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Sharp differences over changing Florida's law on personal injury and damage lawsuits

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Summary

There is disagreement over proposed legislation in the Florida House and Senate that would change the state's law on personal injury and damage lawsuits. Supporters say it will target lawsuit abuse, while critics argue it will benefit insurance companies and strip away legal rights from victims. Motorcyclists, small business owners, civil trial lawyers, and a crash victim have voiced their support or opposition to the bill. Proponents argue the legislation will provide accurate information to juries and help settle good faith disputes, while critics say it will limit what injured parties can present at trial and limit reimbursement for hurricane-related damages.

Q&As

What led to the proposed changes to Florida's law on personal injury and damage lawsuits?
The proposed changes to Florida's law on personal injury and damage lawsuits were proposed to target lawsuit abuse.

What do proponents of the legislative changes believe this will accomplish?
Proponents of the legislative changes believe this will eliminate lawsuit abuse by limiting what can be shared to a jury, further protecting businesses from negligence.

How do opponents of the proposed changes feel it will affect victims?
Opponents of the proposed changes believe this will strip Floridians of their legal rights in civil cases.

What is the impact of HB 837 on those without insurance or a letter of protection with a physician?
HB 837 would limit what injured parties can present at trial if they don’t have insurance or are under a letter of protection with a physician.

What are the potential consequences of the proposed changes for small businesses and insurance policyholders?
The potential consequences of the proposed changes for small businesses and insurance policyholders include higher liability premiums and an increase in frivolous lawsuits. Additionally, policyholders may be unable to receive full reimbursement for their losses.

AI Comments

👍 This article sheds light on the issue of HB 837 and the debate surrounding it, providing insight from those who are for and against the bill. It also highlights the story of Sophia Spero, showing the real-life impact of the proposed changes.

👎 This article fails to provide any clear solutions to the problem of HB 837, instead leaving readers with an incomplete understanding of the issue. Furthermore, the article fails to provide any potential remedies to the problems that have been identified.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about a bill that is going through the Florida legislature that would change the law on personal injury and damage lawsuits. Critics of the bill say that it would benefit insurance companies instead of victims, while proponents argue that it would target lawsuit abuse.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. What are the implications of this bill?

Me: Well, if it goes through, it could mean that victims would be limited in what they can present at trial and that doctors may charge less for services. It could also mean that insurance companies could avoid paying out for damages, which could make it difficult for victims to get full reimbursement for their losses. Additionally, it could make it harder for people to get justice and could limit the amount of money people can receive in lawsuits.

Action items

Reach out to your local representatives to voice your opinion on the proposed legislation.
Research the organizations mentioned in the article, such as MADD and The James Madison Institute, to learn more about their positions on the proposed legislation.
Join a local advocacy group to stay informed on the latest developments in the proposed legislation and to take action to support or oppose it.

Technical terms

House Bill (HB) 837: A bill passed by the Florida House of Representatives that deals with a range of civil litigation matters.
Senate Bill (SB) 236: A bill currently laid on the Senate table and is nearing law eligibility.
Statute of Limitations: A law that sets a time limit on how long a person has to file a lawsuit.
Letter of Protection: A document that allows a medical provider to provide medical services to a patient without requiring payment up front.
Cottage Industry: A small business or industry that is typically run from a person's home.
Phantom Damages: Damages that are claimed but not actually incurred.
Frivolous Lawsuits: A lawsuit that is brought without merit or legal basis.
Manipulation Procedure: A medical procedure used to restore range of motion in a joint or limb.