Michael Carroll News
11th Circuit dismisses Zantac class-action lawsuit
Efforts to secure damages awards from the makers of the Zantac heartburn drug over the allegation that it contains carcinogens hit a roadblock earlier this month after a federal appeals court dismissed a proposed class action.
State courts' budget request includes $50 million for new 6th District courthouse
The Florida Supreme Court has approved a 2023-24 judicial branch budget request that includes tens of millions of dollars for salary increases and $50 million to build a courthouse for the newly created Sixth District Court of Appeal.
Ruling bars Orange County from enforcing rent-cap ballot measure
In the wake of a directive from a Florida appeals court, an Orange County circuit judge has barred county elections officials from certifying votes on a controversial rent-control measure and directed county officials not to enforce its provisions.
USF appeals to Florida Supreme Court to weigh in on campus fees charged students during pandemic
The University of South Florida (USF) is calling on the Florida Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court opinion that gave the go-ahead to a class-action lawsuit seeking refunds for campus service fees charged students during the coronavirus pandemic.
Florida voters to decide fate of Constitution Revision Commission on Nov. 8
Florida voters on Nov. 8 will decide whether to abolish the state’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), one of the main avenues to place constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot.
CNN seeks disclosure of who's funding Dershowitz's defamation suit
The issue of third-party litigation funding has taken center stage in the federal defamation case filed against CNN by legal scholar Alan Dershowitz, with CNN’s attorneys arguing that the funders of Dershowitz’s lawsuit are bent on “silencing” the cable news channel.
Chamber of Commerce panel aims to advance civil litigation reforms in Florida
Tort reform supporters seem buoyed by the formation of a new Florida Chamber of Commerce panel called the Council of General Counsels as well as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a second 2022 special legislative session to deal with the property insurance crisis.
Walmart legal settlement will provide opioid-overdose drug to Florida first-responders
Walmart will provide Florida first-responders with hundreds of thousands of medication kits that will counter opioid overdoses as a result of a settlement also providing $215 million for other opioid remediation efforts in the state.
Environmental groups suing to challenge aquaculture project off Sarasota County
Environmental groups have recently filed lawsuits challenging a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency permit allowing the operation of an aquaculture pilot project about 40 miles offshore from Sarasota County.
Jacksonville seeks to stay order to redraw City Council districts by Nov. 8
Citing time constraints for its 2023 municipal elections, Jacksonville is asking a federal court to stay an order that found the city’s new City Council and school board district maps are racially gerrymandered and must be redrawn by Nov. 8.
Parties in Orange County rent-cap dispute file attorney-fee motions
Both sides in a lawsuit challenging the legality of a proposed rent control initiative on Orange County’s Nov. 8 ballot have filed motions for reimbursement of attorney fees with the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Lawsuit challenges redevelopment plans for Miami's historic Coconut Grove Playhouse
Fourteen Miami-Dade County residents are suing the county over its redevelopment plans for the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse, arguing that county officials are attempting to use bond funds in a way that wasn’t authorized by county voters.
Survey of Florida college students, instructors shows tolerance for conservative views
The first round of state-mandated surveys of Florida college faculty and students produced a meager response and indicated students and faculty tend to view their campuses as equally tolerant of both conservative and liberal political viewpoints.
Federal injunction against Florida's 'vaccine passport' law overturned
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned an injunction won by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. that blocked Florida from enforcing a law barring the cruise line from requiring COVID-19 “vaccine passports.”
Free speech trial looms after U.S. Supreme Court rejects Miami commissioner’s petition
The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down a petition from Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo seeking a review of a federal lawsuit filed by two businessmen who accused him of free speech violations and retaliatory tactics.
Health care groups challenge budget provision allowing civil lawsuits over $15 wage
Three Florida health care groups are suing the state to stop officials from enforcing a provision of the 2022-23 Florida budget that would allow civil lawsuits against Medicaid providers that fail to pay certain workers at least $15 per hour.
Class action argues for equitable funding relief for FAMU, other Black colleges
Six Florida A&M University students have filed a class-action lawsuit against the state seeking to end alleged funding inequalities between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Florida schools, including Florida State University.
Hurricane Ian's destruction adds new challenges for Florida's property insurance market
Florida’s estimated $25 billion to $40 billion in insured losses caused by Hurricane Ian will place more financial pressures on an already stressed property insurance market, those in the industry warn.
Florida state senator's lawsuit challenges state appropriation for transporting migrants
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to charter a flight that transported about 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts was illegal under the Florida Constitution, according to a lawsuit filed by a Democrat Florida state senator.
Florida urges U.S. Supreme Court to resolve debate over state's social media restrictions
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of a 2021 Florida law limiting the ability of social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter to filter user comments.