News from June 2016
Maintenance worker cleans up in suit against Wellington mall's janitorial company
WEST PALM BEACH – A man who accused a cleaning company of refusing to hire him because of his race was awarded approximately $172,000 by a jury.
Judge dismisses complaint against Hamilton County horse track
TALLAHASSEE – Despite his criticism of the horse races held at Hamilton Downs, an administrative law judge dismissed a state regulator’s complaint that alleged some of the track’s races don’t count.
Florida Supreme Court to hear traffic stop passenger seizure case
DAYTONA BEACH – The Florida Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal of a 5th Circuit Court of Appeal ruling that requires passengers in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation to remain in the vehicle or at the scene of the traffic stop.
Middleton to take oath as ‘public member’ for Florida Bar board of governors
ORLANDO – Nurse by profession, community activist by nature, Sharon Middleton will have much to offer the Florida Bar when she joins its Board of Governors at the Bar’s June 17 annual convention as a public member.
Trade secrets and transparency clash in suit over public records request
TALLAHASSEE – A dispute over a public records request submitted to the state children’s health insurance program brings to light the tension between protecting trade secrets and transparency – two important facets of state law that can sometimes be at odds.
Man claims Orient Weston Inc. did not pay overtime
MIAMI – A delivery driver alleges he was not paid overtime wages.
Company alleges ZUMBA mark is being used on shirts without permission
MIAMI – A health and fitness company is suing a T-shirt manufacturer alleging that it is selling shirts with its logo without authorization.
Woman seeks reinstatement of short-term disability benefits
MIAMI – A woman alleges her short-term disability benefits were wrongfully terminated.
Former employee claims Fresh Kitchen owes unpaid wages
MIAMI – A cook claims a Boca Raton restaurant owes him unpaid wages.
Woman alleges Deerfield Beach Walmart is not ADA compliant
FORT LAUDERDALE – A disabled person claims a retail store chain allegedly discriminated against her by denying access to and full and equal enjoyment of goods, services and/or accommodations located at the premises.
HSBC Mortgage Services Inc. accused of making harassing phone calls
JACKSONVILLE – A Duval County consumer is suing a Brandon debt collector of telephone harassment.
Ferrellgas Inc. alleges former employee attempted to divert customers
JACKSONVILLE – A propane gas retailer alleges that a former employee breached his employment agreement by attempting to divert its business customers in his territory.
A Bahamian corporation is suing law firm and partner
Bahamian corporation accuses law firm and partner of breach of contractMIAMI — A Bahamian corporation is suing Carlton Fields Jorden Burt PA and Robert B.
Rifkin hopes 35 years of legal experience resonates with voters
FORT LAUDERDALE – After unsuccessful attempts at a governor’s appointment, Abbe Rifkin hopes her 35 years of legal experience will give her an edge over her opponents in the Aug. 30 state primaries as she attempts to unseat incumbent Matthew Destry for a position on the bench in the Broward County Circuit Court.
First Amendment Foundation launches right-to-know exemption tracker
ST. PETERSBURG – Florida’s First Amendment Foundation recently added a ticker on its website that tracks exemptions in the state to the Right to Know Act and two new controversial exemptions related to trade secrets will be added in the fall.
Barner relying on experience to win Broward County court seat
FORT LAUDERDALE – Florence Barner touched on a case backlog, distrust of the justice system in minority communities, and truancy and juvenile traffic crimes as issues she would like to address if she is successful in her bid for a seat as a judge in the Broward County Court.
Florida Supreme Court to decide if communications services tax law is unconstitutional
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida State Supreme Court recently began wading into the issue of differences in local communications services tax rates levied on satellite TV and cable TV services providers.
Uber gets final OK, license from Broward County
FORT LAUDERDALE – Ride-sharing service Uber has cleared the last hurdle and is officially licensed to operate in Broward County.
Woman alleges she was injured by display chair at Navy Exchange
JACKSONVILLE – A costumer at a Navy Exchange alleges that she fell when the display chair she tested collapsed.
Man alleges Denny's owners did not provide accessible restrooms
MIAMI – A disabled Broward County man alleges a Fort Lauderdale restaurant discriminated against him by denying access to and full and equal enjoyment of goods, services and/or accommodations offered at the subject property.