NFIB Florida announced on X that it shared an op-ed by small business owner Michelle Smith defending Florida’s tort reform laws and urging their preservation.
In a recent op-ed published by the Orlando Sentinel, Michelle Smith, NFIB Florida Leadership Council Chair and owner of Source 1 Specialties, emphasized the importance of maintaining Florida’s 2023 tort reform legislation. She argued that these reforms have created a more balanced legal environment for small businesses, reducing frivolous lawsuits and lowering insurance premiums. Smith cautioned against legislative efforts to roll back these measures, stating that doing so would jeopardize the progress made in protecting small business interests.
Smith highlighted that the 2023 tort reform has led to significant savings for consumers by cutting costs, particularly in the property and auto insurance sectors. She noted that the reforms have protected small businesses from predatory legal practices, fostering a more predictable and fair legal system. Smith also mentioned that other states, such as Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana, are looking to Florida as a model for implementing similar reforms.
Florida’s House Bill 837, enacted in 2023, introduced significant changes to the state’s civil litigation system. According to the Florida Senate, the bill reduced the statute of limitations for general negligence cases from four years to two years and transitioned the state from a pure comparative negligence system to a modified one. Under the new system, plaintiffs found to be more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages, a change aimed at curbing excessive litigation and promoting fairness in the legal process.
NFIB Florida is the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a nonprofit advocacy organization representing small and independent business owners across the United States. Founded in 1943, NFIB advocates for public policies that promote small business growth and economic freedom. The organization provides its members with resources, lobbying representation, and updates on legislation impacting their operations.
