Michael Carroll News
Class action filed on behalf of Broward businesses affected by water main break
Businesses forced to shut down temporarily after a work crew bored a hole into a key water main at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport are suing Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) for negligence over last year’s accident
New Florida law paves way for federal bill on endorsement income for college athletes
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has proposed a bill that would allow college athletes nationwide to earn money through endorsements – only a week after Florida’s governor signed similar legislation for its college athletes.
71% of Florida voters back coronavirus liability protections for business in new survey
More than seven in 10 Florida voters favor legislation that would protect the state’s businesses from being sued by people who claim they contracted COVID-19 after visiting a commercial enterprise, new poll results show.
Citizens Property Insurance sues suspended lawyer accused of serial litigation
The state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is suing a law firm recently identified by the Florida Bar as a serial bad actor in insurance litigation, arguing that multiple defendants’ conduct led to millions of dollars in losses for Citizens.
Local chief judges given more flexibility on restarting Florida jury trials
Efforts by Florida judicial officials to reopen court operations safely in the wake of the coronavirus remain a work in progress as the Florida chief justice granted more authority to local judges to determine when in-person jury trials can resume.
Court filing argues that officers' identities can be kept secret under 'Marsy's Law'
The Florida Police Benevolent Association is making a second attempt in a legal filing against the city of Tallahassee to get the Leon County Circuit Court to rule that the “Marsy’s Law” victims’ rights measure applies to police officers.
High court suspends Coral Gables lawyer whose firm filed thousands of property claims
The Florida Supreme Court this week approved an emergency suspension order sought by the Florida Bar against Coral Gables attorney Scot Strems, whose firm has filed thousands of first-party property claims against insurers.
Federal judge backs Alachua County in challenge to mask ordinance
GAINESVILLE – A federal judge has affirmed Alachua County’s authority to put in place a mandatory mask policy aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus.
Litigation driving disruptions in property insurance market, Florida senator warns
Abusive lawsuits driven by tag teams of trial attorneys and unscrupulous contractors are causing the Florida property insurance market to break down, raising the specter of a doubling of premium costs in the next three years.
Capitol Preferred sees litigation abuses behind need for rate hikes, cancellations
Capitol Preferred Insurance Co. blames litigation fraud and abuse, as well as recent hurricane losses, for its decision to increase rates on Florida property owners by more than 36 percent this year and to shed more than 20,000 policies.
Major parties in legal skirmish over Florida voting rules
A U.S. district judge has granted a request by the Republican National Committee and the Florida Republican Party to join a voting rights lawsuit as defendants, setting up a key swing-state court battle that could affect the outcome of the fall election.
Capitol Preferred losses, cancellations seen as product of pervasive civil litigation
Financial issues now facing a large Florida property insurer at the start of hurricane season are symptomatic of ballooning reinsurance rates and a relentless litigation environment, according to an industry representative.
Leon County lawsuit urges mail ballots to be default choice
A lawsuit filed in Leon County against the local elections supervisor and the secretary of state urges officials to make mail balloting the go-to method of voting in the state to deal with uncertainties about future coronavirus outbreaks.
Federal judge opens door for thousands of felons to vote in primary, general elections
A federal district judge has cleared the way for potentially hundreds of thousands of Floridians who have served sentences for felony offenses to vote in the swing state’s primary and general elections later this year.
Plaintiff's attorneys challenge AOB property insurance reform law
An assignment-of-benefits claim filed over hurricane damage to condo properties in Broward County may become the launch pad for an effort to overturn an AOB property insurance reform bill signed into law last year.
Appointment of Francis, Couriel expands Florida high court's diversity
MIAMI – Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded cultural diversity on the Florida Supreme Court and highlighted the concept of judicial restraint Monday when he named Caribbean-American Renatha Francis and Cuban-American John Couriel to fill two judicial vacancies.
Florida license plate statute can lead to 'absurd' traffic stops, judge says
A Florida appeals court judge has called on the state legislature to rethink the state's license plate visibility statute because it can result in “absurd” traffic stops by police officers.
Broward County chief judge hones procedures for online jury trials
With jury trials suspended until at least July 6 in Florida due to the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Circuit Judge Jack Tuter in Broward County has been spearheading a move to conduct such proceedings remotely.
Florida legal changes brought about by COVID-19 may be here to stay
New Florida legal procedures put in place during the coronavirus pandemic, such as a greater reliance on remote workforces and attending hearings using video-conferencing technology, will likely remain even after the crisis subsides.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals will fight bladder drug claims outlined in Florida lawsuit
Two Florida law firms are suing Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, over a plaintiff’s eye injuries that allegedly resulted from her taking a drug to treat bladder pain.