A highly controversial move to increase the amount of damages plaintiffs could recover in lawsuits is on hold after hitting a buzz saw of opposition from business groups.
Republican Senator Greg Steube of Sarasota wants to expand pre-suit interest charges to non-economic damages, but was forced to temporarily postpone a vote in the Senate Rules Committee. National Federation of Independent Business lobbyist Tim Nungesser summed up the concerns.
“Our members create about two-thirds of all jobs in the state of Florida and they’re getting hammered with workers’ comp increases, health insurance increases, and this is an opportunity, we believe, for the Legislature to stop increases in other insurance costs.”
Democratic Senator Bill Montford of Tallahassee said school districts were already buried in lawsuits. Stuebe’s proposals to allow open carry and campus carry for concealed weapon permit holders are also stalled in the upper chamber.
