Michael Carroll News
Florida's 'vaccine passport' ban puts cruise line industry in troubled waters
The cruise line industry’s effort to emerge from a year-long COVID-19 closure remained adrift this month as cruise lines attempt to navigate conflicting directives from the state of Florida and federal health agency officials.
New Florida law raising age for tobacco, nicotine use seen as undermining local authority
Groups concerned with health issues offered a dire prognosis in the wake of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing of a bill that preempts local governments from regulating the marketing, sale or transportation of tobacco or nicotine goods.
Compact with Seminole Tribe will spark protracted lawsuits, gambling opponents say
Florida lawmakers on Wednesday approved a landmark gaming accord negotiated by the governor and the Seminole Tribe that will legalize mobile sports betting and provide Florida with $2.5 billion in additional revenues over the next five years, supporters say.
Florida law school fighting denial of federal student aid
The Florida Coastal School of Law (FCSL) this week said it would appeal a recent U.S. Department of Education decision blocking the Jacksonville campus from participating in the federal student aid program.
Chief justice relaxes mask-wearing rules at Florida courthouses
Florida Chief Justice Charles Canady has issued new directives ending mask-wearing and social distancing mandates in common areas of the state’s courthouses but leaving in place the COVID-19 health restrictions during in-person court proceedings.
3M planning to appeal $7.1 million damages award in military earplugs lawsuit
3M Co. is vowing to appeal a Pensacola jury’s $7.1 million damages award to three plaintiffs who argued the company’s military earplugs were defective and led to hearing loss among service members.
Governor urged to veto Florida auto insurance reform bill
Business groups are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a bill that would repeal the state’s no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) system , saying the proposal would raise auto rates and increase the number of uninsured drivers on the roads.
Business groups welcome death of Florida data privacy bills
Two consumer data privacy bills died in the Florida legislature during the final days of the 2021 session in what amounted to a win for business groups concerned about the bills’ potential litigation and financial burdens.
New Florida right-to-farm law adds new legal liability protections
Farmers and business groups hailed Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing into law an update of the state’s right-to-farm law that aims to better protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits as the state’s population grows and more people move to rural areas.
Florida Supreme Court rejects recreational marijuana initiative
A proposed ballot measure to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Florida has been invalidated by the state Supreme Court, which found the ballot summary and title misleading to voters.
Battle over data privacy bills comes down to the wire in Florida legislature
Florida lawmakers are racing to find common ground between competing data privacy bills as the legislative session draws to a close and businesses raise red flags about what they see as financial burdens and litigation issues in the bills.
Bill would allow unclaimed legal settlement funds to go to Florida nonprofits
A Florida bill allowing unclaimed class-action settlement funds to go to legal aid groups and other nonprofits sailed through a House panel earlier this month but likely won’t be passed in the current legislative session.
Hike in Florida workers' comp costs linked to medical, legal fees, study finds
Raising new questions about Florida’s legal climate, a workers compensation study found that costs per claims filed by Florida workers rose by 4 percent annually from 2014 to 2018 and then doubled to 8 percent in 2019/2020, just prior to the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.
Rate of homeowner insurance lawsuits filed in Florida outpaces all other states, new data shows
Florida residents opened more than three-fourths of all the homeowner insurance lawsuits filed in the U.S. in 2019, new data from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) shows.
Rep. Hastings lauded for his resilience, passion for equal justice
In his evolution from a 1960s civil rights attorney to impeached federal judge to longtime south Florida congressman, the life of Rep. Alcee Hastings was distinguished by passion and resilience, according to those who knew him.
Florida's anti-riot bill becomes law despite free-expression concerns
Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed into law a bill that supporters say will deter violent, unlawful assemblies in Florida, though critics have expressed concern that House Bill 1 will clamp down on free expression and peaceful protests.
Florida Senate passes property insurance bill designed to cut litigation costs
The Florida Senate has passed property insurance reforms aimed at holding the line on civil litigation costs that have burdened Florida insurers to the point of suffering an estimated $1.7 billion in losses in 2020.
Florida appeals court upholds penalties in law barring local firearms restrictions
Attorneys representing 26 Florida cities are reviewing a state appeals court ruling that rejected their arguments challenging a 2011 Florida law’s provision of civil penalties for officials who approve certain firearms restrictions.
Florida bill that would allow secret recordings of professors seen as fomenting litigation
A Florida bill could stifle discussions of controversial topics in university classrooms, erode academic freedom and lead to more campus-related civil litigation, according to a group that fights to protect free speech on college campuses.
Florida privacy bill's lawsuit provision dropped, but business group still has concerns
A Florida Senate panel has jettisoned a provision in a data privacy bill that would have allowed consumers to sue companies for mishandling their personal information, but the change was not enough for business groups to end their opposition to the legislation.