On Friday, March 24, 2023, Florida Governor DeSantis signed the tort reform bill (HB 837) that is expected to have significant impacts on tort litigation in the state and is effective immediately. The main objectives of the changes are to eliminate inflated or “phantom” damages and limit the number of frivolous lawsuits. 

During a webinar for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, RumbergerKirk partners addressed each category of changes including statute of limitations, comparative negligence and damage transparency. The new law is expected to bring balance and transparency to tort litigation in Florida that is long overdue and will be beneficial to business defendants who are often targets of frivolous lawsuits.