Michael Carroll News
Bipartisan bill would allow more surviving family members to seek punitive damages in wrongful death cases
A bipartisan effort is under way in the Florida Legislature to remove long-standing restrictions on the awarding of punitive damages in wrongful death cases involving medical negligence.
Medical marijuana firm seeks to counter cannabis legalization ballot measure
Signs of discord between medical marijuana advocates and recreational cannabis supporters are emerging in a legal battle now before the Florida Supreme Court that will determine whether the Smart & Safe initiative goes before state voters.
Louisiana leads legal challenge to new EPA rule expanding water-quality regulations
Louisiana is leading a legal effort by 11 states to challenge a federal rule that plaintiffs in the lawsuit say makes sweeping, unlawful changes to how states make water-quality certifications for projects under the Clean Water Act.
Panera Bread facing wrongful death lawsuit over 'Charged Lemonade'
The family of a 46-year-old Florida man has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Panera Bread Co., alleging that the man’s consumption of large quantities of the bakery chain’s caffeinated lemonade beverage led to his cardiac arrest.
Louisiana State Police opens criminal probe into embattled Houston law firm
A Louisiana State Police unit has opened a criminal investigation against Houston-based law firm McClenny, Moseley & Associates for alleged property insurance fraud practices in the state over the past three years.
Florida urges U.S. Supreme Court to allow drag show law to be enforced
The state of Florida is calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and limit the scope of an injunction placed on a new state law barring children from attending live drag shows that showcase “lewd” behavior.
Louisiana woman petitions court to hold school officials accountable in corporal punishment cases
A Jefferson Parish woman is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to alter a judicial precedent in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi that makes public school employees and managers essentially immune from liability when they engage in “unlawful corporal punishment.”
Lawsuit to bar embattled MMA law firm from collecting attorney fees is dismissed
A federal judge has rejected a Louisiana personal injury law firm’s lawsuit that sought to block the embattled McClenny, Moseley & Associates (MMA) law firm from collecting attorney fees in cases involving former MMA hurricane-damage claims.
Florida company sues X Corp., formerly Twitter, over alleged trademark violation
A Florida company has filed a federal lawsuit against billionaire Elon Musk’s X Corp., formerly Twitter Inc., alleging that its use of the “X” name infringes on X Social Media LLC’s trademark and violates Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Judge's order in property insurance claim upends embattled MMA law firm's contingency fee contracts
Recent federal court decisions have ratcheted up financial pressures on McClenny, Mosley & Associates, the Houston law firm facing federal disciplinary proceedings related to a mass-filing about 1,600 property-claims lawsuits in western Louisiana last year.
Court rejects hedge funds' petition to intervene in MMA disciplinary case
A judge has denied a bid by Florida hedge funds to intervene in federal disciplinary proceedings in Louisiana against a Houston law firm accused of unethical and illegal actions for mass-filing hurricane-damage claims in the Bayou State.
California sues energy companies over 'climate' problems; 'Kitchen sink' lawsuit a 'political stunt,' industry says
Energy companies say the state's lawsuit is little more than a "meritless, politicized" effort to extract big paydays from oil and gas companies, while accomplishing little to address the alleged problems caused by "climate change"
2 hedge funds seek to intervene in MMA law firm disciplinary proceedings
Two Florida hedge funds have filed motions in the Western District of Louisiana to become intervenors in disciplinary proceedings against a Houston law firm accused of participating in a litigation-harvesting scheme involving Louisiana hurricane-damage victims.
West Virginia doctrine that can boost damages awards intact after court challenge
A federal appeals court has fortified a West Virginia policy that aims to level the playing field between policyholders and insurance companies in litigated claims, but critics say such policies ultimately increase the cost of insurance.
Federal insurance litigation in Louisiana tops in U.S., new report finds
In the wake of a series of severe hurricanes and a single law firm’s mass filings, the Western District of Louisiana handled the most insurance cases of any federal district court in the nation during the past three years, according to a report released this week.
Judge opens door to class-action allegations in social media censorship lawsuit
A federal judge has granted a motion to add class-action allegations in a case filed by the Louisiana and Missouri attorneys general alleging federal officials colluded with social media companies to deprive Americans of their First Amendment rights.
New Florida court filings soared to 280,122 in March in runup to signing of tort reforms
A record number of civil cases – 280,122 – were filed in Florida courts in March during the runup to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to sign a comprehensive tort-reform measure, according to a new tally of civil lawsuits.
Florida governor signs 'watershed' tort-reform bill into law
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a comprehensive bill aimed at rooting out excessive, abusive litigation in what the measure’s supporters said was “a watershed moment” in the history of tort reform.
Judge says California gator products ban violates federal law, in win for Louisiana industry
A federal judge has concluded a California law banning the sale of products made from alligators raised in other states, including Louisiana’s wetlands, violates the federal Endangered Species Act, leading Louisiana wildlife officials to claim a legal victory.
DeSantis highlights tort reform priorities in State of the State address
Along with promises of more tax cuts, environmental restoration projects and infrastructure upgrades, Gov. Ron DeSantis in his State of the State address on Tuesday again called for the overhaul of a legal climate that he said is a drag on the Florida economy.