Articles by Brendan Farrington

Florida High Court to Decide on $3.3 Million Award to Man Mistaken for Bank Robber

Rodolfo Valladares wore the wrong hat to the wrong Miami bank while trying to cash a $100 check in a case of mistaken identity that’s led to a court battle over $3.3 million. A bank teller mistook Valladares for a …

Florida Gun Owners Without Permits Get Exemption for Hurricanes

Florida gun owners who don’t have a concealed weapons permit can now take their firearms with them while fleeing a hurricane. Not that it’s been a big problem in Florida in the past. No one can cite an example of …

Family of Paralyzed Florida Teen Will Get $3.5M Settlement From New Law

The family of a Jacksonville teenager who was left paralyzed by a falling tree limb will receive a $3.5 million settlement under a bill the Legislature sent to Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday. If Scott signs the bill, Joseph and …

Florida Houses Passes Bill to Study, Regulate Fracking in State

The Florida House passed a bill Monday to study and regulate fracking, as well as prevent local governments from banning the oil and gas drilling practice. Democrats strongly opposed the bill, saying hydraulic fracturing would put the water supply at …

Florida’s Crist, Scott Spar Over Property Insurance in Race for Governor

Democrat Charlie Crist said he successfully reduced rising property insurance rates as governor and will do so again if elected, vowing to repeal a law enacted under Republican Gov. Rick Scott that he said provides weaker coverage at a higher …

Florida Supreme Court Fate to Rest With Winner in Governor’s Race

If former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is elected governor as a Democrat in November, all seven state Supreme Court justices might be his appointments. If Republican Gov. Rick Scott is re-elected, he could completely reshape the court that has frustrated …

Florida Medical Malpractice Caps Ruled Unconstitutional

The Florida Supreme Court ruled caps placed on how much money people can receive in cases where a doctor’s mistakes led to a patient’s death are declared unconstitutional. The lawsuit limits were part of a law then-Republican Gov. Jeb Bush …

Florida Supreme Court Rejects Rule on Medical Malpractice Expert Testimony

The Florida Supreme Court refused last Thursday to adopt a state rule reflected in a law that creates restrictions on doctors who can testify during medical malpractice trials, agreeing it would have a chilling effect on the ability to find …

Ex-Republican Crist Expected to Run For Governor in Florida as Democrat

Charlie Crist hopes that the hug that hurt him becomes the hug that now heals him. Democratic President Barack Obama embraced Crist, then Florida’s Republican governor, at a 2009 rally. Republican Marco Rubio used the image to successfully chase Crist …

Florida’s Ex-Republican Governor Crist Eyes Return as Democrat

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who was elected the state’s chief executive as a Republican and then ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent, has announced that he’s switching to the Democratic Party. Crist revealed his long-anticipated conversion …