Florida Governor Signs Two Lawsuit-Limiting Bills Into Law
It may have gotten even more difficult and more expensive to protect your legal rights in Florida after Governor Rick Scott recently signed two business-friendly measures into law that raise the bar for expert witness standards.
Both Measures HB 7015 and SB 1792 were recently signed into law by the governor and both deal with the sometimes contentious issue of what constitutes an expert witness.
HB 7015 will now require courts in Florida to use the three-part test used by the federal government to determine if a witness is considered an expert in a particular field. SB 1792 specifies that in a health-related lawsuit, only a doctor who practices in the same specialty as a physician who is being sued will be admitted as an expert witness.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce lauded Scott’s decision to sign the bills, claiming that the new laws will improve Florida’s legal atmosphere and make the state more competitive.
The Florida Justice Association did not agree with that contention. The association’s executive director said that the laws will actually hurt business because legal fees and other costs associated with finding expert witnesses will rise, making it more difficult for small businesses and individuals alike to seek justice.
The executive director laid out a grim scenario now that the two bills have been signed into law. “Trials will be won not on the grounds of who has the strongest case, but rather who has the largest bank account, “ she said.
Despite a litany of legislative roadblocks designed to make it more difficult to defend your legal rights in Florida, the legal team at the law firm of Farah & Farah in Jacksonville is and always will be dedicated to helping you seek the justice you deserve. If you have any questions about your legal options, contact us and we will discuss your case — at no cost or obligation to you.
