By Jeff Sistrunk Law360, Los Angeles (July 31, 2017, 9:10 PM EDT) — A Florida business group urged the state’s high court Monday to reject a challenge to an appellate panel’s decision that Geico didn’t act in bad faith by not settling claims against a policyholder later hit with an $8.7 million fatal-crash judgment, saying the […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-07-31 15:56:222025-07-31 21:09:36Biz Group Asks Fla. Justices To Ditch Geico Bad Faith Case
Friday, July 21, 2017 Attorneys Take No Issue With DWC’s Interpretation of Compounds as ‘Specialty Services’ By J. Todd Foster The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation’s decision to require preauthorization for all compounded drugs represents a fair interpretation of a state statute, attorneys on both sides said Thursday. The requirement went into effect on July […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-07-27 15:56:182025-07-31 20:45:03Attorneys Take No Issue With DWC’s Interpretation of Compounds as ‘Specialty Services’
by W.J. Kennedy | Jul. 21, 2017, 1:19pm TALLAHASSEE – The Florida medical community is still weighing its next steps following the June 8 Florida Supreme Court ruling, North Broward Hospital District v. Kalitan, that declared caps on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) unconstitutional. Options range from the futile and expensive to none. Jeff Scott, […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-07-17 15:57:242025-07-31 20:47:24Florida Medical Community has Few Options After Cap on Non-economic Damages Shot Down
Commentary: Florida Supreme Court crowns itself fact-finder and policymaker on malpractice Florida Gov. Jeb Bush pauses as he receives applause from Tampa area doctors and hospital staff members during a speech on medical malpractice in 2003. (SCOTT AUDETTE / Associated Press) By William Large – Guest Columnist July 17, 2017 On June 8, in North Broward […]
Commentary: Florida High Court Med Mal Award Cap Ruling Ignores Market History By Robert E. White, Jr. | June 28, 2017 In its recent ruling that the cap on noneconomic damages for personal injury awards or settlements in medical negligence cases was unconstitutional, the Florida Supreme Court ignored why these caps were put into […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-06-28 15:56:352024-11-26 00:05:36Commentary: Florida High Court Med Mal Award Cap Ruling Ignores Market History
by Michael Carroll | Jun. 23, 2017, 10:11am TALLAHASSEE — Some Florida counties are seeing a major spike in auto glass litigation, generating fears that auto insurance premiums may follow the trajectory of rising property insurance rates in the state. A recent study by the Florida Justice Reform Institute found an exponential rise in auto […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-06-23 15:58:242025-07-31 21:13:48Litigation Scheme Seen as Driving Auto Glass Claims in 5 Florida Counties
Reinsurers in Florida advised caution over AOB epidemic: Hiscox Re 15th June 2017 – Author: Marianne Lehnis If the Assignment of Benefits (AOB) epidemic sweeping Florida continues unchecked, insurers with weaker capitalisation could see rating downgrades or be put out of business entirely, while reinsurers’ credit risk skyrockets, Bevis Tetlow, Chair of Hiscox Re’s […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-06-15 15:58:552024-11-26 00:14:33Reinsurers in Florida advised caution over AOB epidemic: Hiscox Re
Insurance Commissioner Calls For Assignment Of Benefits Changes By NICK EVANS • JUN 15, 2017 Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier. CREDIT FLORIDA CHANNEL Florida’s insurance officials are considering moves to rein in assignments after the Legislature again failed to take action. The procedure allows service providers to work directly with an insurer, but some […]
by W.J. Kennedy | Jun. 7, 2017, 12:23pm TALLAHASSEE – Regular session for the Florida Legislature ended in early May without approval of legislation that would have squashed a new rash of insurance scams involving car windshield replacements, and help reverse a rapid increase in insurance rates stemming from these and related fraudulent activity. In […]
By Glenn Minnis | Jun 6, 2017 TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill passed by the Florida Senate aimed at rooting out “gotcha” public records requests that have long been a part of the state’s legal landscape. Introduced by Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota), Senate Bill 80 is designed to penalize what he calls serial records […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-06-06 15:59:182025-07-31 21:23:29Scott Signs Bill to Reduce ‘Frivolous’ Public Records Lawsuits
