News & Events

Trucking companies are always looking for ways to get more drivers on the road because operators are getting increasingly difficult to find. Technology companies are also trying to change the world through new innovations. The combination of these factors has the trucking industry considering the future possibilities of driverless semi trucks. These potentially can help trucking companies get cargo from Point A to Point B without drivers and even more safely. Autonomous semi trucks raise interesting questions of liability in the event that one of them is involved in an accident.

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a series of bills into law that reform the property and casualty insurance industry in Florida. There was a widespread recognition that property insurance litigation and other insurance costs were spiraling out of control. Both policyholders and insurance companies were being harmed by the intermediaries that were enriching themselves at everyone’s expense with questionable tactics. In the wake of one of these new laws, Senate Bill 1598, over 400 public adjuster firms have registered with the state.

Conroy Simberg, a premier insurance and litigation defense firm with offices in Florida and Georgia, has elected two attorneys to partnership. 

• Laura LaBianca Puente | Pensacola office
• Rebecca J. Williams | Hollywood office

Today, the Florida Supreme Court issued a new rule permitting immediate appeals from trial court orders granting or denying motions for leave to amend to add a punitive damage claim.  Until now, only orders permitting punitive damage claims were appealable, but only if the trial court did not follow the statutory procedure requiring that motions for leave to amend be supported by an evidentiary proffer and proposed amended Complaint.  In other words, the appellate courts could not review the merits of the motion for leave to amend, but could only determine whether the procedural requirements were met.  As of today, the appellate courts may review the merits of any proposed punitive damage amendment, along with any procedural irregularities.