# Florida Legal Issues | Trellis

> Every legal issue Trellis tracks in Florida Circuit Courts, with a link to each issue's page of example rulings and judge data.

Last updated: 2026-10-26

## Accidents and Injuries Legal Issues

- [Animals with Dangerous Propensities (e.g., Dogs)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/animals-with-dangerous-propensities-e-g-dogs-florida-1039): Stat. (2010).)
- [Battery (Civil)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/battery-civil-florida-1040): Florida law does recognize the common law tort of battery. (Quilling v. Price (2005) 894 So. 2d 1061, 1063.)
- [Express and Implied Assumptions of Risk](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/express-implied-assumptions-risk-florida-1051): Dist. Ct. App. 2017) (“not\[ing\] that the Defendant's reply is not the same thing as asserting an affirmative defense in a pleading.”)
- [Gross Negligence](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/gross-negligence-florida-1041): The difference between simple and gross negligence has been described as follows:.
- [Medical Malpractice](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/medical-malpractice-florida-1042): Prior to initiating formal litigation for medical malpractice, through the filing of a complaint, a plaintiff must first complete a pre-suit investigation. (King v. Baptist Hosp. of Miami, Inc. (2012) 87 So. 3d 39, 42.)
- [Negligence](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligence-florida-1043): There are four elements of a negligence claim:.
- [Negligence and Res Ipsa Loquitor Doctrine](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligence-res-ipsa-loquitor-doctrine-florida-1046): To state a claim under the res ipsa loquitor doctrine an injured plaintiff must establish two things:.
- [Negligence in Personal Injury Actions](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligence-in-personal-injury-actions-florida-1045): The elements of a negligence action are the existence of a duty, a breach of the duty, a causal connection between the conduct and the resulting injury, and actual damages. (Jackson Hewitt, Inc. v. Kaman (2011) 100 So.3d 19, 27–28; Whritenour v. Thompson (2014) 145 So. 3d 870, 873.)
- [Negligence Per Se](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligence-per-se-florida-1044): In Florida, “deJesus v. Seaboard Coast Line R.R. Co., 281 So.2d 198, 200–01 (Fla.1973), established three categories of statutory or code violations and determined that two of those categories would result in negligence per se, but the third would not.” (Vitrano v. Fla.
- [Negligent and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligent-intentional-infliction-emotional-distress-florida-1047): Stat.§ 95.11(3)(a), (o), Fla.
- [Negligent Entrustment of Gun or Firearm](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligent-entrustment-gun-firearm-florida-1049): Legal Issue: Negligent Entrustment of Gun or Firearm for Florida.
- [Negligent Entrustment of Motor Vehicle (Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligent-entrustment-motor-vehicle-dangerous-instrumentality-doctrine-florida-1048): Legal Issue: Negligent Entrustment of Motor Vehicle (Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine) for Florida.
- [Premises Liability](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/premises-liability-florida-1050): Jur 2d Premises Liability § 5 (2017).)
- [Recreational Use Immunity](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/recreational-use-immunity-florida-1052): Legal Issue: Recreational Use Immunity for Florida.
- [Strict Liability for Ultrahazardous Activities](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/strict-liability-for-ultrahazardous-activities-florida-1053): Great Lakes Dredging Dock Co. v. Sea Gull Operating Corp., 460 So.2d 510, 512 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984), sets out the law of Florida in respect to liability for ultrahazardous activities:.

