News from August 2016
Passenger files suit against Royal Caribbean after slipping near pool
MIAMI – A woman has filed a suit alleging she was injured after slipping near the pool on a cruise ship.
Louis Vuitton accuses online sellers of offering counterfeit products
MIAMI – A French company has filed suit over claims several online sellers offer counterfeit versions of its products.
Royal Caribbean passenger alleges injuries on waterslide
MIAMI — A former cruise ship passenger is suing Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., claiming he was injured on a waterslide by another rider when the cruise ship was docked and passengers could explore the area.
Employee sues insurance firm over alleged violation of ERISA
An employee is suing Life Insurance Company of North America claiming she was denied long-term disability benefits.
Retiring judge requests governor appoint successor in letter, attorney files suit seeking election
LAKELAND – The attorney for a Lakeland man fighting for the chance run for judge on the 10th Judicial Circuit Court says he suspects the way that bench, and others, is being vacated amounts to election tampering and is unconstitutional.
Incumbent judge seeks re-election for the first time, says family helped him achieve goals
MIAMI – George “Jorge” Sarudy, a former high school dropout who went on to graduate from Florida State University with a law degree, is seeking re-election to Miami-Dade Circuit Court Group No. 72.
Bondi at RNC: 'America's for Trump, and so am I'
CLEVELAND – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke at the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on the third day of the convention on July 20, supporting a Trump presidency and criticizing President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in her speech.
Consumer files suit against HMC Group over alleged debt on credit report
MIAMI – A Pembroke Pines consumer has filed suit against an Ohio-based debt collector over claims it reported an alleged disputed debt to a credit agency.
Cruise ship passenger alleges she was injured by bench
MIAMI – A woman alleges she was injured by a bench she was asked to sit on while waiting for wheelchair to board a cruise.
Homestead Ford Inc. accused of not paying employees minimum wages
MIAMI – A former employee of a Miami-Dade County car dealership alleges he was not paid a minimum wage and has filed a class-action suit.
Under Armour files trademark infringement suit against Puppy Armour makers
MIAMI – A Miami limited liability company is accused of promoting clothing for dogs using the same name as a sportswear manufacturer's product.
South Dakota judgeship 'loaned' to Florida to handle bankruptcy court case load
TAMPA – On July 15, Roberta Colton was sworn in as a judge for the U.S Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Her appointment is a slightly unusual one as it originated in the District of South Dakota.
Law prof: Tickets issued through Aventura’s red-light camera program might still need paid
AVENTURA – A Florida appeals court decision earlier this week in favor of Aventura's red-light camera program means drivers who received traffic tickets from the city may need to pay up, a law professor said during a recent interview.
High court to settle Allstate PIP insurance question after district courts rule differently
TALLAHASSEE – Florida's Supreme Court on Aug. 30 is scheduled to hear oral arguments regarding the clarity of statements insurance companies include in no-fault auto insurance policies regarding the amount and method they use to reimburse medical services providers for treating patients injured in auto accidents. Differing opinions in recent lower court decisions paved the way to the Supreme Court hearing.
Court denies groups' education funding lawsuit to bypass appellate court
TALLAHASSEE – The 1st District Court of Appeals on July 26 denied a suggestion for certification that would have enabled a lawsuit in which Citizens for Strong Schools, Fund Education Now and several individual plaintiffs were seeking to bypass the appellate court and proceed directly to the Florida Supreme Court.
Administrative assistant alleges disability benefits were wrongfully terminated
MIAMI – A disabled woman alleges her disability benefits were wrongfully terminated by her insurance company, which believes she is able to return to work.
Suit filed against Marco Polo Beach Resort by man alleging he was injured in fall
MIAMI – A guest has filed suit against a Golden Beach hotel alleging he was injured by hazardous conditions in his room.
Honesty and hard work make a great commercial litigator, says new McGlinchey Stafford attorney
FORT LAUDERDALE – Credibility, hard work and doing the research are some important for any up-and-coming attorney who aspires to a career in commercial litigation, a new attorney in a Fort Lauderdale practice said during a recent interview.
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.
Nursery rejected license to grow Charlotte’s Web marijuana
TALLAHASSEE – A nursery is in a dispute with lawmakers over obtaining a license to grow, process and distribute a strain know as Charlotte’s Web.