Professional Liability Florida Court Throws Out Cap on Medical Malpractice Damages By Mary Anne Pazanowski – June 6, 2017 Noneconomic damages are no longer limited for medical malpractice personal injury plaintiffs in Florida (N. Broward Hosp. Dist. v. Kalitan, Fla., No. SC15-1858, 6/8/17). A split Florida Supreme Court June 8 said the $500,000 per claimant cap […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-06-06 15:57:112025-07-31 20:37:47Florida Court Throws Out Cap on Medical Malpractice Damages
Auto glass lawsuits filed by a third party (through what’s known as assignment of benefits) are skyrocketing in Tampa Bay. [Times file photo] By Malena Carollo Published: May 25, 2017 Updated: May 25, 2017 at 08:57 PM When Rachel Thorpe tried to renew her auto insurance last year for her Toyta RAV4, she was stunned […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-05-25 15:59:282025-07-31 21:26:59Tampa Bay is Ground-zero for Assignment of Benefits Cases Over Broken Auto Glass
‘House of cards’ BY: BETH LUBERECKI | CONTRIBUTING WRITER May 12, 2017 Kelly Overcash, with Lykes Insurance, says the Assignment of Benefits issue is “starting to come to a head.” Another Florida Legislature session has ended, and another attempt to pass assignment of benefits reform failed. If you’ve ever gone to the doctor, you’re probably […]
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 By J. Todd Foster An appellate court on Tuesday reversed a trial court ruling that the National Council on Compensation Insurance and Florida regulators violated the state’s Sunshine Law when deliberating last year’s rate hike. The 1st District Court of Appeal’s panel decision came down to the definition of the word […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-05-10 15:55:412025-07-31 21:35:23Appellate Court Says Ratings Firm and Regulators Did Not Violate Sunshine Law
Friday, May 5, 2017 By J. Todd Foster After weeks of haggling and a last-minute flurry of amendments, the Senate had failed to vote late Thursday on attorney fee caps and other system changes that had been the legislative priority of the insurance and business industries. At least one business advocate that time may have […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-05-05 15:59:362025-07-31 21:48:26Time May Have Run Out for Work Comp Changes
Florida Business Daily Reports | May 1, 2017 Supporters of a bill restructuring the way attorneys’ fees are awarded in some property disputes are urging the Florida Senate to tackle the issue. HB 1421, relating to property insurance assignment agreements, passed last week 91-26 in the House and was referred Sunday to the Senate Banking […]
Friday, April 14, 2017 By J. Todd Foster The Republican-led Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday defied every major business organization in Florida and joined Democrats in unanimously passing a workers’ compensation reform bill that includes hourly attorney fees capped at $250. SB 1582, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, now heads to the Rules […]
By Mike Vasilinda | Posted: Thu 6:25 PM, Apr 13, 2017 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CAPITOL NEWS SERVICE) – Committees of the Florida House and Senate each voted to abolish the state’s no fault auto insurance law Thursday. The system has resulted in many fraudulent claims. Still, no one is sure if the reform will end the fraud. […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-04-13 15:57:232025-07-31 21:58:45Florida Lawmakers Get Rid of “No Fault” Insurance Law
Thursday, April 13, 2017 By J. Todd Foster Florida claimants’ attorney fees jumped 26% in the 11 months since the state Supreme Court ruled the statutory fee schedule was unconstitutional, but that spike may represent pent-up demand as attorneys held off on filing fee petitions while awaiting the high court’s decision rather than the beginning […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-04-13 15:56:162025-07-31 22:03:10Backlog of Fee Petitions Drives Up Payments to Workers’ Attorneys by 26%
by Michael Carroll | Apr. 11, 2017, 11:18am TALLAHASSEE – A constitutional amendment to impose 12-year term limits on state Supreme Court and appellate judges passed the Florida House by a bare one-vote margin on March 30, but it will now go before senators who have voiced skepticism about judicial term limits. “It’s something important […]