## Business Law Legal Issues

- [Breach of Contract](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/breach-contract-florida-1054): Legal Issue: Breach of Contract for Florida.
- [Breach of Fiduciary Duty Based on Professional Negligence](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/professional-negligence-breach-fiduciary-duty-florida-1064): The Florida Supreme Court has characterized a fiduciary relationship in the following manner:.
- [Civil Conspiracy](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/civil-conspiracy-florida-1056): Florida does not recognize civil conspiracy as a freestanding tort. (SFM Holdings Ltd. v. Banc of Am.
- [Commercial Appropriation](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/commercial-appropriation-florida-1057): Jews for Jesus, Inc. v. Rapp (2008) 997 So. 2d 1098, 1103 n.6.)
- [Contract Formation](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/contract-formation-florida-1058): An enforceable contract, requires “an offer, an acceptance, consideration, and sufficient specification of terms so that the obligations involved can be ascertained.” (W. Constr., Inc. v. Fla.
- [Fraud and Fraudulent Inducement](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/fraud-fraudulent-inducement-florida-1059): Legal Issue: Fraud and Fraudulent Inducement for Florida.
- [Fraudulent and Negligent Misrepresentation](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/fraudulent-negligent-misrepresentation-florida-1061): Legal Issue: Fraudulent and Negligent Misrepresentation for Florida.
- [Fraudulent Concealment](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/fraudulent-concealment-florida-1060): As the Florida Supreme Court stated in Proctor; 63 So.2d at 72, quoting from 34 Am.Jur. p. 188, sec. 231:.
- [Independent Contractors and Third-Party Liability](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/independent-contractor-third-party-liability-florida-1062): Legal Issue: Independent Contractors and Third-Party Liability for Florida.
- [Misappropriation of Trade Secrets](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/misappropriation-trade-secrets-florida-1081): Legal Issue: Misappropriation of Trade Secrets for Florida.
- [Professional Negligence — Action for an Accounting](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/professional-negligence-action-for-an-accounting-florida-1065): An action for an accounting is a separate and distinct cause of action that may be available where a fiduciary duty exists. (See Nayee v. Nayee (1998) 705 So.2d 961, 963.)
- [Rescission —Action or Claim](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/rescission-action-claim-florida-1066): Rescission is an equitable remedy. (See Willis v. Fowler (1931) 102 Fla. 35, 136 So. 358, 367-69; Davis v. McGahee (1972) 257 So.2d 62, 63.)
- [Restraint of Trade](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/restraint-trade-florida-1067): Legal Issue: Restraint of Trade for Florida.
- [Statutory First-Party Bad Faith Action (Insurance)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/statutory-first-party-bad-faith-action-insurance-florida-1068): In 1982, the Florida Legislature created a statutory first-party bad faith cause of action through the enactment of section 624.155.
- [Third Party Beneficiary Claim for Breach of Contract](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/third-party-beneficiary-claim-for-breach-contract-florida-1055): Under Florida law, “\[a\] person who is not a party to a contract may not sue for breach of that contract where that person receives only an incidental or consequential benefit from the contract.” (Caretta Trucking, Inc. v. Cheoy Lee Shipyards, Ltd. (1994) 647 So. 2d 1028, 1030-31; Intercoastal Realty, Inc. v. Tracy (2010) 706 F. Supp. 2d 1325, 1329.)
- [Tortious Interference with Business Relations](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/tortious-interference-with-business-relations-florida-1063): The cause of action for tortious interference with a business relationship “recognizes that economic relations are entitled to freedom from unreasonable interference.” (United Yacht Brokers, Inc. v. Gillespie (1979) 377 So.2d 668, 672.)

## Constitutional Law Legal Issues

- [Anti-SLAPP Statute](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/anti-slapp-statute-florida-1069): In creating section 768.295, the legislature specifically found that:.

## Construction Law Legal Issues

- [Construction and Subcontractor Contracts](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/construction-subcontractor-contracts-florida-1070): Blacktop, Inc. (2012) 88 So. 3d 301, 304.)
- [Latent and Patent Construction Defects](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/latent-patent-construction-defects-florida-1071): Legal Issue: Latent and Patent Construction Defects for Florida.

