Judge Denies Publix’s Motion
Judge Honeywell denied Publix’s motion for summary judgment, stating that the damages alleged in the opioid lawsuits were too far removed from the bodily injuries caused “because of” opioid addiction, as required by the policies. She explained that, under Florida law, the term “because of” implies a direct causal connection, not the broader “but-for causation” that was argued by Publix.
Legal Representation
Attorneys for Publix, ACE Property and Casualty, Liberty Insurance, and the other insurers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Publix is represented by a team from Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna LLP and Friedman PA. The insurers are represented by various law firms, including Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP, and Ruggeri Parks Weinberg LLP.
Case Information
The case, Publix Super Markets Inc. v. ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Co. et al., is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, under case number 8:22-cv-2569.
