Michael Carroll News
D.C. federal judge says no dice to Seminole Tribe gambling pact
A federal judge last week scrapped the $2.5 billion-dollar compact between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe, saying that it violated federal law by allowing online wagering off of tribal lands.
UF task force recommendations fail to protect professors' academic freedom, attorneys say
A University of Florida task force’s recommendations on when faculty members can serve as expert witnesses in lawsuits that involve the state failed to satisfy professors who are suing the school over its conflict-of-interest policies.
Holland & Knight law firm sued in latest chapter of Laser Spine Institute saga
The founder of the former Tampa-based Laser Spine Institute, whose offices were closed as a result of lawsuits that led to hundreds of workers losing their jobs, is suing the law firm Holland & Knight for failing to provide basic standards of care.
Litigated property insurance claims in Florida ticked upward in October, study finds
Litigated property insurance claims in Florida rose 5% from September to October, a volume that is still 39% below this year’s high point in July but has still raised concerns among those hoping to see fewer claims after reforms were passed in July.
Florida sues Biden administration over vaccine mandate for health care industry
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing the Biden administration over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for nursing home staffs and other health care professionals, arguing that it would worsen the industry’s current worker shortage.
Florida legislature passes bills to counter vaccine mandates during special session
Business groups remained upbeat as Florida lawmakers passed a series of bills to counter COVID-19 mandates in the state during a special session this week called by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In-N-Out turns down Florida invitation in wake of dispute over COVID-19 vaccine policy
Gov. Ron DeSantis encouraged In-N-Out Burger earlier this month to do some business in Florida after the fast-food company sparred with Northern California health officials over COVID-19 vaccination policies.
Three more plaintiffs join lawsuit over UF policy on faculty's outside activities
Three more plaintiffs were added this week to a federal lawsuit challenging the University of Florida’s conflict-of-interest policy as an affront to professors’ academic freedom and freedom of speech.
Military earplugs litigation against 3M produces split jury verdicts
The continuing litigation in Florida over whether 3M Co. is liable for injuries sustained by military personnel who were wearing earplugs manufactured by the company produced split jury verdicts over the past week.
Florida school districts appeal opinion affirming parental choice in student mask wearing
Several Florida school districts are appealing an administrative law judge’s decision upholding the state Department of Health’s rule that allows parents to send their children to school without masks intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Florida petitions 11th Circuit to stop OSHA's private-sector vaccine mandate
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has petitioned a federal appeals court to stop the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from requiring private employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Professors file federal lawsuit over University of Florida's policy on faculty's outside activities
Three University of Florida political science professors have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a university policy that allowed administrators to initially bar the plaintiffs from testifying against the state’s new voting rights law.
Senator will push for more property insurance reforms in coming Florida legislative session
State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Brandenton) is vowing to push for further property insurance reforms in Florida in the next legislative session after a federal court issued a preliminary injunction against part of an insurance bill signed into law this year.
Florida files lawsuit challenging federal vaccine mandate for contractor workforce
Florida last week filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for millions of employees who work for federal government contractors, calling the federal plan an unlawful application of administrative law.
UF bars three professors from being paid expert witnesses in election law challenge
Three University of Florida professors have secured legal counsel in the wake of the university’s decision to deny their requests to act as paid expert witnesses in a lawsuit challenging the state’s new voting rights law.
Pensacola jury in military earplugs trial finds 3M not liable for veteran's injuries
A Pensacola jury last week found that 3M Corp. bears no liability in the case of a U.S. Army veteran who alleged that the company’s military earplugs caused her hearing loss and tinnitus.
State attorney general backs first-responders fighting Orange County vaccine mandate
The Florida attorney general has sided with first-responders in Orange County who filed a lawsuit this month challenging a local policy that requires county employees to get the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.
Jury sides with Pembroke Pines in dispute over cancellation of detention facility
A Broward County jury sided with the city of Pembroke Pines in its decade-long legal battle with the town of Southwest Ranches over the town’s allegation that city torpedoed plans for a federal immigration detention facility to be built in the town.
Florida lawmakers want redistricting records subject to open-records statutes
In a bid to head off any potential partisan gerrymandering, two state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would broaden Florida’s open-records laws to cover lawmakers’ records and communications relating to redistricting.
Palm Beach judge dismisses COVID-19 patient's petition to get ivermectin
A Palm Beach circuit judge has denied a seriously ill COVID-19 patient’s request for a court order to obtain the drug ivermectin, but her husband’s attorney has vowed to appeal the case.