https://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fjri-news.jpg800800RAD Techhttps://www.fljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Florida-Justice-Reform-Institute.jpgRAD Tech2017-04-11 15:58:052025-07-31 22:04:55Judicial Term Limits Proposal Now Faces More Skeptical Lawmakers in Senate
Biz Group Asks Fla. Justices To Ditch Geico Bad Faith Case
/in Law360By Jeff Sistrunk Law360, Los Angeles (July 31, 2017, 9:10 PM EDT) — A Florida business group urged the state’s high court Monday to reject a challenge to an appellate panel’s decision that Geico didn’t act in bad faith by not settling claims against a policyholder later hit with an $8.7 million fatal-crash judgment, saying the […]
Attorneys Take No Issue With DWC’s Interpretation of Compounds as ‘Specialty Services’
/in WorkCompCentralFriday, July 21, 2017 Attorneys Take No Issue With DWC’s Interpretation of Compounds as ‘Specialty Services’ By J. Todd Foster The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation’s decision to require preauthorization for all compounded drugs represents a fair interpretation of a state statute, attorneys on both sides said Thursday. The requirement went into effect on July […]
Florida Medical Community has Few Options After Cap on Non-economic Damages Shot Down
/in Florida Recordby W.J. Kennedy | Jul. 21, 2017, 1:19pm TALLAHASSEE – The Florida medical community is still weighing its next steps following the June 8 Florida Supreme Court ruling, North Broward Hospital District v. Kalitan, that declared caps on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) unconstitutional. Options range from the futile and expensive to none. Jeff Scott, […]
Commentary: Florida Supreme Court Crowns Itself Fact-finder and Policymaker on Malpractice
/in Orlando SentinelCommentary: Florida Supreme Court crowns itself fact-finder and policymaker on malpractice Florida Gov. Jeb Bush pauses as he receives applause from Tampa area doctors and hospital staff members during a speech on medical malpractice in 2003. (SCOTT AUDETTE / Associated Press) By William Large – Guest Columnist July 17, 2017 On June 8, in North Broward […]
Commentary: Florida High Court Med Mal Award Cap Ruling Ignores Market History
/in The Insurance JournalCommentary: Florida High Court Med Mal Award Cap Ruling Ignores Market History By Robert E. White, Jr. | June 28, 2017 In its recent ruling that the cap on noneconomic damages for personal injury awards or settlements in medical negligence cases was unconstitutional, the Florida Supreme Court ignored why these caps were put into […]
Litigation Scheme Seen as Driving Auto Glass Claims in 5 Florida Counties
/in Florida Recordby Michael Carroll | Jun. 23, 2017, 10:11am TALLAHASSEE — Some Florida counties are seeing a major spike in auto glass litigation, generating fears that auto insurance premiums may follow the trajectory of rising property insurance rates in the state. A recent study by the Florida Justice Reform Institute found an exponential rise in auto […]
Reinsurers in Florida advised caution over AOB epidemic: Hiscox Re
/in Reinsurance NewsReinsurers in Florida advised caution over AOB epidemic: Hiscox Re 15th June 2017 – Author: Marianne Lehnis If the Assignment of Benefits (AOB) epidemic sweeping Florida continues unchecked, insurers with weaker capitalisation could see rating downgrades or be put out of business entirely, while reinsurers’ credit risk skyrockets, Bevis Tetlow, Chair of Hiscox Re’s […]
Insurance Commissioner Calls for Assignment of Benefits Changes
/in wfsu.orgInsurance Commissioner Calls For Assignment Of Benefits Changes By NICK EVANS • JUN 15, 2017 Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier. CREDIT FLORIDA CHANNEL Florida’s insurance officials are considering moves to rein in assignments after the Legislature again failed to take action. The procedure allows service providers to work directly with an insurer, but some […]
Consumers Paying for Florida Legislature’s Inaction on Assignment of Benefits (AOB) ‘Scams’
/in Florida Recordby W.J. Kennedy | Jun. 7, 2017, 12:23pm TALLAHASSEE – Regular session for the Florida Legislature ended in early May without approval of legislation that would have squashed a new rash of insurance scams involving car windshield replacements, and help reverse a rapid increase in insurance rates stemming from these and related fraudulent activity. In […]
Scott Signs Bill to Reduce ‘Frivolous’ Public Records Lawsuits
