Michael Carroll News
Federal judge blocks Florida law limiting social media companies' ability to edit content
A federal judge has blocked enforcement of a new Florida law restricting social media companies’ ability to edit and regulate content on their platforms and barring the speech of politicians.
U.S. Supreme Court ruling strengthens rights of coastal property owners
Florida beachfront property owners should feel somewhat more secure about their private property rights in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, according to an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation.
Homeowner files class action lawsuit over deadly Surfside condo collapse
The owner of a unit at the Surfside condo building that suffered a deadly collapse last month is suing the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association in a proposed class action that seeks $5 million in damages.
Judge's order will block CDC from enforcing cruise ship rules starting in July
A federal judge has blocked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from enforcing its COVID-19 safety guidelines for cruise ships operating out of Florida ports, representing a victory for the state in its litigation against the CDC.
Smoker's widow wins $2 million jury award in latest 'Engle progeny' case
A Palm Beach County jury has awarded the widow of a man who died from complications from smoking $2 million in punitive damages, representing another victory for plaintiffs in so-called “Engle progeny” cases.
Jury in latest 3M military earplug trial awards $1.7 million to veteran
A Pensacola jury has awarded $1.7 million to an Iraq War veteran who argued that he suffered hearing loss and tinnitus despite using 3M military earplugs during his Army service.
Florida property insurance reform bill seen as game-changer for industry
The Florida property insurance reforms signed into law earlier this month are already producing some encouraging signs that the market is in the process of recovering from rising litigation costs and premium rates, according to the state’s insurance commissioner.
Property insurance reform backers see new attorney fee rules as far-reaching
Florida’s property insurance market should stabilize in the wake of recent double-digit rate hikes as a reform bill’s new rules governing attorney fees take effect, according to those familiar with the reforms.
Appeals court blocks move to use discontinued pesticide in Florida citrus industry
A federal appeals court has rejected the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Jan. 12 approval of the use of a controversial pesticide on Florida citrus crops, citing the agency’s failure to follow federal law.
Appeals court raises privacy questions about Alachua County mask ordinance
A Florida appeals court has overruled a trial court’s finding that there was no legal basis to grant an injunction against a COVID-19 mask mandate put in place in Alachua County last year.
DeSantis signs bill addressing insurance litigation and other cost drivers
Business groups thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday for signing a bill that they say will help to clamp down on both property insurance rate hikes and costly insurance litigation in Florida.
Upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling may benefit Florida's coastal property owners
A California case now before the U.S. Supreme Court could strengthen the rights of Florida’s coastal property owners when issues of public access to beaches arise, according to the attorney for the petitioners.
Social media companies sue to overturn new Florida law that bans 'deplatforming'
Trade groups representing large social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter are suing Florida officials in federal court in a bid to overturn a new law that prohibits the companies from “deplatforming” political candidates.
R.J. Reynolds urges Florida high court could do a reset on tobacco litigation
The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments this month in the potentially far-reaching case of John Price, a smoker who sued the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., arguing that his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the result of an addiction to cigarettes.
Florida high court reprimands attorney over conduct in 2018 judicial campaign
The Florida Supreme Court has reprimanded an unsuccessful judicial candidate for implying that incumbent Judge Robert Landt in Marion County had a bias against law enforcement and favored criminals in his rulings.
Florida Supreme Court ruling leaves medical marijuana licensing system intact for now
Florida’s wide-ranging licensing provisions for medical marijuana treatment centers remain in place as a result of a state Supreme Court ruling last week that went against a challenge by the Florigrown LLC treatment center.
Florida to end federal COVID-19 supplemental benefit for jobless workers
Florida is pulling the plug on the $300-per-week supplemental unemployment insurance benefit the federal government has provided to laid-off workers during the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) said.
Florida lawsuits over alleged construction defects seen as threatening industry
Florida’s construction industry says it’s being pummeled by civil lawsuits alleging structural defects even as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed COVID-19 legal liability reforms for businesses and health care providers earlier this year.
Florida ACLU sues secretary of state over latest initiative reform
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit against a newly enacted law imposing a $3,000 cap on individual contributions in support of ballot initiatives, arguing that it violates free speech rights.
Florida Realtors sues to overturn CDC's national eviction ban
Florida Realtors is suing the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a bid to get relief from what the group calls an unlawful nationwide moratorium on evictions put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.