## Consumer Rights Legal Issues

- [Asbestos/Silica Claims](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/asbestos-silica-claims-florida-1072): The Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act (“ASCFA”) was created by chapter 2005-274, Laws of Florida.
- [Civil Theft](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/civil-theft-florida-1080): Legal Issue: Civil Theft for Florida.
- [Common Law Invasion of Privacy](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/privacy-common-law-invasion-privacy-florida-1085): As recognized in Agency for Health Care Administration v. Associated Industries of Florida, Inc., 678 So.2d 1239, 1252 n. 20 (Fla. 1996), the four categories are:.
- [Defamation by Implication](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/defamation-by-implication-florida-1083): Legal Issue: Defamation by Implication for Florida.
- [Defamation of a Public Figure](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/defamation-a-public-figure-florida-1084): Nat'l Found. (1999) 731 So. 2d 702, 706 citing Phila.
- [Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide/Duty of Care and Suicide](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/euthanasia-assisted-suicide-duty-care-suicide-florida-1073): However, Florida imposes criminal responsibility on those who assist others in committing suicide.
- [False Advertising / Misleading Advertising](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/false-advertising-misleading-advertising-florida-1074): LLC (2019) No. 18-12070, at \*6-7 citing Section 817.44; see also Samuels v. King Motor Co. of Fort Lauderdale (2001) 782 So. 2d 489, 497.)
- [False Light Invasion of Privacy Claim](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/invasion-privacy-false-light-florida-1082): In 2008, the Fourth District certified to the Florida Supreme Court the question of whether the tort of false light is recognized in Florida. (See Jews for Jesus, Inc. v. Rapp (2008) 997 So. 2d 1098, 1102.)
- [Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA Claims)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/florida-deceptive-unfair-trade-practices-act-fdutpa-claims-1075): Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (“FDUTPA”), sections 501.201 to 501.213, Florida Statutes (1991) is intended to “protect the consuming public and legitimate business enterprises from those who engage in unfair methods of competition, or unconscionable, deceptive, or unfair acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce.” (Section 501.202(2); see also Delgado v. J.W. Courtesy Pontiac GMC-Truck, Inc. (1997) 693 So.2d 602, 605-06 \[discussing the purpose of FDUTPA in light of its legislative history\].)
- [Florida Usury Law](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/florida-usury-law-1076): Stat. (1993) \[“All contracts for the payment of interest upon any loan, advance of money, line of credit, or forbearance to enforce the collection of any debt, or upon any obligation whatever, at a higher rate of interest than the equivalent of 18 percent per annum simple interest are hereby declared usurious.”\])
- [Injunction for Stalking](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/stalking-florida-1090): See ch. 2012–153, §§ 3, 6, Laws of Fla. (2012).\])
- [Judicial Foreclosure](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/judicial-foreclosure-florida-1093): Under Florida law, actions involving foreclosure of property are brought in courts of equity. (See generally Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Lupica (2010) 36 So.3d 875, 876.)
- [Lemon Law](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/florida-lemon-law-1077): The Lemon Law applies to the purchase of new motor vehicles. (See Sec. 681.102(15), Fla.
- [Marijuana Usage Laws— General](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/marijuana-laws-general-florida-1078): Dep't of Health v. Florigrown, LLC (Florida Supreme Court) No. SC19-1464, at \*3-4 \[Fla.
- [Misappropriation of Name or Likeness](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/misappropriation-name-likeness-florida-1079): Legal Issue: Misappropriation of Name or Likeness for Florida.
- [Products Liability – Breach of Implied Warranty](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/products-liability-implied-warranty-breach-florida-1087): Legal Issue: Products Liability – Breach of Implied Warranty for Florida.
- [Products Liability – Express Warranty](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/products-liability-express-warranty-florida-1086): Under Florida law, an express warranty has been defined as:.
- [Strict Products Liability for Design Defects/Manufacturing Defects](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/strict-products-liability-design-defect-manufacturing-defect-florida-1088): Grp., 977 F.3d 1331, 1343 n.5 \[11th Cir. 2020\] citing In re Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases – Report No. 09-10 (Prods.
- [Strict Products Liability – Failure to Warn](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/strict-products-liability-failure-to-warn-florida-1089): Legal Issue: Strict Products Liability – Failure to Warn for Florida.
- [Tobacco Litigation](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/tobacco-litigation-florida-1091): Legal Issue: Tobacco Litigation for Florida.
- [Wrongful Foreclosure](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/wrongful-foreclosure-florida-1092): Corp. (2011) 3:09-BK-7047-JAF, 2011 WL 5245420 at \*5.)

