Michael Carroll News
Leaked coronavirus panel's report urges Florida to restrict restaurant, bar capacity
A new White House Coronavirus Task Force report labels Florida a red zone for coronavirus cases and calls on authorities to ramp up mitigation efforts, including restaurant capacity limits and mask mandates that Gov. Ron DeSantis seems to have ruled out.
Florida businesses facing unemployment tax hike next year
The minimum unemployment tax rate paid by Florida business will shoot up by nearly 200 percent in the new year, adding to businesses’ financial burdens during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Lockheed Martin seeks to dismiss class action over chemicals including PFAS; Says no evidence of harm
Lockheed Martin Corp. is defending itself against lawsuits alleging that its Missiles and Fire Control facility mishandled chemicals, including perfluoroalkyls, or PFAs, leading to long-term ground and water chemical contamination.
Legal reforms help Florida to exit 'Judicial Hellholes' list
Florida has improved its civil litigation environment enough to avoid being listed as a “Judicial Hellhole,” although the Sunshine State remains on the American Tort Reform Association's “watch list,” according to an ATRA report released this week.
Construction firm facing flurry of lawsuits over Pensacola Bay Bridge closure
Lawsuits on behalf of scores of local businesses and individuals have been filed against the construction firm Skanska USA, whose barges became unmoored during Hurricane Sally and caused crippling damage to a key commuter bridge.
Florida supermarket chain sued over employee's COVID-19 death
The family of a Miami Beach deli worker who died of coronavirus in April is suing Publix Super Markets Inc., accusing the employer of negligence because it prohibited workers from wearing masks during the onset of the pandemic.
4th Florida Bar complaint filed against Coral Gables attorney
The Florida Bar has filed its fourth complaint against Miami-Dade County attorney Scot Strems, alleging that Strems and the Strems Law Firm (SLF) engaged in a pattern of duplicitous behavior and subterfuge to enroll property owners into legal services.
Federal lawsuit could frustrate Florida bid to import drugs from Canada
A federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., by a trade association of pharmaceutical manufacturers could obstruct an effort by Florida officials to get federal approval to import drugs from Canada at lower costs.
Federal court panel rejects Florida local governments' bans on conversion therapy
In a 2-to-1 decision, a federal appeals court panel last has held that Boca Raton and Palm Beach County ordinances banning counseling aimed at changing a minor’s gender identity or sexual orientation violate the First Amendment.
Florida online bar exam results on par with with past exams, board reports
The passage rate for law school graduates taking the Florida bar exam for the first time in October was 71.7 percent – a rate that is on par with in-person bar exams since 2016, according to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.
Florida utility regulators seek power to make some hearings confidential
Members of the Florida panel that regulates utilities have expressed support for legislation that would allow them to restrict public access to certain hearings of interest to ratepayers.
Paper mill's discharge into Perdido Bay gets legal review
A retired marine biologist has filed a legal challenge against a Cantonment paper mill owner and the state Department of Environmental Protection over a consent order she says is insufficient to protect Perdido Bay against industrial pollution.
Florida Chamber hones priorities for coming legislative session
The Florida state legislature met Tuesday in an organizational prelude to the upcoming legislative session, with new leaders taking their posts and interest groups honing their legislative priorities for the coming year.
Orange County rights-of-nature measure's passage may ramp up litigation
Critics of a legal concept known as rights of nature expect renewed litigation in the wake of Orange County voters overwhelmingly approving a charter amendment that confers such rights on two local rivers.
Florida attorney general urges rejection of legal challenge to red-light camera program
The state Supreme Court should reject an appeal that argues a local red-light camera program flies in the face of Florida traffic statutes, Attorney General Ashley Moody states in a brief filed earlier this month.
Florida open-primary measure survives legal challenge but falls short on election day
The open-primary constitutional amendment on Florida’s Nov. 3 ballot garnered 57 percent of the vote, falling just short of the 60 percent threshold for such measures, according to the preliminary ballot count.
Florida online bar exam called successful after thousands take part
After several missteps in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners declared victory in the administration of an online bar exam last month.
Litigation cited as key factor in Florida's property insurance meltdown
Battered by natural disasters and the man-made peril of frivolous and sometimes fraudulent litigation, Florida’s property insurance industry now finds itself burdened by financial losses and seeking rate hikes.
Florida voters approve attorney-backed measure to boost minimum wage
Florida voters cast ballots in record numbers in Tuesday’s general election, with election officials pointing to an efficient vote count that wrapped up quickly on Election Day and business owners expressing concern over a minimum wage hike backed by attorneys.
Doctor, medical facility accused of 'reckless, intentional' COVID-19 transmission
A nonprofit group that provides medical services in the Miami area is pushing back against allegations in a lawsuit brought by a nurse practitioner who was hospitalized with COVID-19 due to what she said were life-threatening work situations.