Florida introduces measures to cut down on ‘frivolous’ lawsuits
Posted On: Feb. 15, 2023 11:58 AM CST
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner Wednesday introduced legislation they said would decrease "frivolous" lawsuits and prevent “predatory” practices of trial attorneys.
The new measures include eliminating one-way attorneys fees and fee multipliers for all lines of insurance, modernizing Florida’s “bad faith” law, and protecting small businesses from paying exorbitant damages, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
Eliminating one-way attorneys fees for all lines of insurance and fee multipliers is aimed at disincentivizing frivolous lawsuits, the statement said.
Florida’s “bad faith” law would be updated to incentivize good faith between both parties and promote the best interest of the consumer with consumer-focused protections to ensure that bad actors are held accountable, the statement said.
The measures would also institute changes designed to protect small businesses from being subjected to paying exorbitant damages when they are not primarily at fault and set standards for awarding medical damages to prevent fraudulent practices, according to the statement.
The move follows efforts late last year to stabilize property insurance markets in the state.