## Debt Legal Issues

- [Action for an Account Stated](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/action-for-an-account-stated-florida-1095): Legal Issue: Action for an Account Stated for Florida.
- [Fair Debt Collection Practices Act](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-florida-1098): Dist. Ct. App. Mar. 30, 2012\].)
- [Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/florida-consumer-collection-practices-act-1097): In Florida, consumer debt collection practices are regulated by both the FCCPA and the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692-1692p (FDCPA).
- [Prejudgment/Ordinary Writ of Replevin](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/prejudgment-ordinary-writ-replevin-florida-1099): Section 78.01 provides in pertinent part:.
- [Receivership/Appointment of Receiver](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/receivership-appointment-receiver-florida-1100): A receiver is “\[a\] disinterested person appointed by a court, or by a corporation or other person, for the protection or collection of property that is the subject of diverse claims.” (Granada Lakes Villas Condo.
- [Wage Garnishment Laws—Writ of Garnishment](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/wage-garnishment-laws-writ-garnishment-florida-1101): Under section 77.01, Florida Statutes (2013), “\[e\]very person or entity who has sued to recover a debt or has recovered judgment in any court against any person or entity has a right to a writ of garnishment, in the manner hereinafter provided, to subject any debt due to defendant by a third person....” (Kane v. Stewart Tilghman Fox & Bianchi, P.A. (2016) 197 So. 3d 137, 139 citing id.) “However, the debtor in a garnishment proceeding can seek to avoid the garnishment.” (Id. citing Sec. 77.041.)

## Education Legal Issues

- [Duty to Supervise Conduct of Pupils](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/duty-to-supervise-conduct-pupils-florida-1228): Case law is replete with instances of schools, principals and teachers being required to reasonably fulfill their duty to supervise students.

## Estate Planning Legal Issues

- [Special Needs Trust](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/special-needs-trust-florida-1239): B.J. 64 \[May 2007\].)

## Family Law & Divorce Legal Issues

- [Petition for Modification of Custody Order](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/modification-custody-order-florida-1247): A modification of custody order requires proving substantial changes in circumstances or newly discovered facts affecting child welfare that weren't known when the original decree was issued.

## Insurance Legal Issues

- [Conventional Subrogation](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/conventional-subrogation-florida-1255): Conventional subrogation in Florida is a contractual agreement where one party, having no prior interest, pays another party's debt and assumes the original creditor's rights and remedies.
- [Disclaimer of Coverage](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/disclaimer-coverage-florida-1256): In Florida, disclaimer of insurance coverage is governed by the Claims Administration Statute, requiring insurers to provide written notice within 30 days of discovering a coverage defense.
- [Equitable Subrogation](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/equitable-subrogation-florida-1257): Legal Issue: Equitable Subrogation for Florida.
- [Insurer's Duty to Defend](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/insurer-s-duty-to-defend-florida-1258): In Florida, an insurer's duty to defend is broader than its duty to provide coverage.
- [Insurers's Right to Intervene](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/insurers-s-right-to-intervene-florida-1259): In Florida, an insurer's right to intervene requires a meaningful opportunity to protect its interests while being prohibited from interfering in the trial between claimant and tortfeasor.

