News from August 2016
New Jersey widow files claim against cruise line due to an alleged medical misdiagnosis
MIAMI — A widow is suing Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD, a cruise line, citing alleged breach of duty due to a misdiagnosed illness while aboard a ship.
High court won't hear Escambia County's property tax case against Portofino
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Supreme Court refused to hear a case regarding beach property that is being developed by a company leasing the land after an appeals court said the company is not responsible for paying property taxes.
Florida Bar members to share opinions in poll on 31 judges up for retention in November
TALLAHASSEE – Florida law requires Florida Supreme Court justices and appeals court judges to be placed on the ballot in nonpartisan elections every six years for voters to re-elect them or not, and this year, there will be 31 such options on the ballot.
Filthaut faces permanent disbarment for 'despicable acts'
TALLAHASSEE – Adam Robert Filthaut, an attorney who practiced law with Adams & Diaco in Tampa, is still facing the possibility of permanent disbarment for allegedly participating in the orchestration of the wrongful arrest of an opposing counsel in a high-profile, multimillion dollar case.
Adams faces possible permanent disbarment after allegedly plotting opposing attorney's arrest
TALLAHASSEE – Robert Adams, a Tampa attorney who worked with the Adams & Diaco law firm, was charged by the Florida Bar with several violations of the ethical standards for lawyers. He, along with two other attorneys, was accused of acting to orchestrate the DUI arrest of opposing counsel in a high-profile, multimillion dollar case to benefit his firm and his client.
Living Well Spending Less accused of infringing trademark with Living Well planners
FORT MYERS – A North Carolina company is suing Living Well Spending Less Inc. and Ruth Soukup alleging they sell planners that infringe the plaintiff's mark.
Technician alleges she was retaliated against for asserting FMLA rights
CLEARWATER – A pharmacy technician alleges she was terminated after requesting to leave work early during to a medical condition.
Man files suit alleging debt collector continued to call despite requests to stop
ORLANDO – An Orange County man is accusing a debt collector of placing robocalls to his cellphone.
Former Walgreen's employee alleges she is owed overtime wages
TAMPA – A former assistant store manager for a pharmacy retail chain alleges she routinely performed off-the-clock work and is owed overtime wages.
Credit One Bank, National Association accused of telephone harassment
ORLANDO – An Orange County consumer alleges a debt collector harassed her with calls, sometimes calling up to six times per day or more.
Carnival Corp. accused of negligence after child injured on cruise
MIAMI – Parents have filed suit against a Miami-based cruise line alleging their child was injured while on a cruise.
Liberty Life Assurance Co. of Boston accused of wrongfully denying disability benefits
ORLANDO – A Lake Mary woman alleges her insurance company wrongfully denied her disability benefits over claims that she is not disabled.
Suit filed against Insys Therapeutics alleging wrongful death from drug's use
JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville man has filed a wrongful death suit against a pharmaceutical company alleging a drug lead to his wife's death.
Hollywood woman files suit against debt collector in credit report dispute
MIAMI — A consumer is suing Pinnacle Credit Services LLC, a debt collector, citing alleged misrepresentation in debt collection.
Treat everyone with respect and dignity, Hillsborough Bar In the Trenches award recipient says
TAMPA – Tom Scarritt possibly should win a separate award for the best locale from which to receive a bar association's civil trial attorney award.
Akerman LLP adds 30 new attorneys to staff after dissolution of Houston law firm
TALLAHASSEE – Trial law firm Akerman LLP has added 30 new litigators to its staff of more than 650 after Houston-based firm Beirne, Maynard and Parsons dissolved in mid-July. The firm includes 350 litigators in 24 offices across the country.
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.
Woman claims wet tile on cruise ship caused knee injury
MIAMI — A passenger alleges that she slipped on tile on a cruise ship and injured her knee.
Former employee alleges CPS Graphics owes unpaid wages
MIAMI – A former employee alleges a Broward County business failed to fairly compensate him for 36 hours he worked during his last week of employment with the company.
Broward County man accuses company of misleading debt collection practices
MIAMI — A consumer is suing Wakefield & Associates Inc., a debt collector, alleging
that it failed to list the plaintiff's credit account as "disputed by customer."