John Sammon News
Florida jury slaps tobacco company R.J. Reynolds with $5 million in damages for smoker’s heart disease case
A jury for the 11th Judicial Circuit Court on Wednesday hit tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds with a $5 million damage award for the heart disease a man suffered after 30 years of smoking.
Closing arguments in smoker's $8.5 million lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds held Tuesday
MIAMI – Closing arguments on Tuesday in a lawsuit charging tobacco company R.J. Reynolds with causing a man’s coronary artery disease saw the attorney for plaintiff Paul Rouse ask for $8.5 million in damages to include future suffering.
Court grants fashion company Troy Burch partial summary judgment in trademark infringement case
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Nov. 2 granted a partial summary judgement to a fashion company suing a woman for allegedly using its logo to sell similar products on eBay.
Fort Lauderdale considers suing Big Oil amidst federal court rulings rejecting climate change theories
FORT LAUDERDALE (Legal Newsline) – The Fort Lauderdale City Commission is considering suing oil companies over the climate change activists say could raise sea coastal levels to catastrophic proportions.
Fla. court keeps TCPA case alive; Texting a 'risky venture' for companies
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on June 7 dismissed a motion by a defendant to dismiss a case alleging a man’s privacy rights were violated when he received texts that were marketing ploys.
Federal court agrees to reopen suit involving water-damaged restaurant
MIAMI – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on May 18 granted a retrial in the case of an insurance carrier who refused to pay for roof damage to a restaurant saying the damage was outside its coverage.
Attorneys don’t favor regulating third party lawsuit lenders
Add Teaser hereTALLAHASSEE – Attorneys said there is a likelihood Florida could adopt a state law requiring disclosure of finance lenders who loan money to plaintiffs in lawsuits as the state of Wisconsin recently did, but two noted they would not like to see the kind of regulation that banks have.
Fatal Bonita Springs plane crash could end bizarre harassment case
A plane crash that killed the plaintiff of a lawsuit just days after he was released from jail for violating a restraining order prohibiting him from allegedly harassing military veterans who accused him of falsifying military service could be the end of a bizarre case that has continued two years.
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Florida judge tells R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. to keep paying state for tobacco settlement
A spokesman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. remained mum in the face of a recent court setback after a Florida judge ordered the tobacco company to continue paying the state millions of dollars annually to offset medical costs caused by smoking despite R.J. Reynolds' selling off several of its best-known cigarette brands to a British firm.
Florida state senator sought to protect public's 'right to know'
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Sen. Rob Bradley said his lone vote opposing a newly passed bill that expanded exemptions allowing parties to meet in secret with an attorney to discuss imminent litigation if certain conditions were met---was an act of protecting public openness.
Federal appeals court affirms district court in securities fraud case
ATLANTA - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirmed Nov. 1 the dismissal of a complaint and denial of a motion to move the case to a Florida state court made by a broker accused of alleged securities fraud.
City of Coral Gables might join lawsuit against Florida Power & Light after Hurricane Irma
A class-action lawsuit filed earlier this month against Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) by citizens angered at what they contend was the company’s failure to take preventive measures to deal with Hurricane Irma on Sept. 11 may be joined in litigation by the City of Coral Gables.
Florida health care law firm steps up asset preservation efforts
DELRAY BEACH — Malpractice lawsuits and regulatory laws in Florida that impact doctors and other health care providers have been increasing in recent years, along with requests from health care professionals on how they can protect themselves, leading attorney firms specializing in the field to provide more services.