Arbitrary and Capricious

3,777 Florida cases classified under this topic · sorted by citation count

• Seven Cnty. Infrastructure Coal. v. Eagle Cnty.
  605 U.S. 168· U.S.· 2025-05-29 ·cited 4×
  The Supreme Court reversed the D.C. Circuit's decision vacating the Surface Transportation Board's approval of an 88-mile railroad in Utah's Uinta Basin, holding that NEPA does not require an agency to analyze environmental effects of separate upstream (oil drilling) and downstre
• Gray Television, Inc. v. Fed. Commc'ns Comm'n
  130 F.4th 1201· 11th Cir.· 2025-03-07 ·cited 4×
  Gray Television, a broadcaster operating in Anchorage, Alaska, acquired the CBS network affiliation of another local station through a transaction with Denali Media Holdings, resulting in the disputed common ownership of two top-four rated stations in violation of FCC Note 11 to
• Meisel v. Sec. & Exch. Comm'n
  97 F.4th 755· 11th Cir.· 2024-03-27 ·cited 4×
  The Eleventh Circuit held that the SEC's denial of a whistleblower award was supported by substantial evidence and not arbitrary or capricious, as the petitioner's information did not lead to the successful enforcement of the covered action.
• Conservation Alliance v. United States Dep't of Transp.
  S.D. Fla.· 2015-11-05 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Federal Highway Administration's approval of a highway project using parkland was not arbitrary or capricious, as there was no feasible and prudent alternative and all possible planning was done to minimize harm.
• Dep't OF Health v. Bayfront Med. Ctr., Inc.
  134 So. 3d 1017· Fla. 1st DCA· 2012-11-30 ·cited 4×
  The Florida Department of Health appealed the invalidation of a rule allocating trauma centers throughout Florida, arguing the administrative law judge erred in finding the rule an invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority. The First District Court of Appeal affirmed, h
• Tindell v. Tree of Life, Inc.
  672 F. Supp. 2d 1300· M.D. Fla.· 2009-11-24 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the plaintiff's administrative remedies were deemed exhausted due to the plan administrator's failure to comply with regulatory deadlines for processing her claim after an initial appeal was overturned.
• Giertz-Richardson v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins.
  536 F. Supp. 2d 1280· M.D. Fla.· 2008-03-07 ·cited 4×
  The court found that the plan administrator did not improperly weigh the evidence and was not required to give special deference to the opinions of the treating physician.
• McCawley v. Universidad Carlos Albizu (Carlos Albizu University), Inc.
  461 F. Supp. 2d 1251· S.D. Fla.· 2006-04-18 ·cited 4×
  The court held that a university's decision to dismiss a student and refuse to confer a degree, based on violations of conduct and ethical standards, is not arbitrary or capricious if it has a rational basis, even if the student completed academic requirements.
• Fla. Wildlife Fed'n v. United States Army Corps of Eng'rs
  401 F. Supp. 2d 1298· S.D. Fla.· 2005-09-30 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Corps' decision to issue a permit without preparing an Environmental Impact Statement was not arbitrary or capricious, as the project was found to have independent utility and no significant environmental impact.
• Crume v. Metro. Life Ins.
  387 F. Supp. 2d 1212· M.D. Fla.· 2005-09-07 ·cited 4×
  The court held that limited discovery outside the administrative record is permissible in ERISA cases reviewed under the arbitrary and capricious standard.
• Onofrieti v. Metro. Life Ins.
  320 F. Supp. 2d 1250· M.D. Fla.· 2004-03-22 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the administrator's decision to terminate long-term disability benefits was not wrong, and granted summary judgment for the defendant. The court also denied the plaintiff's motion to dismiss the defendant's counterclaim.
• Migliaro v. IBM Long-Term Disability Plan
  231 F. Supp. 2d 1167· M.D. Fla.· 2002-06-03 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the denial of long-term disability benefits was wrong because the insurer relied on misleading surveillance and insufficient medical evidence, and failed to adequately consider treating physicians' opinions.
• Thomas v. Lockheed Martin Info. Sys.
  155 F. Supp. 2d 1316· N.D. Fla.· 2001-03-26 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the plaintiff failed to prove disability on the critical date for his short-term disability claim and that the arbitrary and capricious standard of review applied to the long-term disability claim, which was also reasonably denied.
• Nitram, Inc. v. Indus. Risk Insurers
  848 F. Supp. 162· M.D. Fla.· 1994-03-23 ·cited 4×
  Respondents sought to vacate an arbitration award in a dispute over a tail gas expander supplied by MAN GHH to a nitric acid plant, arguing that the panel's reliance on expert witness Hansen's testimony was unfairly prejudicial, violated arbitration rules, and that the award was
• Duke v. Smith
  13 F.3d 388· 11th Cir.· 1994-02-03 ·cited 4×
  The Eleventh Circuit reversed the district court's dismissal of a § 1983 action challenging Florida's presidential primary ballot access statute, holding that the Presidential Candidate Selection Committee's reconsideration process constituted state action subject to constitution
• Harris v. Mut. OF Omaha Cos. & Rural Carrier Benefit Plan
  992 F.2d 706· 7th Cir.· 1993-04-29 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) denial of health insurance coverage for a cancer treatment was not arbitrary and capricious, as the policy's plain language and definitions of 'experimental' and 'reliable evidence' supported the denial.
• Alisa Bradley and Ronald Bradley v. Sec'y OF the Dep't OF Health & Human Servs.
  991 F.2d 1570· Fed. Cir.· 1993-04-22 ·cited 4×
  The court affirmed the Claims Court's judgment because the special master's decision was not arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.
• Marshall Cnty. Health Care Auth. v. Shalala
  988 F.2d 1221· D.C. Cir.· 1993-03-19 ·cited 4×
  The court held that a district court can properly consider the merits of an agency action on a motion to dismiss when the issue is purely legal, and that the Secretary's decision not to grant exceptions to Medicare reimbursement classifications is reviewable under the APA.
• Phillips v. Sec'y OF the Dep't OF Health & Human Servs.
  988 F.2d 111· Fed. Cir.· 1993-02-26 ·cited 4×
  The court affirms the judgment of the Court of Federal Claims, emphasizing that appeals based solely on fact-finding and credibility determinations are unlikely to succeed and waste resources.
• Paul v. Palermo
  981 F.2d 843· 5th Cir.· 1993-01-26 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the FDIC's interpretation of its regulation, which created a conclusive presumption of joint ownership for CDs based solely on a signature card, was unreasonable and contrary to law.
• Greenpeace Action v. Franklin
  982 F.2d 1342· 9th Cir.· 1992-12-29 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the arbitrary and capricious standard of review applies to an agency's decision not to prepare an initial Environmental Impact Statement when the dispute involves factual disagreements about the project's environmental impact. The court also found the case was
• Geilher Molina v. Immigr. & