On May 31, 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law two new bills, including HB 1021 and 1203, which amends several Florida Statutes concerning condominium, homeowner, and community associations, as well as the obligations of their managers. This new legislation is the latest attempt by the State to curb abuses of community association governance… Read More
Florida’s New Tort Reform Law and It’s Current Effect On Claims And Litigation
Written by: G. Jeffrey Vernis, Managing Partner, Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Vernis & Bowling The Florida Legislature recently passed sweeping tort reform legislation which has already impacted claims and litigation. The new legislation prompted Plaintiff’s attorneys to file tens of thousands of lawsuits in anticipation of the effective date of the new… Read More
Florida Unfavorable Exhaustion of Benefits Order/Gratuitous Payments
The Honorable Judge Myriam Lehr (Miami-Dade County – County Court) recently issued an order Granting Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment on exhaustion of benefits in New Vista Diagnostic Imaging Services v. Direct Gen. Ins. Co. on April 25, 2023. The order addresses two (2) gratuitous payment arguments raised by Plaintiff’s counsel, Demesmin & Dover, who… Read More
4th DCA Rules on Limiting Charge Issue in FL PIP Claims
On April 26, 2023, The Fourth District Court of Appeal of Florida issued a ruling which will have major implications on personal injury protection (PIP) litigation. InProgressive v. In House Diagnostic Services a/a/o Darryl Frazier, No. 4D21-2581, the 4th DCA ruled that the proper reimbursement rate for medical benefits when using the 2007 service year… Read More
Florida Local Government Law Overview of Cyber Security and Data Privacy
By Janette M. Smith, City, County and Local Government Law Section Chair of the Florida Bar With the increasing reliance on technology and the growing threat of cyber attacks, phishing, ransomware, and other cyber intrusions, governments have been taking proactive steps to strengthen their cyber security and data privacy measures. Florida has recently enacted several… Read More