Michael Carroll News
Litigation financing transparency bill fails to pass Florida Legislature
Tort reform supporters are expressing disappointment over the failure of the Florida Legislature to pass a bill that would have shed more light on third-party litigation financing agreements and their potential relationships with foreign entities.
Florida lawmakers stop short of passing bill that would have made it harder to sue businesses that pollute
This year’s Florida legislative session ended on Friday with lawmakers declining to pass a bill that would have restricted lawsuits seeking economic damages or damages for personal injuries under the provisions of a state water-quality law.
Florida local government officials sue to overturn new financial disclosure law
Scores of elected local government officials in Florida are suing members of the state Commission on Ethics in a bid to block stricter financial disclosure rules that the officials say would impair their privacy rights under the state’s constitution.
Federal judge sides with Florida over legality of 2021 election law after being reversed by appeals court
Federal District Judge Mark Walker has effectively ended efforts by voting rights groups to overturn parts of a 2021 Florida election law after an appeals court rejected Walker’s previous decision concluding the law violated the rights of Black voters.
Florida woman's death after colon cancer surgery prompts lawsuit over robotic medical device
A Florida man whose wife died after undergoing colon cancer surgery using a multi-armed, remote-controlled robotic device is suing the manufacturer, alleging that the California-based company designed and marketed a defective and dangerous product.
Appeals court blocks Florida from enforcing property restrictions against 2 Chinese citizens
Two plaintiffs who are challenging the constitutionality of a Florida law that restricts Chinese citizens from owning property in the state won a temporary injunction earlier this month barring state officials from enforcing the law against them.
New kind of patent lawsuits soaring in Southern District of Florida, new analysis finds
Federal patent-infringement lawsuits aimed at defendants whose identities are kept hidden have shot up 167% from 2022 to 2023 in the Southern District of Florida, raising due-process concerns for the businesses and individuals affected by such filings.
Florida lawmakers table plan to use public funds to help pay for Trump's legal bills
A proposal that would allow Florida officials to provide up to $5 million in public funds to former President Donald Trump to help finance his legal bills has been sidelined in the current legislative session.
Florida lawmakers propose banning youth under 16 from social media
The Florida House of Representatives recently passed a measure barring minors under 16 years of age from having social media accounts, but a tech industry association predicts the bill would face litigation if signed into law.
Florida bill would allow police officers to seek victim protection under Marsy's Law
In response to a recent state Supreme Court decision, a Florida lawmaker has proposed measures that would restore the right of crime victims, including on-duty police officers, not to have their names disclosed to the public.
Federal judge dismisses free-speech lawsuit filed by Disney against DeSantis
Disney Parks and Resorts said it will appeal a recent federal court ruling dismissing the company’s free-speech lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state Department of Economic Opportunity secretary and members of the special district overseeing Disney.
Family of woman attacked, drowned by gator sues senior housing complex
The family of a resident of the Spanish Lakes Fairways retirement community in Fort Pierce is suing the development’s owner for wrongful death after their mother was attacked and drowned by an alligator last year.
Florida lawmakers proposing bills to mandate disclosure of third-party litigation funding
A Florida measure is advancing in the state Legislature that would require the disclosure of third-party litigation funding agreements in civil lawsuits, limit what investors could recover through damages awards and boost transparency of foreign financial interests.
Unlicensed Florida vacation rentals creating tax evasion concerns, new study finds
The growing problem of unlicensed vacation rentals in Florida is costing the state millions per year in lost revenue and threatening the safety of both renters and their neighbors, according to a new report from Florida TaxWatch.
Miami business owners file new lawsuit calling for Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo's ouster
Two Miami businessmen who last year won a damages award of more than $63 million against Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo for free-speech violations are now suing in state court to have Carollo removed from his elective office.
Motion to dismiss federal lawsuit challenging book removals from Escambia County school libraries rejected
A federal judge has given plaintiffs challenging the removal of books from library shelves in Escambia County public schools the green light to move forward on a First Amendment lawsuit.
Florida property insurance lawsuits appear on downward trajectory, new study finds
A new state report points to signs that recent tort reforms aimed at reducing litigated property insurance claims are gaining traction, but industry officials caution that more time is needed before any victory can be declared in the current insurance crisis.
Suspended Florida prosecutor's lawsuit against DeSantis can go forward, appeals court says
A federal appeals court has breathed new life into a lawsuit filed by a Hillsborough County prosecutor who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis over statements related to abortion issues and trans gender health care, as well as his prosecution policies.
Florida woman who said she was raped by Lyft driver files federal lawsuit
A Florida woman who said she was repeatedly raped by a Lyft driver almost five years ago and then endured a problematic pregnancy is suing the ride-share company for compensatory and punitive damages.
Florida Legislature won't pursue judicial circuit consolidation this year, House speaker says
The state Legislature will not consider a proposal to consolidate judicial circuits in Florida this year after the state Supreme Court and a judicial assessment committee concluded consolidation would neither save money nor improve the judicial process.