/in Florida RecordBy Glenn Minnis | Jun 6, 2017 TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill passed by the Florida Senate aimed at rooting out “gotcha” public records requests that have long been a part of the state’s legal landscape. Introduced by Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota), Senate Bill 80 is designed to penalize what he calls serial records […]
Florida Court Throws Out Cap on Medical Malpractice Damages
/in Bloomberg BNAProfessional Liability Florida Court Throws Out Cap on Medical Malpractice Damages By Mary Anne Pazanowski – June 6, 2017 Noneconomic damages are no longer limited for medical malpractice personal injury plaintiffs in Florida (N. Broward Hosp. Dist. v. Kalitan, Fla., No. SC15-1858, 6/8/17). A split Florida Supreme Court June 8 said the $500,000 per claimant cap […]
Tampa Bay is Ground-zero for Assignment of Benefits Cases Over Broken Auto Glass
/in Tampa Bay TimesAuto glass lawsuits filed by a third party (through what’s known as assignment of benefits) are skyrocketing in Tampa Bay. [Times file photo] By Malena Carollo Published: May 25, 2017 Updated: May 25, 2017 at 08:57 PM When Rachel Thorpe tried to renew her auto insurance last year for her Toyta RAV4, she was stunned […]
House of Cards
/in Business Observer‘House of cards’ BY: BETH LUBERECKI | CONTRIBUTING WRITER May 12, 2017 Kelly Overcash, with Lykes Insurance, says the Assignment of Benefits issue is “starting to come to a head.” Another Florida Legislature session has ended, and another attempt to pass assignment of benefits reform failed. If you’ve ever gone to the doctor, you’re probably […]
Appellate Court Says Ratings Firm and Regulators Did Not Violate Sunshine Law
/in WorkCompCentralWednesday, May 10, 2017 By J. Todd Foster An appellate court on Tuesday reversed a trial court ruling that the National Council on Compensation Insurance and Florida regulators violated the state’s Sunshine Law when deliberating last year’s rate hike. The 1st District Court of Appeal’s panel decision came down to the definition of the word […]
Time May Have Run Out for Work Comp Changes
/in WorkCompCentralFriday, May 5, 2017 By J. Todd Foster After weeks of haggling and a last-minute flurry of amendments, the Senate had failed to vote late Thursday on attorney fee caps and other system changes that had been the legislative priority of the insurance and business industries. At least one business advocate that time may have […]
Florida Senate Urged to Reform Attorney Fee Awards in Property Disputes
/in Florida Business DailyFlorida Business Daily Reports | May 1, 2017 Supporters of a bill restructuring the way attorneys’ fees are awarded in some property disputes are urging the Florida Senate to tackle the issue. HB 1421, relating to property insurance assignment agreements, passed last week 91-26 in the House and was referred Sunday to the Senate Banking […]
GOP-Led Panel Bucks Business, Passes Comp Reform Bill
/in WorkCompCentralFriday, April 14, 2017 By J. Todd Foster The Republican-led Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday defied every major business organization in Florida and joined Democrats in unanimously passing a workers’ compensation reform bill that includes hourly attorney fees capped at $250. SB 1582, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, now heads to the Rules […]
Florida Lawmakers Get Rid of “No Fault” Insurance Law
/in www.wjhg.comBy Mike Vasilinda | Posted: Thu 6:25 PM, Apr 13, 2017 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CAPITOL NEWS SERVICE) – Committees of the Florida House and Senate each voted to abolish the state’s no fault auto insurance law Thursday. The system has resulted in many fraudulent claims. Still, no one is sure if the reform will end the fraud. […]
Backlog of Fee Petitions Drives Up Payments to Workers’ Attorneys by 26%
/in WorkCompCentralThursday, April 13, 2017 By J. Todd Foster Florida claimants’ attorney fees jumped 26% in the 11 months since the state Supreme Court ruled the statutory fee schedule was unconstitutional, but that spike may represent pent-up demand as attorneys held off on filing fee petitions while awaiting the high court’s decision rather than the beginning […]
Judicial Term Limits Proposal Now Faces More Skeptical Lawmakers in Senate
/in Florida Recordby Michael Carroll | Apr. 11, 2017, 11:18am TALLAHASSEE – A constitutional amendment to impose 12-year term limits on state Supreme Court and appellate judges passed the Florida House by a bare one-vote margin on March 30, but it will now go before senators who have voiced skepticism about judicial term limits. “It’s something important […]