Michael Carroll News
Juul Labs to pay Florida $79 million in settlement of lawsuit alleging its vape products were marketed to children
An e-cigarette company has agreed to pay $79 million to the state of Florida as part of a settlement of a lawsuit accusing Juul Labs Inc. of marketing its vape products in ways that targeted youths.
Tort reforms bringing benefits to average Floridians, consumer group's report finds
Florida insurance premium costs are dropping, the number of civil lawsuits being filed is decreasing, “nuclear verdicts” are becoming less common and more insurers are entering the Sunshine State, a new study on the impact of tort reforms concluded.
Court allows medical-malpractice lawsuit over Minor League Baseball player's death to move forward
A Florida court has rejected a bid to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the parents of a Minor League Baseball player who died of a heart condition even though a team doctor marked the player’s recent health evaluation as “normal.”
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Florida law that restricts minors' access to social media platforms
A federal district court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a new Florida law that requires social media companies to shield minor children from harmful online content and to bar certain youths from holding social media accounts.
Florida bill would shield herbicide, pesticide distributors, manufacturers from product-liability lawsuits
Critics of large damages payouts from lawsuits challenging the safety of pesticides and herbicides are supporting a Florida bill that would help to shield distributors, dealers, applicators and manufacturers of such products from civil litigation.
New Florida bills would undo lawsuit-abuse reforms passed in 2023, critics say
Several bills recently filed in the Florida Legislature would reverse legal reforms the state has put in place in recent years, sparking concern that litigation costs for businesses and consumers’ insurance costs could spike if the measures pass.
Judicial advocacy group accuses judge overseeing Depo-Provera MDL of sex bias
A judicial advocacy group that opposes “leftist lawfare” has lodged a conduct complaint against federal Judge M. Casey Rodgers of the Northern District of Florida, accusing the jurist of sex bias in statements involving the Depo-Provera multidistrict litigation (MDL).
ACC, Florida State agree to end legal disputes over sports-media rights and revenues
Florida State University and the Atlantic Coast Conference have resolved their dueling lawsuits in a settlement announced on Tuesday that increases revenue sharing for the schools with the highest viewership of athletic events and lowers the ACC’s exit fees.
University of Central Florida student among plaintiffs suing Trump administration over Venezuelan immigrant policy
A national immigrant rights group and several Venezuelan plaintiffs, including a University of Central Florida student, are suing the Trump administration over its move to cancel the temporary protected status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan immigrants.
Florida attorney general files class action against Target over its LGBTQ Pride campaign
The Florida Attorney’s Office has filed a class-action lawsuit against Target Corp., arguing that the retailer’s Board of Directors and CEO Brian Cornell failed to disclose financial risks related to its 2023 LGBT-Pride Campaign.
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.