## Labor & Employment Legal Issues

- [Anti-Competition Covenants](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/anti-competition-covenants-florida-1261): Legal Issue: Anti-Competition Covenants for Florida.
- [Arbitration Provision in Employment Agreement](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/arbitration-provision-in-employment-agreement-florida-1260): Legal Issue: Arbitration Provision in Employment Agreement for Florida.
- [Disability Discrimination in Violation of FCRA (Florida Civil Rights Act)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/disability-discrimination-in-violation-fcra-florida-civil-rights-act-1262): Johns Cnty.
- [Disability Discrimination – Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodations](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/disability-discrimination-failure-to-provide-reasonable-accommodations-florida-1263): Legal Issue: Disability Discrimination – Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodations for Florida.
- [Equal Pay Act](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/equal-pay-act-florida-1265): July 22, 2021\].)
- [ERISA Preemption](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/erisa-preemption-florida-1264): The purpose of ERISA is to provide a uniform regulatory regime over employee benefit plans, and ERISA's preemption provisions are intended to ensure that this regulation is an exclusively federal concern. (Morton v. Nexagen Networks, Inc., No. 8:18-cv-386-T-24 MAP, at \*5 \[M.D. Fla.
- [FMLA Interference or Retaliation for Parental Leave](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/fmla-interference-retaliation-for-parental-leave-florida-1268): Sep. 17, 2014\] citing 29 U.S.C.A. § 2612.)
- [Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Supervision of Employees and Agents](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/negligent-hiring-retention-supervision-employees-agents-florida-1266): Legal Issue: Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Supervision of Employees and Agents for Florida.
- [Overtime Exemptions](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/overtime-exemptions-florida-1267): However, “there are exceptions” to this rule. (Avery v. City of Talladega, 24 F.3d 1337, 1340 \[11th Cir. 1994\].)
- [Pregnancy Discrimination in Violation of Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/pregnancy-discrimination-in-violation-florida-civil-rights-act-fcra-1269): The Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 (FCRA) is Florida’s state law prohibiting employment discrimination.
- [Retaliation in Violation of Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/retaliation-in-violation-florida-civil-rights-act-fcra-1270): The Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 (FCRA) is Florida's state law prohibiting employment discrimination, which includes retaliation. &ldquoIt is an unlawful employment practice for an employer ... to discriminate against any person because that person has opposed any practice which is an unlawful employment practice under this section, or because that person has made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this section.&rdquo (Section 760.10(7), Florida Statutes \[2016\].)
- [Sex/Gender Discrimination in Violation of Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/sex-gender-discrimination-in-violation-florida-civil-rights-act-fcra-1271): The Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 (“FCRA”) protects employees from gender discrimination in the workplace. (See Sections 760.01—760.11, Fla.
- [Sexual Harassment in Violation of Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA)](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/sexual-harassment-in-violation-florida-civil-rights-act-fcra-1272): Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Florida Civil Rights Act, so that an employee may assert a claim for sexual harassment under section 760.10, Florida Statutes (2003).
- [Unemployment/Re-employment Assistance Appeals](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/unemployment-re-employment-assistance-appeals-florida-1273): Legal Issue: Unemployment/Re-employment Assistance Appeals for Florida.
- [Unpaid Wage Claims](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/unpaid-wage-claims-florida-1274): June 4, 2020\] citing Richey v. Modular Designs.
- [Whistleblower Act Claims](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/whistleblower-act-claims-florida-1275): The Whistle-blower's Act provides a statutory cause of action for employees of state agencies, among others, who face adverse personnel action as a result of certain protected activities. (Sections 112.3187(8)(a); 112.31895(4)(a).)
- [Workers’ Compensation Claims](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/workers-compensation-claims-florida-1276): Legal Issue: Workers’ Compensation Claims for Florida.
- [Wrongful Termination – Violation of Public Policy](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/wrongful-termination-violation-public-policy-florida-1278): Dist. Ct. App. 2004) quoting and citing 572 So.2d at 903; see also City of Monterey v. Del Monte Dunes at Monterey, Ltd., 526 U.S. 687 (1999) (holding that federal cases filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 sound in tort); Scott v. Otis Elevator Co., 524 So.2d 642, 643 (Fla. 1988) (Scott I) (holding that retaliatory discharge is tortious in nature).)

## Land Use & Zoning Legal Issues

- [Community Redevelopment Act](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/community-redevelopment-act-florida-1280): Part III, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, the “Community Redevelopment Act of 1969” represents the state's response to the threat to the public health, safety, morals, and welfare from the development or spread of slums and urban blight.
- [Easement by Necessity](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/easement-by-necessity-florida-1281): Legal Issue: Easement by Necessity for Florida.
- [Eminent Domain](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/eminent-domain-florida-1282): Const. \[1968\]; Pinellas County v. Baldwin (2012) 80 So. 3d 366, 370 quoting State, Dep't of Health & Rehab.
- [Prescriptive Easement](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/prescriptive-easement-florida-1284): In Florida, a prescriptive easement is a legal right to use another's property that must be proven through clear evidence of actual, continuous, and uninterrupted use for 20 years.

## Property & Real Estate Legal Issues

- [Adverse Possession](https://trellis.law/fl/issue-type/adverse-possession-florida-1279): Legal Issue: Adverse Possession for Florida.