Michael Carroll News
Citizens groups challenge state Supreme Court to overturn Florida Power & Light rate hike
Several citizens groups are urging the Florida Supreme Court to overturn an electricity rate increase for Florida Power & Light (FPL) approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) in January.
Opioid litigation tactics questioned as Florida Walgreens trial advances
As the state of Florida and Walgreens face off in a trial over liability issues in the opioid epidemic, tort reform supporters are raising questions about whether protracted litigation is the best way to deal with such a complex social problem.
Appeals court orders dismissal of class action over Miami Dade College's online instruction
A Florida appeals court has rejected the basis of a class action lawsuit brought by a Miami Dade College (MDC) student who sought to recover mandatory student fees after the college switched to remote instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida has cut trial court case backlog by nearly 30%, chief justice reports
Florida’s court system has reduced the backlog of trial court cases accumulated since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic by nearly 30% as the judiciary moves toward a “new normal,” the state’s chief justice said in an annual address this month.
Local elections officials warn of time crunch in congressional redistricting process
Florida elections supervisors are warning that the timeline to conduct the state’s primary election in August will be tight once the Legislature and governor agree on a new redistricting congressional map and court challenges are resolved.
Federal class action alleges Burger King ad misrepresentations are Whoppers
A federal class action lawsuit filed in Florida alleges that Burger King advertisements exaggerate the size of the company’s meat patties in violation of state consumer protection laws around the nation.
Arbitration mandates seen as way to reduce litigated property insurance claims in Florida
Florida insurance officials have reacted positively to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s (FOIR) recent decision to allow a property insurance company to mandate mediation or arbitration in claims disputes in return for homeowner rate reductions.
Latest military earplugs verdict in Florida multidistrict litigation sides with 3M
3M Co. moved to even out its win-loss record in the ongoing federal litigation over military earplugs as a Pensacola jury last week found the company was not liable for the plaintiff’s hearing loss and tinnitus.
Florida's environmental agency OKs closure plan to close former fertilizer plant site
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved a closure plan that it says will permanently eliminate toxic discharge problems at Piney Point, an industrial site that once housed a phosphate fertilizer plant.
Florida officials plan to appeal federal judge's rejection of state's new election law
Florida officials plan to appeal a federal district court opinion that found Senate Bill 90, an overhaul of voting rules passed last year, was unconstitutional and that most of its provisions cannot be enforced.
UF English professor sues administrators, alleges suppression of free speech
Another University of Florida professor is suing the university over academic freedom issues after he allegedly received conflicting directives about online instruction during the fall semester and was placed on involuntary administrative leave for “disruptive” behavior.
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.