Michael Carroll News
DeSantis loses court bid to keep enforcing ban on school mask mandates
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis lost a legal battle this week as a Leon County district judge rejected the governor’s arguments that the state should be allowed to enforce a ban on local school districts imposing mask mandates while the issue is litigated.
Analysis calls on Florida to cut workers' comp premiums by 4.9% in 2022
A workers’ compensation data analysis recommends a 4.9% decrease in the workers’ comp insurance rates paid by Florida employers, suggesting that workplaces are becoming more safe.
DeSantis moves to appeal circuit ruling rejecting school mask mandate bans
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appealed a trial judge’s ruling that rejected the state Department of Education’s authority to ban local school districts from implementing COVID-19 mask mandates.
Leon County judge affirms governor's cut-off of federal jobless benefits
A state judge has rejected a request from 10 plaintiffs who sought a temporary injunction against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to opt out of supplemental federal unemployment benefits of $300 per worker per week.
Florida rule change shields top corporate officers from abusive deposition requests
The Florida Supreme Court last week adopted a change in the state’s civil procedure rules that increases protections for presidents, CEOs and other top corporate officials from having to sit for depositions.
Florida recovers $5 million in settlement over domestic violence funds
Florida officials announced a multimillion-dollar settlement last week in litigation filed against the Florida Coalition for Domestic Violence and the coalition’s president and CEO.
Uptick in Florida evictions expected after U.S. Supreme Court action
The U.S. Supreme Court pulled the plug on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s eviction ban this past week, putting renters in Florida and elsewhere at a greater risk of losing their current residences.
State judge upends DeSantis' ban on school mask mandates
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on school boards from enacting COVID-19 mask mandates under the banner of parents’ rights was ruled illegal by a Leon County judge Friday.
South Florida headlines new 'Everlasting Judicial Hellholes' report
South Florida’s recent placement on the American Tort Reform Association’s “Everlasting Judicial Hellholes” list has prompted a Florida small business group to urge state lawmakers to recommit themselves to key civil justice reforms.
Florida governor stands behind 'vaccine passport' ban despite U.S. Supreme Court ruling
The Florida Governor’s Office is standing behind a new state law that bans public agencies and businesses from mandating “vaccine passports” even though the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Indiana University’s vaccine mandate to remain in place.
Florida ADA lawsuits down sharply in 2021, new data shows
The filing of Americans With Disabilities Act lawsuits in Florida over issues such as inadequate access to buildings or websites declined more than 43% between mid-2019 and mid-2021, according to a tally by the Seyfarth Shaw law firm.
Judge rejects Jacksonville law school's request to restore federal student aid
A private Jacksonville law school’s future remained in doubt this month when a federal district judge rejected its request to restore the college’s participation in the federal student loan program.
Duval County school district paid teacher $300,000 to settle Black Lives Matter flag dispute
Duval County Public Schools this month agreed to pay a former teacher and her attorneys $300,000 to settle a federal lawsuit after the instructor was removed from her classroom position for refusing to remove a Black Lives Matter flag.
Florida parents sue to overturn governor's order precluding mask mandates in schools
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order stopping local school districts from imposing mask mandates to deal with the spike of COVID-19 cases in the state has prompted parents to seek an injunction against the order.
Gainesville votes to sue state, challenge new 'anti-riot' law
In a split vote, the Gainesville City Commission has directed private attorneys to file a lawsuit seeking a restraining order to stop the state from enforcing a section of House Bill 1, the new “anti-riot” law.
Florida seeks dismissal of Norwegian Cruise Line lawsuit over 'vaccine passports'
In the legal battle over Florida’s ban on COVID-19 “vaccine passports,” the state’s attorneys have urged a federal judge to dismiss Norwegian Cruise Line’s lawsuit to overturn the state law.
Florida test case in 3M military earplugs litigation dismissed with prejudice
A federal judge in Florida has dismissed with prejudice a test case involving allegations that service members’ use of 3M’s military earplugs resulted in hearing loss or tinnitus.
Florida officials hopeful that $26 billion opioid deal will help addicts
Florida will receive $1.6 billion over 17.5 years as a result of a multi-state opioid settlement with major pharmaceutical companies, according to the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
Novel 19th Amendment claim argued in continuing litigation over Florida felons' voting rights
The attorney representing two Black Florida women who are trying to restore their voting rights after serving felony sentences invoked a novel claim involving the 19th Amendment during oral arguments this month before a federal appeals court.
Environmental initiatives would give legal rights to Florida waterways, iconic animals
Florida environmentalists are moving to place five initiatives on the state ballot next year, including a constitutional amendment that would confer certain legal rights on Florida’s bodies of water.