Florida reforms targeting legal system abuses signed into law

3 April 2023

A Florida reform package to reduce legal system abuses has been signed into law and could be a “huge step forward” for consumers and businesses, the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) says.

“The package includes measures that have the ability to reduce frivolous lawsuits and curb excessive litigation, which has been a significant drain on the state’s insurance providers, policyholders, and consumers for years,” Triple-I says.

“By cracking down on unscrupulous actors, Florida will encourage more insurance providers to operate in the state, reducing insurance plan costs and improving the overall availability of insurance options for all Floridians.”

Legislation approved in a special session late in 2022 focused on property insurance claims, while the latest package extends actions more widely.

“Florida has been considered a judicial hellhole for far too long and we are desperately in need of legal reform that brings us more in line with the rest of the country,” Governor Ron DeSantis said on signing the package into law.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo says the vast majority of attorneys provide sound legal representation, but there are “a few bad actors who are in the business to draw out civil cases as long as possible, collecting more and more fees from insurance companies”.

Triple-I says the law was passed with few changes, but it will continue engaging to make sure the reforms are enacted to their full potential.