How Should Plaintiffs' law firms Respond When Faced with Defendants Seeking Their Demise?

In an email circulated to personal injury lawyers across the nation (but also equally applicable to all lawyers that represent plaintiffs against insurance companies), a prominent law firm has declared its commitment to standing firm against insurance carriers, setting a new standard for legal practices in the industry. The email emphasizes that the firm (i.e., Morgan & Morgan) will no longer grant any form of extension to carriers, regardless of the circumstances. This stance aims to protect the interests of both the firm's clients and attorneys in the face of a ruthless insurance industry.

The firm's new policy includes a categorical refusal to agree to continuances, discovery extensions, or requests to extend deadlines for answering complaints. This "redline rule" applies to all cases, even those filed prior to March. 

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has taken further steps to transform the state into a safe space for insurance companies by approving HB 837, a bill that drastically alters the landscape of tort law in Florida. This new legislation is a perfect realization of the insurance sector's aspirations, as it modifies Florida's bad faith law, abolishes one-way attorney fee provisions, shortens the statute of limitations for negligence lawsuits, implements a modified comparative fault system, restricts compensation, and introduces other changes.

The email made it clear that any courtesies extended to the insurance industry will be considered a serious internal offense. While personal connections with defense attorneys may exist, the firm emphasizes that their loyalty is to their clients and not to those who work for the insurance industry. The email portrays insurance carriers as an enemy that has tried to harm the personal injury industry and its clients, particularly citing a recent incident in Florida.

In cases where extenuating circumstances might benefit the firm's clients, the email advises attorneys to seek prior approval from their superiors. However, as a general rule, the firm is committed to not giving "one single inch" to insurance carriers.

A direct copy of the email is provided here for your review- this is from Morgan & Morgan, which I must say I tend to agree with:

Good morning PI lawyers across the country!​

As we enter this new era, I want to make it unequivocally clear that we will not be giving an inch to carriers ever again.
Not one inch.
Specifically, as a matter of policy we will not be granting any extension of any sort moving forward for any reason.
They can figure it out or file a motion.
Under no circumstances will we be agreeing to any continuances, discovery extensions, or request to extend deadline to answer complaints.
Redline rules.
It will be a serious internal offense if we find any courtesies being extended to the insurance industry.
Including cases filed prior to March.
No discovery extensions.
No matter the circumstances.
We may want to help the human being defense attorney because we know them and maybe like them, but we will not because they work for an enemy who is heartless and ruthless.
The enemy who just tried to kill us in FL.
They work for the enemy who would like nothing more but for you to be unemployed.
We work for the people.
Exclusively.
They tried to take from the most vulnerable people and consequently, from your families.
No extensions for responses to our complaints.
If there are extenuating circumstances that would benefit our client only please reach out to Matt or John Smith for prior approval.
As a blanket rule we will be giving not one single inch.
LFG.

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