Michael Carroll News
Disney attempts to stay wrongful death lawsuit and force plaintiff into arbitration
Disney is pushing to stop a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of a customer with food allergies who died after eating at Disney Springs, arguing the plaintiff created a Disney+ account requiring him to resolve disputes with Disney affiliates through arbitration.
19-year-old nude dancer challenges state's age limit for working in adult entertainment industry
A 19-year-old nude dancer who lost her job due to age restrictions in Florida’s new law on human trafficking is suing the attorney general and other state officials, alleging that the law violates her constitutional right to free expression.
Miami-Dade judge tosses lawsuit accusing former Miami commissioner of shakedown
A Miami-Dade County judge has dismissed a lawsuit against former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was accused of attempting to pressure a lobbyist to provide financial benefits to an associate in a marina development deal.
Lawsuit alleges retaliation by DeSantis, FDLE; They say plaintiff had plenty of reasons to be fired
A former Florida administrator has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), claiming that he was forced to retire for exposing the defendants’ “illegal practices.”
Chiquita hit with $38.3 million damages award for financing Colombian paramilitary group
A south Florida jury has found Chiquita Brands International liable for $38.3 million in damages related to the deaths of eight civilians because the banana company funded a U.S.-designated terrorist group during Colombia’s civil war.
Judge strikes down parts of Florida law that barred treatments to transgender minors
A federal judge has overturned key provisions of a new Florida law that bars minors whose gender identity differs from their sex at birth from receiving certain medical treatments, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.
Florida parents challenge new law providing appeals when local school districts retain targeted books
Three Florida parents have filed a federal lawsuit that challenges a state review process allowing school parents to appeal local school board decisions that decline to ban books and other instructional materials.
Seminole County sued over legality of its anti-panhandling ordinance
A Gainesville nonprofit has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of two Seminole County residents, arguing that a county ordinance criminalizes the act of seeking charity donations in public spaces in violation of constitutional rights.
Investigators arrest 12 for auto insurance fraud in Miami over past 2 months, CFO's office reports
Twelve people were arrested in April and May in the Miami area for allegedly filing fraudulent auto insurance claims or staging car accidents, Florida’s chief financial officer reported, suggesting that such crimes remain a lucrative endeavor in the state.
New Florida immigration law seen as causing hit to state's agricultural economy
The provisions of a Florida immigration law passed last year is pushing farmworkers out of the state, will contribute to a $12.6 billion drop in Florida’s gross domestic product and result in a corresponding decline in state tax revenues, critics of the law predict.
Palestinian Americans sue Palm Beach County clerk over Israel Bonds investments
Two unnamed Palestinian Americans are suing the custodian of Palm Beach County’s financial assets over the investment of $700 million in Israel Bonds, which allegedly help to fund the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
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.