Michael Carroll News
Florida high court allows veteran lawmaker to run for state Senate seat despite term limits
The Florida Supreme Court has overruled a decision by the Secretary of State’s Office, concluding that the state’s term-limit rules allow state Rep. Deborah Mayfield to run in a special election for the state Senate seat she held for eight years.
Depo-Provera contraceptive lawsuits to be consolidated in Northern District of Florida
About 70 federal lawsuits alleging that the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera causes an increased risk of developing a type of brain tumor will be consolidated in the Northern District of Florida, a judicial panel decided on Feb. 7.
Tort reform advocates: More changes needed to right Florida's 'economic boat'
Despite progress in passing tort reforms in recent sessions of the state Legislature, Floridians pay on average $1,238 per person in the form of a “tort tax” that eradicates almost 240,000 jobs annually around the state, tort reform advocates said Thursday.
Florida VW, Audi dealers sue Scout Motors, alleging violation of franchising law
Volkswagen and Audi dealers in Florida are suing Virginia-based Scout Motors for moving forward with direct sales of its sport-utility vehicles to customers – an action the dealers allege violates the state’s Motor Vehicle Dealer Act.
DeSantis, business leaders bullish on insurance market trends, rate decreases
Florida’s insurance market, which has been battered by active hurricane seasons, excessive litigation and spiraling rates, is undergoing a turnaround, the governor said last week as he touted premium decreases and more insurers moving into the state.
Florida bill would increase limits on damages claims against local governments
A Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation that would likely increase civil damages payouts by local government agencies such as cities and give those agencies more flexibility to settle claims without approval from the state Legislature.
2 former employees of Miami nonprofit accuse commissioner of misusing public funds
Two former employees of a Miami nonprofit that oversees two downtown parks have filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit against Commissioner Joe Carollo, accusing him of funneling public funds to political allies and shielding improper accounting practices
DeSantis sued for not promptly scheduling special elections to replace 2 GOP state lawmakers
Although Gov. Ron DeSantis has been scheduling special elections to fill some vacant Florida positions created by several officials being tapped for posts in the Trump administration, a new lawsuit claims the governor has been too slow to act.
Hillsborough County judge sides with paramedic who was fired for using medicinal marijuana
A paramedic and medical marijuana patient is entitled to back pay, compensatory damages and reimbursement of attorney fees from Hillsborough County after he was wrongfully terminated from his job, a judge ruled last month.
Judge orders Miami Beach to restore two-way traffic on iconic Ocean Drive
Advocates of making the streets of Miami Beach more bike- and pedestrian-friendly expressed shock and disappointment at a recent court ruling ordering the city to remove bike lanes and restore two-way vehicle traffic on Ocean Drive.
DeSantis names state Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill Rubio's U.S. Senate seat
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday appointed state Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the U.S. Senate seat of Marco Rubio, who has been tapped by President-elect Trump to become secretary of state.
Titusville environmental group wants appeals court to rethink its rejection of clean-water charter amendment
A Titusville environmental group has filed a motion for a rehearing in the wake of the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal’s ruling that a city charter amendment can’t be enforced because state law bars the granting rights to bodies of water.
Florida bill would bar 'unauthorized aliens' from filing civil lawsuits
A bill authored by a state representative who is running for Congress would bar “unauthorized aliens” from filing civil lawsuits in Florida, a move that immigrant-rights advocates say is unconstitutional and would harm the integrity of the justice system.
Florida appellate court rejects clean-water measure backed by Titusville voters
A 2022 city of Titusville ballot measure that allows residents to file civil lawsuits on behalf of local water bodies flies in the face of state law and cannot be enforced, a Florida appeals court said in December.
Jury delivers $310 million damages award in death of teen on Orlando Free Fall ride
An Orange County jury last month awarded the parents of a young Missouri teen $310 million in damages after the teen fell several hundred feet to his death from the Free Fall ride at an Orlando amusement park.
Judge rejects Florida agency's bid to dismiss lawsuit over manatee deaths
A federal judge has sided with the group Bear Warriors United in rejecting Florida’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that the state’s oversight of wastewater discharges in Central Florida has led to the death of hundreds of manatees.
Plaintiffs challenge Florida's age-verification requirement to access online sexual content
Free-speech advocates and adult-content providers are suing Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to bar her from enforcing a new state law requiring online platforms with sexual content to verify that their users are at least 18 years old.
Orange County's lame duck elections chief loses bid to fast-track lawsuit over funding
Orange County’s top elections official last week lost a bid to speed up court proceedings to determine whether Orange County officials must release a December funding allocation to the elections supervisor amid a dispute over spending.
Sarasota County lawsuit over contaminated Boar`s Head liverwurst settled
Boar’s Head Brand and the family of a Holocaust survivor who died from a listeria infection after eating the company’s canned deli food have settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed in Sarasota County.
Fort Lauderdale, protester injured by rubber bullet settle lawsuit for $1.97 million
A woman who suffered facial injuries from a rubber bullet fired by a Fort Lauderdale police officer during a demonstration in 2020 has settled her federal civil-rights lawsuit against the city for nearly $2 million.