Florida Justice Reform Institute
Recent News About Florida Justice Reform Institute
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Florida appeals court upholds cap on medical malpractice awards in arbitration
A southern Florida appeals court this week affirmed that the state’s limits on punitive damages in certain medical malpractice cases do not violate the state constitution’s guarantees of equal protection. -
Tort reform group: Auto glass abuses remain despite major AOB legislation
TALLAHASSEE – Anyone who thought assignment of benefits (AOB) reform became a fait accompli with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature last spring did not reckon with continuing and similar issues in auto glass. -
AOB lawsuits over auto glass damage continue to be filed at steady clip, report finds
The filing of assignment-of-benefits lawsuits for auto glass damage in Florida is holding steady this year and threatens to push up the cost of auto insurance, a new Florida Justice Reform Institute report warns. -
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Florida ranks 46th in liability systems in Lawsuit Climate Survey
TALLAHASSEE -- The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform's 2019 Lawsuit Climate Survey ranks Florida only 46th in the nation in state liability systems. -
Advocates hope insurance reform soon extends to auto glass fraud
While passage of reforms to homeowners' assignment of benefits (AOB) insurance law was hailed by business interests in the last legislative session, advocates now have sights set on advancing auto glass AOB reform. -
Legal reformers to push for 'truth in damages' legislation to ensure claimed medical expenses are legit
TALLAHASSEE -- Legal reform advocates will be pushing strongly for legislation that limits the amount of damages a personal injury victim can receive, the so-called "Truth in Damages," where a plaintiff can have their medical expenses calculated on the billed prices. -
Legal watchdog: Blame Florida’s no fault insurance mandate for state's high auto rates
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida residents pay the fourth highest auto rates in the nation — an average of $2,059 a year, a 2019 report has found. Watchdog group the Florida Justice Reform Institute (FJRI) says PIP, Florida’s personal injury protection mandate, bears much of the blame for the state's high rates. -
AOB law in effect should lower insurance premiums in Sunshine State, reformer predicts
TALLAHASSEE — Consumers statewide should finally see an end to rising insurance premiums because of a new law that took effect July 1. -
Legal group calls governor's leadership on benefits reform 'incredible'
TALLAHASSEE -- Since taking office in January, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been moving to make a number of much-needed reforms, one of which is to control abuse of the assignment of benefits (AOB). -
Legal group says raising limit on civil suit damages 'goes beyond recommendation' from state court
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 337 into law May 24, which will raise the limit for damages in civil suits that are currently filed at the county level. -
Florida Supreme Court today 'righted' wrong Daubert decision issued last fall, FJRI president says
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — The Florida Supreme Court's amendments to state evidence rules issued earlier today puts right a previous court decision to not follow legislative mandated changes, the head of a Tallahassee-based tort reform advocacy group said. -
Florida Justice Reform Institute says higher limit on damages in county courts may add to courts' burden
The Florida House and Senate voted earlier this month to approve House Bill 337 that increases county lawsuit thresholds, changing the $15,000 limit on civil suit damages that has been in place since 1992. -
2019 shaping up to be difficult year for Florida workers' comp reform; 'Real opposition comes from trial lawyers'
The state of Florida faces a number of challenges in reforming its workers' compensation system. But right now, one of the biggest hurdles is simply the stark differences between two proposed pieces of legislation pending in the Florida legislature's two chambers, and particularly the bills' handling of measures to tamp down the amounts able to be claimed by lawyers. -
Florida Realtors back AOB reform legislation as House bill appears headed for floor debate
While abuse of the state's “assignment of benefits” or AOB legal provisions is increasing at an alarming rate, 2019 might be the year when Florida legislators make headway toward reform, Orlando-based realtor's advocacy group spokesman said during a recent interview. -
Tort reform group prefers Supreme Court-endorsed county court jurisdictional increase plan over House proposal
A Tallahassee-based tort reform advocacy group prefers a Florida Supreme Court-endorsed proposal to increase county court civil litigation thresholds over a state House bill that would raise them to $50,000 over two years. But the Florida Justice Reform Institute isn't so sure a threshold increase is needed. -
Assignment of benefits lawsuits continues to rise for eighth straight year, report says; Chamber backs reforms
TALLAHASSEE -- For the eighth straight year, assignment of benefits lawsuits accounted for more than half of all litigation against insurers in the state of Florida, as reported on a study by the Florida Justice Reform Institute. -
Fla. court reform group: Engle rulings denying tobacco companies chance to defend against big judgments
The U.S. Supreme Court recently refused to hear appeals from three tobacco companies ordered to pay punitive damages in eight Florida cases decided under so-called Engle rulings, according to a Florida Watchdog report, even though the companies claimed they had not been given the chance to build their defense. -
Florida Justice Reform Institute backs Supreme Court school funding decision
TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Supreme Court recently threw out a lawsuit that has been lingering for nine years, alleging Florida has not done enough to ensure that the state education system is of a high enough caliber. -
Judge dismisses negligence lawsuit of Parkland shooting; attorney calls decision 'erroneous'
FORT LAUDERDALE -- A Florida judge has rejected arguments by victims' families of the Parkland shooting, saying that the deputy stationed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was not required to stop the shooting. -
Daniel Gerber, Orlando attorney, calls Florida lawsuit climate costly
According to a recent report published by the Perryman Group, Florida's lawsuit climate is incredibly poor, and it is costing the state billions in funding and thousands in jobs on a yearly basis — problems that likely require reform soon if they are to be solved in the future.