Michael Carroll News
U.S. Justice Department, City of Tampa resolve lawsuit over parental leave for male workers
The U.S. Justice Department and the City of Tampa have resolved a lawsuit filed by the department that accused the city of discrimination against scores of male employees who were denied the level of parental leave provided to women employees.
3 Florida teachers file federal lawsuit challenging new state law restricting pronoun use in public schools
A new Florida law restricting teachers’ use of pronouns and titles in public schools amounts to sex discrimination and violates the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws, a federal lawsuit filed by three Florida educators alleges.
FSU files lawsuit to leave Athletic Coast Conference
Florida State University is suing the Atlantic Coast Conference in state court, alleging that FSU should be allowed to withdraw from the collegiate athletic organization after ACC dropped the ball on generating revenues for its members.
Researchers report orchestrated high-tech campaign to assault Florida insurance firms with lawsuits
A tsunami of technology-generated litigation has been pummeling Florida insurance companies in recent years, contributing to the liquidation of six property insurers in the state in 2022, according to insurance researchers.
Florida lawsuit alleges suspension of state attorney Monique Worrell overturned will of people
Several plaintiffs are suing Gov. Ron DeSantis over his suspension of the Orlando-area state attorney earlier this year, arguing that the governor’s action flies in the face of the voters’ will and violates constitutional rights.
Florida bill would clarify which fantasy sports contests are legal
A Florida lawmaker has introduced a measure to legalize certain fantasy sports contests in the wake of the Florida Gaming Control Commission calling on some gaming companies to throw in the towel on their fantasy sports games.
Bipartisan bill would allow more surviving family members to seek punitive damages in wrongful death cases
A bipartisan effort is under way in the Florida Legislature to remove long-standing restrictions on the awarding of punitive damages in wrongful death cases involving medical negligence.
Medical marijuana firm seeks to counter cannabis legalization ballot measure
Signs of discord between medical marijuana advocates and recreational cannabis supporters are emerging in a legal battle now before the Florida Supreme Court that will determine whether the Smart & Safe initiative goes before state voters.
Panera Bread facing wrongful death lawsuit over 'Charged Lemonade'
The family of a 46-year-old Florida man has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Panera Bread Co., alleging that the man’s consumption of large quantities of the bakery chain’s caffeinated lemonade beverage led to his cardiac arrest.
Florida attorney general launches antitrust probe of College Football Playoff panel
Florida’s attorney general has issued a subpoena to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee to find out why undefeated Florida State University (FSU) was left out of the NCAA national championship playoffs.
State appeals court upholds DeSantis-backed congressional map
A Florida appeals court has reversed a lower court finding that the state’s congressional map signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis flies in the face of the state constitution because it diminishes the voting power of Black Floridians.
Victim's rights law doesn't shield police officers' identities, Florida high court says
A measure that gives crime victims the right to bar disclosure of information that could be used to harass victims or their families does not shield the release of police officers’ names when officers use lethal force to defend themselves, the state’s high court said.
Bill would bar state, local governments from recognizing transgender Floridians' pronouns
A newly introduced Florida bill would bar state and local agencies and nonprofit groups that receive state funds from recognizing an employee’s preferred gender pronouns if they differ from the individual’s biological sex.
Tort reforms help Florida to shed its 'Judicial Hellhole' designation
Florida has been a regular in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s annual Judicial Hellholes report for decades, but the latest ATRF report removed Florida from the dishonorable designation, citing recent legal reforms signed into law.
Washington Post challenges Florida law that shields governor's travel records
A Washington Post lawsuit to force the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to comply with a series of public document requests has evolved into an effort to overturn a newly passed law banning the release of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ travel records.
Florida judge refuses to dismiss Tesla lawsuit on automated-driving technology
A Palm Beach County circuit judge has denied Tesla’s motion to dismiss a wrongful death case brought by the widow of a Lake Worth Beach man who died in a collision while driving a Tesla Model 3 equipped with an Autopilot system.
Florida attorneys filed nearly 54,000 auto glass lawsuits in first 9 months of 2023, despite reforms
Nearly 54,000 auto glass lawsuits were filed in Florida during the first three quarters of 2023 despite the passage of recent legal reform measures, far outpacing the level of such litigation in any recent year, new data shows.
Florida high court blocks pari-mutuel firms' bid to halt online sport betting
The Florida Supreme Court has turned down a motion by pari-mutuel companies to block the Seminole Tribe’s plan to restart its mobile sports-betting operations pending the outcome of ongoing litigation over the state’s 2021 gambling compact.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Florida's request to allow enforcement of drag-show law
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined the state of Florida’s application to partially block a lower court ruling that prevents Florida from enforcing a new state law barring minors from attending live drag shows.
Federal lawsuit challenges Florida directive to deactivate Palestinian student groups
A University of Florida Palestinian student group has filed a lawsuit against the State University System’s chancellor seeking to block a directive to shut down UF’s chapter of National Students for Justice in Palestine.