Michael Carroll News
New Florida bill would limit lawsuits against senior-living providers
New constraints would be placed on litigation filed against senior living facilities, including a ban on expert witnesses testifying on a contingency fee basis, under provisions of a bill introduced this week in the Florida Legislature.
Governor, lawmakers launch bid to curb excessive lawsuits, 'predatory' attorneys
A reform drive to reduce excessive litigation and prevent “predatory trial lawyers” from targeting individuals, truckers and small businesses was launched Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Contractor sues Louisiana town after being prosecuted for flying obscene anti-Biden flags on his pickup
A Louisiana contractor who displayed flags on his pickup expressing an graphic opinion of President Joe Biden has sued the town of Grand Isle for repeatedly ticketing him for violations of the state’s obscenity law.
Florida's high court rejects 'excessive' $16 million damages award in wrongful death case
The Florida Supreme Court has struck down a $16 million punitive damages award in a wrongful death case, concluding that the award was out of sync with the jury’s compensatory damages award of just $150,000.
Western District of Louisiana becomes 'go-to' location to file lawsuits challenging federal policies
The Western District of Louisiana has become among the most popular federal courts for Republican attorneys general to file litigation challenging the Biden administration on an array of issues, such as climate change and immigration.
China faulted for coronavirus spread in Florida class-action suit
A Boca Raton law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit against the People’s Republic of China, alleging that its public agencies were negligent for failing to contain the deadly coronavirus outbreak that has caused economic devastation in the U.S.
House passes coronavirus relief bill with limited liability protection for medical mask makers
A coronavirus relief bill passed by the House of Representatives early Saturday morning fell short of what medical mask manufacturers had sought to reduce their liability risks during the crisis.
Democrats pressed to back coronavirus legislation that protects mask-makers from lawsuits
House Democrats have agreed this week to extend some liability protections to manufacturers of masks that can protect health professionals from the coronavirus, Legal Newsline has learned.
Dismissal hearing for Oakland's lawsuit over Raiders' move delayed
SAN FRANCISCO - A federal court hearing on the NFL's attempt to dismiss the city of Oakland’s lawsuit over the relocation of the Raiders has been delayed until April 16, according to one of the attorneys representing the city.
Disabilities lawsuits hit another new high while plaintiffs attorneys find new strategies
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Lawsuits filed by disabled plaintiffs rose 8.8 percent in 2019 as plaintiffs attorneys continued to churn out novel discrimination complaints, according to the law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP.
Virginia companies' lawsuit accuses CFPB of regulatory overreach
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Two Virginia companies are suing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over its investigatory practices, alleging that the federal agency exceeded its authority and engaged in bullying tactics.
Banking industry leaders applaud Senate vote against CFPB arbitration rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Financial institutions and free-market advocates generally applauded the recent U.S. Senate vote striking down a federal rule that would have eliminated mandatory arbitration clauses in consumer credit contracts.
Arbitration ban would boost credit costs 25 percent, federal analysis finds
A rule banning mandatory arbitration in consumer financial agreements would raise the cost of consumer credit by nearly 3.5 percent annually, a newly released federal analysis says.
Federal Circuit to decide on bid to change where patent cases can be filed
PALO ALTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Companies that are targets of patent litigation should keep an eye on a case now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that could lead to far-reaching changes about where patent lawsuits can be filed across the nation, a Silicon Valley intellectual property attorney said.
Supreme Court mulling expansion of False Claims Act lawsuits
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – U.S. Supreme Court justices on April 19 heard arguments in a case that could expand liability for defendants in False Claims Act cases.
Bose cooperating with plaintiffs in class action, attorney says
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit against Bose Corp. for alleged violations of a California law designed to protect consumers’ privacy and personal information may be moving toward a resolution as lawyers for both sides have had cooperative discussions about the case, the plaintiffs' attorney said.
Study: Lawsuits down, but non-practicing entities buying patents at ‘steady rate’
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - The amount of patent-infringement litigation took a noticeable dip in the first quarter of this year compared to the same time period in previous years, but whether the numbers reflect a true downturn rather than a temporary hiccup remains to be seen - especially considering prospective plaintiffs are still amassing patents at their normal rate.
Attorney backs Emory law prof's study on no-injury class action settlements
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - A recent university study offers objective empirical evidence that no-injury class action lawsuits only benefit the attorneys who bring the litigation, leaving little to trickle down to the plaintiffs while raising costs for consumers.
TGI Friday's victorious at appellate level in class action over drink prices
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A March New Jersey appeals court decision in a case involving drink prices at TGI Friday's restaurants raised the evidence bar for plaintiffs, a Philadelphia attorney says.
TCPA cases remain stalled despite high court ruling
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Defendants in class action lawsuits involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act remain largely in litigation limbo despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year limiting the so-called “pick-off” defense.