‘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
Opinion Editorial: Insurance abuse driving rates up Posted Apr 8, 2017 at 2:01 AM Until Hurricane Matthew raked the Atlantic coast last October, Florida had been spared major storm damage since the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons devastated homes and businesses — and the state’s property insurance industry. That historically long respite was supposed […]
OUR VIEW: Florida must restrain insurance abuse Hurricane Matthew tore through Captain Daddy’s Riverboat Restaurantin Port Orange, FL. Insurance companies say assignment ofbenefits deals drove up cost of repairs. NEWS-JOURNAL/LOLA GOMEZ Posted Apr 6, 2017 at 2:00 AM The state needs to get this right. Until Hurricane Matthew raked the Atlantic coast last October, […]
Florida lawmakers taking aim at assignment of benefits agreements by David Hutton | Apr. 4, 2017, 1:07am TALLAHASSEE — Lawyers in the Sunshine State may see storm clouds on the horizon as Florida officials look to shut down an alleged plaintiff-attorney get-rich-quick scheme. Lawyers are teaming up with local contractors to make a case to […]
by Carrie Salls | Apr. 1, 2017, 5:11pm TALLAHASSEE — A trend has emerged in the storm-battered Sunshine State in which a relatively small number of roofers and attorneys are utilizing assignment-of-benefits (AOB) clauses in homeowners’ insurance policies to sue insurance companies for more than the actual cost of repair or, in some cases, for […]
MICHAEL MOLINE March 29, 2017, 4:23 pm A proposed constitutional amendment to impose term limits on justices of the Florida Supreme Court and state appellate judges squeaked through the Florida House Wednesday after a majority defeated a series of unfriendly — even sarcastic — amendments. HJR 1, by Eustis Republican Jennifer Sullivan, won 73 “Yes” votes […]
House Approves Judicial Term Limits By BRANDON LARRABEE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA March 29, 2017 – 7:30pm The Florida House on Wednesday narrowly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit Supreme Court justices and appeals-court judges to two consecutive terms in office, sending a major priority of Speaker Richard Corcoran to an […]
House panel OKs bill to eliminate long standing PIP program, despite opposition 03/27/2017 05:08 PM EDT In lieu of the PIP policy drivers will instead be required to carry aminimum bodily injury policy of $25,000 and $50,000 for bodilyinjury or death to two or more persons. Getty TALLAHASSEE—The House Insurance and Banking Committee on Monday […]
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 Tech2017-03-27 15:50:222025-08-04 15:04:57House panel OKs bill to eliminate long standing PIP program, despite opposition
Trial lawyers gaining influence at statehouse, Florida Justice Reform Institute says by Taryn Phaneuf | Mar. 25, 2017, 5:26pm TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It has been a busy legislative session for the Florida Justice Reform Institute (FJRI), a lobbying group that encourages state lawmakers to curb litigation abuse that hurts businesses in the state. This year, the group’s […]
Florida subcommittee to hold PIP reform hearing Monday; Moves to get bad faith reform in the mix may be sidelined by Nicholas Gueguen | Mar. 24, 2017, 5:32pm TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House of Representatives Banking and Insurance Subcommittee will hold a hearing Monday involving reform of auto insurance personal injury protection (PIP) which […]
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 Tech2017-03-24 15:57:302024-11-26 01:09:44Florida Subcommittee to Hold PIP Reform Hearing Monday; Moves to Get Bad Faith Reform in the Mix May Be Sidelined
Assignment of benefits – Abuse drives up insurance A state law intended to give homeowners recourse in disputes with their insurers is instead being used by some repair vendors and their lawyers to generate a windfall. The “one-way attorney fee” allows policyholders to collect legal fees from their insurer if they win a claims […]
William Large Guest Author – March 14, 2017 A state law that was originally intended to give individual policyholders special rights in disputes with their insurance companies is instead being used by some repair vendors and their lawyers to generate a self-serving windfall. The problem is serious and growing, and it’s driving insurance costs […]
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 Tech2017-03-14 15:59:462024-11-26 01:17:50William Large: Florida Must End Assignment of Benefits Abuse, Self-serving Windfalls
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 […]
Editorial: Insurance Abuse Driving Rates Up
