Katelyn Ferry Testifies at House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee
Partner Katelyn Ferry testifed before the House Civil Justice and Claims Submittee on behalf of the Florida Justice Reform Institute in opposition to HB 1551. Under this proposed legislation, offers of judgment and proposals for settlement would be eliminated in favor a new fee shifting provision. However, this provision is unworkable as currently drafted and would act as a back door way to reintroduce attorney’s fees.
If this bill passes, it will eradicate the Florida insurance market and devastate its citizens. The positive changes brought by the 2022 legislation will be erased. If you vote in favor of this bill, carriers will begin to leave the Florida market or face insolvency. Homeowners will again see spikes in their insurance premiums which they cannot afford due hugely to lack of confidence from reinsuers being subjected to a new version of 1-way fees. Citizens will see a volume of policies it is not equipped to handle. The only people this bill helps are the attorneys, which has never been the focus of the reform. We need to allow the prior legislative changes to manifest before another change to stabilize the market.
Click the link below to watch the session, specifically minutes 1:27:00 – 2:20:00.
