Florida News

June 18, 2013

Florida Paid $9.5 Million in Settlement Over Crisis-Era Deal

Wall Street Journal | Subscription Required | June 18, 2013

The two largest credit-rating firms and Morgan Stanley paid the state of Florida $9.5 million as part of a confidential settlement earlier this year, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Tags: Financial Services, Florida

April 29, 2013

Senate back tougher expert witness requirements

Florida News-Press | April 29, 2013

After the issue appeared to be in jeopardy last week, the Senate on Friday approved a business-backed bill that would tighten standards for expert witnesses in lawsuits.

Tags: Florida, Judiciary

April 22, 2013

Florida Becomes 4th State to Sue BP Over Oil Spill

Associated Press | April 22, 2013

The state of Florida filed a lawsuit Saturday against oil company BP and cement contractor Halliburton over the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, becoming the fourth state to seek damages for the 2010 disaster.

Tags: Environmental Litigation, Florida

April 15, 2013

Florida Senate passes medical malpractice bill

Jacksonville Business Journal | April 15, 2013

With doctors seeking greater legal protections, the Florida Senate on Thursday approved a plan that includes tightening restrictions on expert witnesses in medical-malpractice cases.

Tags: Florida, Medical Liability

Florida high court rules consumers disputing contracts can’t join class-action lawsuits

Palm Beach Post | April 15, 2013

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a blow to consumers who want to fight companies that charge usury, unjustified or illegal fees, advocates said. Saying the U.S. Supreme Court gave it no choice, the state’s high court ruled that a Fort Pierce single mother had signed away her ability to join a lawsuit to challenge hefty fees she paid to McKenzie Check Advance of Florida.

Tags: Arbitration - ADR, Class Action, Florida

April 9, 2013

New Florida Supreme Court Decision Expands Tort Liability for Pure Economic Harm

Point of Law | April 9, 2013

In many instances, in tort law, if the defendant causes no physical harm to the plaintiff's person or property, there is no tort liability.

Tags: Florida

March 29, 2013

Tort reform bill for insurers narrowly passes House panel

Jacksonville Business Journal | March 29, 2013

Amid a renewed lobbying fight between business groups and trial lawyers, a House panel Wednesday narrowly approved a bill that could help shield insurers from big-money lawsuits in disputes about settling claims.

Tags: Florida

March 25, 2013

OPINION: Legal reform will restore justice and make Florida’s economy more competitive

Star-Banner | March 25, 2013

Sadly, Florida is one of the worst states in the country for lawsuits. Florida’s 41st ranking in a national survey leaves us in the bottom 10 in legal climate. Job creators know this, and the reality is our current legal climate is an obstacle to growing our economy and creating jobs. Florida shouldn’t be in the bottom 10 of anything.

Tags: Florida, Lawsuit Abuse Impact, Trial Lawyers' Influence

March 22, 2013

Florida ruling could force tobacco sector's hand in Engle cases

ThomsonReuters | March 22, 2013

A new Florida Supreme Court ruling rejects tobacco company arguments that their due process rights were violated by a 2006 decision allowing Florida smokers to use prior jury findings against the cigarette industry in order to file individual lawsuits.

Tags: Florida

March 18, 2013

Florida High Court Upholds Engle Ruling Against Tobacco Companies

American Lawyer | Subscription Required | March 18, 2013

A Florida Supreme Court decision Thursday is being hailed as a complete victory for smokers who have been litigating against tobacco companies for decades. The opinion preserved anti-tobacco findings from a defunct class action and rejected cigarette makers' claims that they were denied due process by trial rules and jury instructions.

Tags: Class Action, Florida