/in Ocala Star BannerOpinion Editorial: Insurance abuse driving rates up Posted Apr 8, 2017 at 2:01 AM Until Hurricane Matthew raked the Atlantic coast last October, Florida had been spared major storm damage since the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons devastated homes and businesses — and the state’s property insurance industry. That historically long respite was supposed […]
OUR VIEW: Florida Must Restrain Insurance Abuse
/in Daytona Beach News-JournalOUR VIEW: Florida must restrain insurance abuse Hurricane Matthew tore through Captain Daddy’s Riverboat Restaurantin Port Orange, FL. Insurance companies say assignment ofbenefits deals drove up cost of repairs. NEWS-JOURNAL/LOLA GOMEZ Posted Apr 6, 2017 at 2:00 AM The state needs to get this right. Until Hurricane Matthew raked the Atlantic coast last October, […]
Florida Lawmakers Taking Aim at Assignment of Benefits Agreements
/in Florida RecordFlorida lawmakers taking aim at assignment of benefits agreements by David Hutton | Apr. 4, 2017, 1:07am TALLAHASSEE — Lawyers in the Sunshine State may see storm clouds on the horizon as Florida officials look to shut down an alleged plaintiff-attorney get-rich-quick scheme. Lawyers are teaming up with local contractors to make a case to […]
Free-roof Insurance Scam Plauges Florida Homeowners
/in Florida Recordby Carrie Salls | Apr. 1, 2017, 5:11pm TALLAHASSEE — A trend has emerged in the storm-battered Sunshine State in which a relatively small number of roofers and attorneys are utilizing assignment-of-benefits (AOB) clauses in homeowners’ insurance policies to sue insurance companies for more than the actual cost of repair or, in some cases, for […]
Term Limits for Supreme Court, Appeals Judges Clear the House, if Barely
/in Florida PoliticsMICHAEL MOLINE March 29, 2017, 4:23 pm A proposed constitutional amendment to impose term limits on justices of the Florida Supreme Court and state appellate judges squeaked through the Florida House Wednesday after a majority defeated a series of unfriendly — even sarcastic — amendments. HJR 1, by Eustis Republican Jennifer Sullivan, won 73 “Yes” votes […]
House Approves Judicial Term Limits
/in Sunshine State NewsHouse Approves Judicial Term Limits By BRANDON LARRABEE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA March 29, 2017 – 7:30pm The Florida House on Wednesday narrowly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit Supreme Court justices and appeals-court judges to two consecutive terms in office, sending a major priority of Speaker Richard Corcoran to an […]
House Approves Judicial Term Limits
/in News Service of FloridaHouse Approves Judicial Term Limits 3/29/2017 […]
House panel OKs bill to eliminate long standing PIP program, despite opposition
/in PoliticoHouse panel OKs bill to eliminate long standing PIP program, despite opposition 03/27/2017 05:08 PM EDT In lieu of the PIP policy drivers will instead be required to carry aminimum bodily injury policy of $25,000 and $50,000 for bodilyinjury or death to two or more persons. Getty TALLAHASSEE—The House Insurance and Banking Committee on Monday […]
Trial Lawyers Gaining Influence at Statehouse, Florida Justice Reform Institute Says
/in Florida RecordTrial lawyers gaining influence at statehouse, Florida Justice Reform Institute says by Taryn Phaneuf | Mar. 25, 2017, 5:26pm TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It has been a busy legislative session for the Florida Justice Reform Institute (FJRI), a lobbying group that encourages state lawmakers to curb litigation abuse that hurts businesses in the state. This year, the group’s […]
Florida Subcommittee to Hold PIP Reform Hearing Monday; Moves to Get Bad Faith Reform in the Mix May Be Sidelined
/in Florida RecordFlorida subcommittee to hold PIP reform hearing Monday; Moves to get bad faith reform in the mix may be sidelined by Nicholas Gueguen | Mar. 24, 2017, 5:32pm TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House of Representatives Banking and Insurance Subcommittee will hold a hearing Monday involving reform of auto insurance personal injury protection (PIP) which […]
Assignment of Benefits – Abuse Drives Up Insurance
/in Tampa Bay TimesAssignment of benefits – Abuse drives up insurance A state law intended to give homeowners recourse in disputes with their insurers is instead being used by some repair vendors and their lawyers to generate a windfall. The “one-way attorney fee” allows policyholders to collect legal fees from their insurer if they win a claims […]
William Large: Florida Must End Assignment of Benefits Abuse, Self-serving Windfalls
/in Florida PoliticsWilliam Large Guest Author – March 14, 2017 A state law that was originally intended to give individual policyholders special rights in disputes with their insurance companies is instead being used by some repair vendors and their lawyers to generate a self-serving windfall. The problem is serious and growing, and it’s driving insurance costs […]