Michael Carroll News
Social media firms brace for lawsuits after Florida enacts law banning kids from platforms
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to sign legislation that bans children under 14 years old from social media platforms – and puts in place new online restrictions on 14- to 15-year-olds – may spark litigation over the new law, critics say.
Litigation financing transparency bill fails to pass Florida Legislature
Tort reform supporters are expressing disappointment over the failure of the Florida Legislature to pass a bill that would have shed more light on third-party litigation financing agreements and their potential relationships with foreign entities.
U.S. Supreme Court reverses Colorado bid to take Trump off ballot
Colorado lacks the authority to remove former President Donald Trump from the state’s election ballot, the U.S. Supreme Court said Monday in an opinion that seems to end all legal actions to declare Trump an insurrectionist who is ineligible to hold the office.
New kind of patent lawsuits soaring in Southern District of Florida, new analysis finds
Federal patent-infringement lawsuits aimed at defendants whose identities are kept hidden have shot up 167% from 2022 to 2023 in the Southern District of Florida, raising due-process concerns for the businesses and individuals affected by such filings.
U.S. high court justices express skepticism during oral hearing on Trump ballot case
U.S. Supreme Court justices last week expressed skepticism about Colorado’s arguments that the state should be able to disqualify former President Donald Trump from its ballot using the 14th Amendment’s “insurrection clause,” according to legal observers.
Family of woman attacked, drowned by gator sues senior housing complex
The family of a resident of the Spanish Lakes Fairways retirement community in Fort Pierce is suing the development’s owner for wrongful death after their mother was attacked and drowned by an alligator last year.
Florida lawmakers proposing bills to mandate disclosure of third-party litigation funding
A Florida measure is advancing in the state Legislature that would require the disclosure of third-party litigation funding agreements in civil lawsuits, limit what investors could recover through damages awards and boost transparency of foreign financial interests.
Florida woman sues Hershey, claiming she was deceived into buying faceless Reese’s candies
A Hillsborough County resident who purchased a bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins for $4.49 is now suing the manufacturer, Hershey Co., saying the candies in the bag lacked the artistic facial designs depicted on the packaging.
DeSantis touts Florida's 'sanity,' reform record in 2024 State of the State address
Taking a detour from his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted “failed” federal policies on Tuesday while hailing Florida as a “refuge for freedom and sanity” during his State of the State speech to the Legislature.
Trump campaign petitions U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Colorado ballot eligibility decision
A Colorado Supreme Court opinion barring former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot erred in saying Trump engaged in an insurrection and was an overreach of the state court’s authority, according to a petition filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Colorado GOP petitions U.S. Supreme Court to overturn state's decision banning Trump from 2024 ballots
The Colorado Republican Party has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review and overturn a recent Colorado Supreme Court ruling that removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot because he took part in an insurrection.
Researchers report orchestrated high-tech campaign to assault Florida insurance firms with lawsuits
A tsunami of technology-generated litigation has been pummeling Florida insurance companies in recent years, contributing to the liquidation of six property insurers in the state in 2022, according to insurance researchers.
Expert: Most litigation to remove Trump from ballots in other states won't be successful
In a 4-3 decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has held that former President Donald Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president because he engaged in an insurrection in violation of the 14th Amendment.
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.”