Three bills passed in the Florida Legislature would limit whom trial lawyers can sue, regulates how they conduct their cases, and gives new ammunition to defendants, the Buzz political blog of the
St. Petersburg Times reports. Republican Gov. Rick Scott is reviewing the bills and is expected to sign all of them into law, despite the objections of trial lawyers.
One bill extends protection from malpractice lawsuits to doctors affiliated with the University of Miami, which spends $40 million a year defending such cases. The legislation also would cover doctors at other public and nonprofit hospitals that have teaching relationships with state universities.
Another bill, aimed at expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases, would strip them of their licenses if they are found to have given deceptive testimony.
The third bill grants automobile manufacturers in the state expanded rights to defend themselves in crash liability cases.
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