Lisa outside the Florida House of Representatives chamber during session
While I was running during the legislative session working on last minute amendments, I was asked by Orlando’s WKMG-TV to share my hurricane preparedness tips to ease the insurance claims process afterward with Emmy award-winning investigative reporter Mike Holfeld. Mike has long been a champion of helping his viewers be prepared for the storm because he knows that storms don’t avoid inland Orange County and surrounding areas. In fact, while I was in Panama City and surrounding areas a couple weeks ago, I asked Mike to talk to one of the local business owners about their struggle with the ongoing devastation of Hurricane Michael.
Mike’s big hurricane season-eve story will air on May 31 and my interview will be part of the story. One of the most important things our firm can do is not forget that storm season comes EVERY year and we need to prepare like a storm is going to happen tomorrow!
I was also asked by several reporters at the Capitol about what I think will happen as a result of passage of the Assignment of Benefits (AOB) reform legislation that is on its way to the Governor. In my estimation, there will be a flood of suits (more than ever dreamed) as the lawsuit factories by the handful of trial lawyers ramp up to “beat” the effective date of the law, July 1. The legislature saw fit to adjust the implementation date with an amendment that makes it effective upon the Governor’s signature versus July 1, but even with that improvement, we are still anticipating a slew of suits before the Governor signs the bill. (See more in our Bill Watch.)
The courts system will experience an exponential increase in these suits. In fact, a circuit judge who I met in the coffee shop in the Capitol asked me about the status of the AOB law and I had to break the news to him. He just shook his head. In my opinion, I believe judges have figured out that most of these cases are filed for purposes other than to help clients resolve disputes. They are filed simply to delay claims and collect attorney fees.
Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Florida Capitol, April 29, 2019
While at the Capitol last Monday morning I took time to pause outside in the courtyard where a large crowd gathered to listen to the Governor and others speak of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform at the annual Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Service. Last year, 11 Florida officers lost their lives in the line of duty, part of the 163 across the nation. Attorney General Ashley Moody solemnly noted that if not for those who enforce the laws, the legislature’s work would “just be words on a paper.” I had the privilege of joining Senator Ben Albritton’s legislative executive Karen Whaley at the memorial. She is retired law enforcement, after serving many years, and is an incredible lady that has taught me a lot about being careful on the dark Tallahassee streets when leaving the Capitol!
I hope many of you will stay in touch with me over the summer so that I can listen to what is happening “on the ground.” Thanks for the strong encouragement many of you shared this entire 60-day session. With the session over, our LMA Newsletter will now resume its every-other-week publishing schedule. Stay tuned now for a complete wrap-up of which bills made it and which didn’t as the legislature finished its 2019 session this past weekend, plus other insurance and related news of interest!
LMA Newsletter of 5-6-19
