Michael Carroll News
Jury verdicts in December yield mixed results for 3M in military earplugs litigation
Recent Florida jury verdicts in cases alleging defects in 3M Co.’s military earplugs proved a mixed bag for the company, with a Tallahassee jury awarding an Army veteran $21 million for injuries suffered while wearing the devices.
Accreditation panel to conduct on-site review of UF academic freedom policies
An initial review by an accreditation commission may have found evidence supporting allegations that the University of Florida has stifled professors’ academic freedom and free expression.
Environmentalists, city of Bradenton seek to avert federal lawsuit over sewage spills
The city of Bradenton is negotiating with environmental groups that have vowed to file a federal lawsuit against the city in January unless the city takes steps to avert repeated sewage spills into surrounding waterways.
Florida appeals court affirms judge's 2020 opinion rejecting federal eviction moratorium
An Escambia County judge’s decision last year to effectively overrule a federal agency’s eviction moratorium during the height of the coronavirus pandemic has been vindicated by a Florida appeals court.
Florida gaming initiative sponsor alleging interference in petition-gathering process
Supporters of an initiative that would allow the construction of a North Florida casino have dropped their legal motion for a temporary restraining order against groups and individuals who allegedly interfered with petition-gathering efforts.
Miami jury finds Bitcoin developer won't have to pay out billions in intellectual property case
The self-described founder of the digital currency Bitcoin will not have to pay tens of billions of dollars to the estate of a former associate as a result of a recent Miami jury trial that sorted out intellectual property claims.
Florida legislature tops 'Watch' list in new 'Judicial Hellholes' report
Although Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Supreme Court have helped the state shed its “Judicial Hellhole” status, the state legislature’s failure to pass key justice reforms this year led a reform group to place the lawmakers on its “Watch" list.
Bill would give Florida businesses a means to sue local agencies for profit losses
A bill is advancing in the Florida legislature that would allow businesses to sue local governments for damages if their profits or revenues drop 15% as a result of a local government regulation
UF Board of Trustees chief rebukes professors suing university over free speech issues
The chairman of the University of Florida Board of Trustees last week sharply criticized several professors who filed a lawsuit challenging the school’s policies on academic freedom and faculty members’ outside activities.
Seminole Tribe suspends gaming app operations after appeals court ruling
In a split decision, a federal appeals court has rejected an emergency request by the Seminole Tribe of Florida to suspend the judgment of a lower court that ruled the tribe’s new sports gaming pact with Florida violates federal law.
Duval Schools report cited terminated teacher for instances of poor judgment
A former Jacksonville high school teacher who was terminated earlier this year after settling a federal free-speech lawsuit against the district for $300,000 repeatedly exercised poor judgment and ignored administration directives, according to a district investigative report.
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.