Navigation New Florida bills would undo lawsuit-abuse reforms passed in 2023, critics say
Several bills recently filed in the Florida Legislature would reverse legal reforms the state has put in place in recent years, sparking concern that litigation costs for businesses and consumers’ insurance costs could spike if the measures pass.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce recently warned about legislation such as House Bills 451, 1437 and 1551, which would re-institute attorney fee awards in insurance cases and personal injury cases, and HB 947, which would allow attorneys to define the costs of medical treatments upward, beyond the actual costs paid to plaintiffs.
“These measures aim to dismantle critical components of Florida’s recent landmark lawsuit abuse reform wins, weaken the state’s improving lawsuit abuse climate, drive up litigation costs and ultimately increase the cost of living and doing business for Floridians,” the chamber said in a recent mailing.
