At the Law Office of Matthew A. Rubner, a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer based in Largo, we closely track every appellate decision affecting trucking accidents, wrongful death, rideshare claims, medical malpractice, and defamation cases. These rulings shape how injury victims recover compensation across Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and South Florida. Here’s this month’s roundup in plain English — and what each case means for plaintiffs.

1. Simon Estate v. Coyote Logistics

Lynn Joseph Simon, Jr., as Personal Representative of the Estate of Matthew Joseph Simon v. Coyote Logistics, LLC, Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, Jose M. Nieveroldan; Irizarry Rivera; Anephna Transport, Inc., and Faisan Transport Corp., Case No. 2D2023-2775, 50 Fla. L. Weekly D2269a (Fla. 2d DCA Oct. 22, 2025)

Case: A man was killed in a tractor-trailer crash, and his estate sued the shipping broker for hiring an unsafe carrier. The trial court tossed the case, saying federal law preempted it.

Ruling: The appellate court reinstated the case, holding that safety-related negligence claims against brokers are not federally preempted when tied to motor-vehicle safety.

Attorney Rubner’s Take: Great for plaintiffs. This decision helps hold freight brokers accountable when unsafe trucking partners cause fatal crashes. It likely reopens a key path to hold freight brokers accountable for unsafe carrier choices, preventing them from hiding behind federal preemption.

2. Abner v. Lyft Florida

Natasha Abner v. Lyft Florida, Inc., Case No. 3D24-0479, 50 Fla. L. Weekly D2301a (Fla. 3d DCA Oct. 22, 2025)

Case: A Lyft passenger sued after a crash, claiming Lyft should be liable for its driver’s negligence.

Ruling: The court sided with Lyft, ruling that drivers are independent contractors under Florida’s rideshare statute, not employees. (There was also no evidence Lyft negligently screened or retained the driver.)

Attorney Rubner’s Take: Tough for plaintiffs. Direct corporate liability is rare, but Lyft and Uber drivers must generally maintain higher insurance coverage limits, offering a path for recovery through their policies.

3. Blackshear v. Hayes

William Blackshear, M.D. and William Blackshear, Jr., M.D., P.A. v. Betty Jean Hayes, Case No. 2D2024-0011, 50 Fla. L. Weekly D2114b (Fla. 2d DCA Sept. 26, 2025)

Case: A kidney specialist testified about what a vascular surgeon should have done.

Ruling: The appellate court said this was not allowed—experts must share the same medical specialty when discussing standard of care.

Attorney Rubner’s Take: Be precise. Expert qualifications matter. Using the wrong medical expert can cripple a malpractice claim. Our firm ensures the right experts back every case.

4. Coleman v. Via Entertainment

Jarvis Coleman v. Via Entertainment, LLC, et al., Case No. 5D2023-2855, 50 Fla. L. Weekly D2045a (Fla. 5th DCA Sept. 12, 2025)

Case: A man leaving an event was struck by a car after a passenger accidentally shifted it into drive.

Ruling: The court ruled for the venue: the unpredictable criminal act (passenger hitting the gas) was an unforeseeable intervening cause, breaking the chain of causation.

Attorney Rubner’s Take: Neutral but instructive. Proving foreseeability is key to negligence. The defendant’s actions must directly cause the harm.

5. Black v. CNN

Michael D. Black, M.D., MBA v. Cable News Network, Inc., Case No. 4D2023-1257, 50 Fla. L. Weekly D2017a (Fla. 4th DCA Sept. 10, 2025)

Case: A pediatric surgeon sued CNN for defamation after being accused of high death rates, after a report said his death rate was triple the national average.

Ruling: The court said a jury should decide whether using unadjusted data created a false impression. Even if the numbers were technically true, they might have misled viewers.

Attorney Rubner’s Take: Encouraging for plaintiffs. Even technically true statements can be defamatory if they mislead or distort reality. It reaffirms that truth isn’t a shield when context distorts reality—an important principle in defamation and consumer-protection cases alike

Why This Matters

At the Law Office of Matthew A. Rubner, we monitor every Florida appellate and Supreme Court decision that shapes personal injury, negligence, and wrongful death law. As an experienced trial attorney, Attorney Rubner uses these precedents to deliver maximum compensation for clients across Largo, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

Hire Attorney Matt Rubner — a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer who knows the latest case law, understands every rule, and fights relentlessly for your recovery.

Contact: 434-ASK-MATT | 434askmatt.com