Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, October 20, 2017
Oct 20, 2017
Increased attorney fees in water damage case backed by Florida Supreme Court
In a case stemming from a claim for water damage, a divided Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that an attorney was entitled to receive stepped-up fees for representing homeowners against an insurance company. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida court sides with Governor Scott in nursing home generator battle
The 1st District Court of Appeal on Thursday rejected a legal challenge to emergency rules put in place by the Scott administration, the Associated Press reports.
Florida workers’ compensation rate cut explored
While the majority of this week’s hearing focused on Florida workers’ compensation rates, some asked for a crackdown on professional employer organizations. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Christine Sexton reports for the Lakeland Ledger.
Irma: 215K vehicle claims flood insurers on top of record Harvey
In the same season Hurricane Harvey is smashing records for vehicle insurance claims, a report out today says Hurricane Irma has generated a hefty number of its own in Florida – more than 215,000. The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports via the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.
Pinellas deputies go door-to-door at dawn to arrest unlicensed contractors
For years, licensed contractors in Pinellas County have yearned for law enforcement to target unlicensed roofers, painters and others in the construction trades who perform shoddy work and swindle money from homeowners. Mark Puente reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Hurricane Irma caused millions in overtime pay
Hurricane Irma cost Treasure Coast taxpayers about $5.2 million in overtime, as governments prepared for the storm, kept people safe during it and then sent workers out afterward to clean up damage. Keona Gardner, Will Greenlee and Colleen Wixon report for TCPalm.com.
Florida Utility Companies Send in Drones to Speed Up Power Restoration
Utility companies are now using the high-tech devices to help restore power faster and more efficiently in the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Irma, keeping the industry on the cutting-edge of a technology once only used by the military. Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Miami can now challenge a state rule that allows more toxins in the water
After a year of legal hurdles, the city of Miami and Seminole Tribe of Florida can now move forward with a lawsuit challenging a state rule that would allow higher concentrations of toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, to be discharged into Florida’s rivers and streams. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports.
Feds: Inspections show Lake Okeechobee’s dike sound
Federal officials are conducting daily inspections of the dike that surrounds Lake Okeechobee because of its near-record water levels. The Associated Press reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) today announced a list of three bills she has filed for the 2018 Legislative Session.
U.S. Consumer Bureau Offers Rules for Financial Data Collection
The regulator laid out a series of principles on Wednesday to establish its expectations for accessing consumer’s financial data in the course of doing business. Reuters’ Pete Schroeder reports via Insurance Journal.
Nashville Keeps Winning FEMA Flood Appeals
An analysis by The Associated Press found that over the past decade, FEMA has denied two-thirds of all appeals sought by local governments and nonprofit groups to protect or rebuild communities hit by hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes or other major disasters, Insurance Journal reports.
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