.
Florida opioid trial testimony; Walgreens said DEA bullied them, lobbied to fight back
In an ironic twist during a trial in Florida to determine if Walgreens Pharmacy recklessly prescribed opioids creating an epidemic, a 2013 email between company officials accused the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration of bullying them.
Pharmacist, defense attorneys spar over Walgreens prescriptions in Florida opioid trial
In a trial accusing Walgreens pharmacies of causing an opioid epidemic in Florida, defense attorneys on April 26 attempted to undermine the testimony of a former professor of pharmacy, questioning his methodology in a study that alleged the pharmacies had ignored red flagged (suspicious prescription orders).
Pharmacy expert in Florida trial tells court Walgreens failed to resolve suspicious opioid orders
A professor of pharmacy called as an expert witness by the State of Florida on April 25 told a jury that of the prescriptions he reviewed between 2007 and 2020, Walgreens Pharmacies failed to investigate and resolve 89.3 percent of the suspicious prescription opioid drug orders received.
Opioid trial in Florida postponed as juror tests positive for COVID
The trial of Walgreens Pharmacies, accused of causing an opioid epidemic in Florida, came to an abrupt halt on April 20 when it was disclosed a member of the jury had tested positive for the COVID virus.
DEA chief says Walgreens not stopping diversions, defense says DEA allows too much opioids
A former top officer with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a state-led lawsuit accusing Walgreens Pharmacy of causing an opioid epidemic in Florida, said the company failed to adequately check the drugs it dispensed.
Walgreens defense points to Purdue Pharma's pro-opioid stance as fuel for epidemic
During the testimony of a drug historian during the second day of a high profile Floriday opioid trial, attorneys defending Walgreens Pharmacy attempted to distance their client from blame, by blaming Purdue Pharma.
Florida opioid trial against Walgreens opens; Defense: Pay attention to difference between AG's public vs. court statements
A jury trial began Monday in a lawsuit launched by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2018 against Walgreens pharmacies, accusing the company of flooding the state with opioid pills and creating an epidemic of addiction.
'A very important bill for citizens' rights': Bill to stop agencies from suing records requesters awaits DeSantis'
If signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Senate Bill (SB) 400 would prevent the keepers of public records from suing those who request such records including media reporters and concerned citizens.
Geller: Maintaining copies of ballots, opposed by the state, is common sense
Florida House Rep. Joseph Geller (D-Hollywood) told The Florida Record he doesn’t know the motivation behind the state opposing a requirement to preserve images of ballots created by digital voting machines, but the idea is common sense.
Protesters file lawsuit against Jacksonville Sheriff's officers for alleged excessive use of force
JACKSONVILLE – An attorney, defending plaintiffs who claim they were manhandled by Jacksonville Sheriff's officers while protesting the killing of George Floyd, said a lawsuit will seek damages for excessive use of force.
Florida Health Association says liability protections for workers needed during COVID-19 pandemic
TALLAHASSEE – A spokesperson for the Florida Health Care Association said workers need protections from lawsuits even though a Jacksonville attorney maintains they are already protected under law.
Florida court denies motion to stay case until Kansas litigation proceeds over insurance lawsuit
MIAMI – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida denied a motion by an insurance company to stay a case accusing the company of racketeering until similar litigation in Kansas proceeds, because the Kansas outcome could influence the Florida case.
Florida courts look at possibility of continuing virtual arguments even after pandemic ends
TALLAHASSEE – The use of virtual arguments by attorneys in court cases have been so successful that it might continue even after the pandemic is over, a spokesman for the Florida Supreme Court said.
Advocates oppose Governor’s move to make felons pay to vote
TALLAHASSEE – A Florida state law that dictates released felons have to pay court fines and fees in order to vote in elections is pitting the state’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis against critics who contend the financial obligation amounts to a penalty on the poor and a poll tax.
Legal expert says Florida’s virus quarantine action capable of posing legal problems
MIAMI – Calling his powers authority “overbroad” and indicating it's uncharted waters, a Florida law expert said Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move to quarantine visitors from other states to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus could spell legal trouble.
Florida court denies motion to compel arbitration in alleged smear campaign
MIAMI – The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida denied compelling arbitration March 12, saying both the defendant and plaintiff had repudiated an agreement the arbitration was a part of in an alleged cyber-defamation case.
Florida court rejects subpoena for records in golf course development lawsuit
MIAMI – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida rejected a subpoena March 12 demanding records from an accounting firm in a dispute over events that allegedly took place in a golf course country club development.
Florida Supreme Court to decide on one-cent tax proposal
TAMPA – Lawmakers in Hillsborough County have a backup plan in case the state’s Supreme Court shoots down a proposed transportation tax passed by 57% of voters in 2018.