Michael Carroll News
Walgreens to defend against opioid allegations in Florida trial that unfolds this week
Walgreens and the Attorney General’s Office will square off in a jury trial beginning this week in New Port Richey in an attempt to determine the company’s role in the state’s opioid epidemic.
Hillsborough County tries again to advance transit tax amenable to Florida courts
Hillsborough County commissioners last week voted to make a second attempt at passing a transportation tax after the state Supreme Court overturned a previous tax plan approved by county voters in 2018.
Taxpayer group urges DeSantis to veto bill changing state tax audit rules
Business and a taxpayer-rights group are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a bill on his desk that critics say would increase the difficulties small businesses face in defending themselves when they are audited by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Gainesville college prevails in lawsuit over student fees charged during pandemic
An Alachua County judge has dismissed a Santa Fe College student’s lawsuit alleging that she should be reimbursed for college fees she paid when the college shifted to online instruction during the coronavirus pandemic.
Latest 3M military earplug trials in Florida net plaintiffs $58 million in damages
Two Florida juries on Friday delivered damages awards worth a collective $58 million to military veterans who argued that earplug manufacturer 3M Co. was liable for their hearing loss.
Governor questions legality of Fair Districts Florida constitutional amendments
Gov. Ron DeSantis has widened his challenge of Florida’s redistricting process this past week by saying the Fair Districts Florida constitutional amendments passed by voters more than a decade ago are inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution.
Florida's high court raises burden of proof for 'Engle progeny' plaintiffs
The Florida Supreme Court last week ratched up the burden of proof for a category of plaintiffs who are suing tobacco companies over smoking-related health problems.
Florida property insurers seeing year-after-year jumps in litigated claims
The number of lawsuits filed against Florida’s state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. rose by a third from 2020 to 2021 as Citizens took on a rising level of claims amid uncertainties in the state’s property insurance market.
Settlement talks under way in lawsuit seeking to roll back hunting on Florida refuges
A federal lawsuit that seeks to reduce currently allowed hunting and fishing opportunities at national wildlife refuges, including two in Florida, has been put on hold by a Montana district court.
Carlos Muniz elected chief justice of state Supreme Court, replacing Canady
Florida Supreme Court justice Carlos Muñiz will take over as chief justice from Charles Canady after his colleagues unanimously elected him to a two-year term beginning July 1.
Florida's high court rejects proposals seeking to expand affordable legal services
Florida is effectively abdicating a leadership role to improve and expand the delivery of legal services to keep up with technological advances, globalization and alternative business models.
Merging agendas of populist Republicans, trial lawyers worry tort-reform advocates
Tort-reform proponents are warning that increasing support among populist Republicans for legislation that encourages the filing of private lawsuits will create a drag on state economies, including Florida’s.
Palm Beach County's anti-panhandling ordinance challenged as unconstitutional
A legal-aid organization is suing Palm Beach County, arguing that its anti-panhandling ordinance violates First Amendment protections and should no longer be enforced against county residents.
Florida's high court OKs state legislative districts, but jury is out on congressional maps
In a show of unity with the legislative branch, the Florida Supreme Court last week declared lawmakers’ redistricting maps for state House and Senate districts valid, signaling likely agreement on the boundaries of those districts for the decade ahead.
Damages caps on larger Florida cities, counties would rise under amended Florida bill
A compromise plan to increase the amount of money a claimant can recover from a local government agency passed the Senate Rules Committee last month, but it has an uncertain future as the Florida legislative session winds down.
Florida Senate passes reform plan to curb abusive litigation over property insurance claims
Additional reforms to help Florida’s beleaguered property insurance industry passed the state Senate Thursday as industry officials expressed hope that the reforms would curb questionable roof claims and rein in what they see as abusive litigation.
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit over sugarcane burning in south Florida
Glades residents who alleged in a 2019 federal lawsuit that pre-harvest burning in nearby sugarcane fields leads to health-compromising air pollution have agreed to end their litigation with prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs cannot refile the same claim.
DeSantis moves to extend COVID-19 legal liability shield for health care facilities
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an extension of COVID-19 legal liability protections for health care providers such as nursing homes last week, gaining applause from business groups and supporters of tort reform alike.
Florida judge OKs injunction against release of actor Saget's autopsy photos, videos
An Orange County judge has granted a preliminary injunction against the release of photographs, video and audio recordings relating to the investigation of the death of actor Robert Saget at an Orlando hotel.
Christian nonprofit sues Tallahassee over homeless shelter permit denial
The operator of a transitional residential facility for homeless people in Tallahassee is alleging in a federal court that the city’s effort to shut the facility down flies in the face of the mission’s religious speech rights and religious beliefs.