News from March 2016
TOMS shoes licensee files suit
MIAMI – The licensee of TOMS shoes is suing several e-commerce stores over allegations of trademark infringement.
Aetna accused of denying disability benefits
TAMPA – A man his suing his insurance company over its alleged denial of long-term disability benefits.
Law firm alleges Fernandina Beach man owes it for legal represenation
JACKSONVILLE – A Philadelphia law firm has filed suit against a Fernandina Beach resident and his corporation over claims he didn't pay it for legal services.
Bartender sues former employer alleging she wasn't paid minimum wage
JACKSONVILLE – A former bartender is accusing a Jacksonville business of not paying wages.
Woman alleges collectors did not remove disputed debt from credit report
MIAMI – A Broward County woman alleges that a debt collector has violated regulations in attempting to collect from her.
Woman claims insurance companies denied coverage of inpatient program
MIAMI – A woman alleges her insurance company wrongfully denied her benefits and an external review.
Customers sue Volkswagen over alleged fraud
PENSACOLA – A group of Florida consumers is suing
a car manufacturer over claims it made illegal profits in excess of an estimated $33 billion over the use of a defeat device in its diesel-powered automobiles.
Florida state Senate fails to advance judicial term limits proposal
THE VILLAGES – An effort to impose term limits on appellate and state Supreme Court judges in Florida died in the state Senate last month, but opponents vow to fight the idea if it resurfaces in the legislature next year.
BMI sues Scores Palm Beach for alleged copyright infringement
WEST PALM BEACH — are suing Palm Springs Grill, LLC, doing business as Scores Palm Beach, Robert Ciceroni and Carran Schneider, establishment owners, citing alleged copyright infringement.
Two employees sue CMG Development for alleged unpaid wages
FORT LAUDERDALE — Two employees filed a class-action lawsuit against CMG Development and Carlos Gonzalez, citing alleged unpaid wages and violation of applicable minimum wage law.
In-ear monitor specialists sue competitors for alleged patent infringement
ORLANDO — An in-ear monitor specialist company is suing its competitors, citing alleged patent infringement.
Cruise ship passenger sues for damages after allegedly breaking leg
MIAMI – A cruise ship passenger alleges that she was injured on the ship as a result of negligence.
Avesta Homes LLC accused of not paying overtime wages
ORLANDO – A Hillsborough County man alleges that his employer owes him unpaid wages.
Florida AG strikes deal with You Fit over allegedly failing to disclose hidden fees
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office announced an assurance of voluntary compliance with You Fit LLC after allegations the company conducted false marketing and advertising.
U.S. District Court injunction provides breathing room in tale of two Ubers in Gainesville
GAINESVILLE – A cleverly worded preliminary injunction is providing breathing room for companies trying to figure out if Gainesville is big enough for two Ubers, a Tampa attorney said in a recent interview.
Lawyer-client sex allegations may be fueled by ulterior motive, attorney says
A lawyer has been accused of having sex with an inmate in an interview room at the Broward Sheriff's Office, but her attorney says that the allegations have an ulterior motive.
Florida special prosecutor ready to ascend to Hillsborough County Court bench
TAMPA – After serving for nearly a decade in the Office of Statewide Prosecution -- a stint that included prosecuting former Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer for bilking the party out of $125,000 – special counsel Michael S. Williams begins a new job on Monday on the Hillsborough County Court bench.
Collier County judge sees revamped ethics panel as way to ensure honest government
NAPLES -- Having seen too many public officeholders in Florida profit from their positions and suffer ethical lapses that damage the public trust, Collier County Judge Mike Carr has called for the creation of a more muscular Commission on Ethics that could help push dishonest public servants out of office.
Tampa health law attorney wins international Lexology Client Choice award
TAMPA – Health law attorney Erin Smith Aebel received the 2016 Lexology Client Choice award for exemplary client service in London last week.
Survey shows Florida listed among worst lawsuit climates in the country, falls 3 spots below 2012 ranking
TALLAHASSEE – Sinking three slots below its 2012 ranking, Florida has once again found itself listed among the worst lawsuit climates in the country, landing at 44th out of 50, according to the 2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey conducted by the Harris Poll and released by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform.