Florida Justice Reform Institute
Recent News About Florida Justice Reform Institute
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Florida justice-reform report details continued growth in assignment of benefits
TALLAHASSEE — State law intended to maintain a level playing field between consumers and insurance companies in claims-handling continues to generate a windfall for some trial lawyers, contractors and other vendors, according to an updated report by the Florida Justice Reform Institute. -
Florida Justice Reform Institute president: AOBs are problematic to insurance policyholders, insurance companies
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Justice Reform Institute recently released a report in which it outlined what it sees as problems with assignment of benefits, or AOBs. -
'War Dogs' gunrunner blames Abilify for his actions
A smuggler who made headlines a decade ago and was the focus of the 2016 film War Dogs is making news again: Efraim Diveroli has joined the long line of plaintiffs suing the maker of the prescription drug Abilify for his compulsive behavior. -
'Now is the time to admit that PIP can’t be fixed,' FJRI president says
TALLAHASSEE – Florida law regarding PIP (Personal Injury Protection) payments is evolving as the Supreme Court seeks to clarify what is considered “reasonable” when it comes to medical expenses. -
Florida Justice Reform Institute calls for assignment of benefits changes
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Justice Reform Institute is advocating changes to curb what it calls abuses of assignment of benefits (AOB), as well as one-way attorney’s fees for insurance claims awarded to service providers and their attorneys. -
Appeals court decides not to consider rehearing on $8M asbestos settlement overturn
WEST PALM BEACH – On Nov. 9, Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal refused to reconsider its Sept. 14 decision to overturn a 2013 $8 million award to Richard DeLisle, who sued multiple companies, including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Crane Co., for his mesothelioma diagnosis. -
Legal reform advocates not optimistic in advance of med mal ruling at Florida Supreme Court
TALLAHASSEE - Tort reform advocates in Florida say they expect the state Supreme Court to overturn a 2013 law enacted to “level the playing field” for defendants and their attorneys in medical malpractice cases. -
Appeals court rules $18.5 million award too much following tobacco lawsuit
A Florida appeals court has ruled that R.J. Reynolds be granted a motion for remittitur or have a new trial for damages -
Lawson for state Supreme Court justice wise choice by governor, FL business advocate says
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott's appointment of a conservative appeals court judge from Winter Park is good news for business owners, an advocate said during an interview shortly after the governor's pick was announced earlier today. -
Florida Supreme Court ruling addresses insurance payment clause debate
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Supreme Court has sided with a homeowner who sued American Home Assurance Co. Inc. after the insurer denied his claim related to water damage in his Naples home. -
Jones Day argues that federal law on smoking lawsuits should preempt state laws
TALLAHASSEE -- Attorney Gregory Katsas with Jones Day in Washington, representing tobacco company R.J. Reynolds, recently argued before the Florida Supreme Court that in Florida courts, the liability and negligence claims of smokers are preempted by federal law. -
Florida, North Carolina attorneys address hurricane litigation with webinar
In the aftermath of the damage Hurricane Matthew caused in the Southeast, attorneys worked through NorthCarolinaFloodClaims.com to put together a free Skype presentation Nov. 7 given by prominent insurance lawyer J.R. Whaley to help these flooded areas recover. -
Florida attorneys debate Daubert Standard; court ruling to come soon
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The Florida Supreme Court will rule on changes to the admissibility standard for expert testimony, which has been contested in past civil litigation cases. -
Recent state court rulings place workers' comp attorney fee schedules in question
Workers’ compensation laws that impose caps on claimants’ attorney fees may be vulnerable with recent state supreme court decisions toppling fee schedules in Florida and Utah. -
Higher payouts for lawyers and increased work comp rates will lead to at least $1B in unfunded liability, experts say
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida legislature has no plans to schedule a special legislative session to address a sharp increase in workers’ compensation rates recently approved for businesses statewide, legislative sources say. -
Mega-firm Napoli Shkolnik implicated by former employee raising bankruptcy fraud concerns
Napoli Shkolnik is accused of directing funds to Excelium Management through an intermediary, despite Excelium's Chapter 11 filings. -
Supreme Court brief reaffirms 2013 decision regarding limits in workers' comp claims
TALLAHASSEE – The state Supreme Court submitted a brief on June 9 in regards to the Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg case, which involved a challenge to the constitutionality of Florida’s workers’ compensation scheme. -
FJRI's mission: 'Restoring accountability and predictability' to state's justice system
TALLAHASSEE – In a recent survey taken by Harris poll for the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, Florida is ranked as one of the 10 worst legal climates in the country, ranking 44th out of all 50 states. The Florida Justice Reform Institute (FJRI) is one organization dedicated to making it harder for trial lawyers to target businesses for lawsuits. -
Recent state court rulings place work comp attorney fee schedules in question
TALLAHASSEE – Workers’ compensation laws that impose caps on claimants’ attorney fees may be vulnerable with recent state supreme court decisions toppling fee schedules in Florida and Utah. -
Increasing number of false advertising cases against food and drink hard to swallow, critic says
The lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit is supposed to represent other members of the class who have an identical problem, according to William Large, president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute. Since the purchase of beer is very subjective in nature, it would be extremely difficult to prove that any other member of the class had the same subjective thought as the lead plaintiff.