Michael Carroll News
Judge blocks provision of law that criminalizes transportation of migrants in Florida
A federal court judge has blocked Florida officials from enforcing a section of a law passed last year that subjects anyone who transports people known to have unlawfully entered the United States to felony charges.
Insurer sues to recover legal payments for Miami commissioner's defense
An insurance company that has paid out millions of dollars to the city of Miami to cover Commissioner Joe Carollo’s legal fees in a series of lawsuits is suing the city in federal court to claw back those funds.
Panera restaurants pull Charged Lemonades from their menus in the wake of lawsuits
Panera restaurants plan to remove their Charged Lemonade beverages from menus in the wake of two wrongful-death lawsuits filed against the company by the families of customers who consumed the drinks, including a Florida man.
Florida family sues South Carolina college, alleging repeated acts of hazing
The Florida family of a College of Charleston student is suing the South Carolina college, a fraternity and eight fraternity members over repeated hazing activities that allegedly led to the student being hospitalized with severe facial hives and rashes.
'Nuclear verdicts' in Florida last year totaled $492 million, new study finds
Florida jury awards exceeding $10 million over the years 2009 to 2023 amounted to a total payout of $33.2 billion, making the Sunshine State second in the nation in terms of the combined value of these so-called “nuclear verdicts.”
2 Florida insurers accused of using inexperienced or unlicensed claims adjusters to 'lowball' damages claims
Recent lawsuits filed in southern Florida have accused two property insurers – Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. and American Home Assurance Co. Inc. – of using inexperienced, unlicensed or unqualified adjusters to lowball damages claims.
Florida attorney general sues ACC over withholding of media rights contracts
Florida’s attorney general is suing the Atlantic Coast Conference for failing to turn over media rights contracts involving the Florida State University football program in violation of the state’s Public Records Act.
Federal appeals court weighing Florida law banning Chinese citizens from owning property
A federal appeals court appeared somewhat conflicted last week as judges heard oral arguments over the legality of a Florida law that bars Chinese citizens from buying homes in many parts of the state.
Florida jury sides with J&J in rejecting talc powder link to cancer
A Florida jury has rejected arguments by plaintiff’s attorneys that a Johnson & Johnson baby-powder talc product caused a Sarasota County’s woman’s fatal ovarian cancer after she used the powder for more than 50 years.
Judge temporarily bars Florida officials from restricting high school teacher's pronoun use
A federal judge has sided with a Hillsborough County transgender high school teacher by barring Florida education officials from enforcing a section of a state parental rights law on pronoun use against the teacher.
Massachusetts federal judge releases DeSantis from lawsuit over 2022 migrant flight
A Massachusetts federal judge has dismissed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and several other Florida defendants from a lawsuit filed on behalf of immigrants who were flown to Martha’s Vineyard in an immigrant-relocation program funded by the state.
North Carolina judge rejects FSU's bid to dismiss lawsuit aimed at validating ACC agreements
Dueling lawsuits related to Florida State University’s quest to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference to seek more lucrative sports deals are continuing on separate legal tracks in two states.
Social media firms brace for lawsuits after Florida enacts law banning kids from platforms
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to sign legislation that bans children under 14 years old from social media platforms – and puts in place new online restrictions on 14- to 15-year-olds – may spark litigation over the new law, critics say.
Florida high court allows state abortion-rights initiative to go on November ballot
A constitutional amendment limiting government interference with the practice of abortion will go before state voters this fall as a result of a 4-3 Florida Supreme Court decision approving the measure’s ballot wording.
DeSantis appointees, Disney settle state lawsuits over governing board actions
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and its Florida oversight board have agreed to a settlement that ends state litigation filed by the parties over governance and development of the company's Orlando-area theme parks.
Suspended Florida attorney who filed over 3,000 tobacco industry claims loses bid for reinstatement
The Florida Supreme Court has declined to reinstate an attorney who was suspended in 2022 for filing more than 3,000 claims from smokers against tobacco firms without properly investigating the cases.
Florida driver sues General Motors, alleging his driving data was illegally shared with insurer
A Palm Beach County driver is suing General Motors, OnStar LLC and LexisNexis Risk Solutions Inc. in federal court, alleging that his auto insurance costs soared after the defendants shared his driving data without his permission.
Gambling firms challenging Seminole Tribe gaming compact lose round before state's high court
The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a petition by parties involved in the gaming industry that challenges the state`s multibillion-dollar compact with the Seminole Tribe, citing procedural grounds to deny the motion.
Florida blocked from enforcing its restrictions on 'woke' workplace training
A federal appeals court has blocked a provision of a new Florida law barring employers from holding mandatory workplace training sessions that embrace race, sex and equity concepts the state deemed offensive.
Parties reach settlement in lawsuit over Florida law restricting instruction about gender issues in schools
Plaintiffs and Florida education officials have agreed to a settlement in the litigation over the 2022 Parental Rights in Education Act, which the Governor’s Office said aimed to keep “radical gender and sexual ideology” out of young children’s classrooms.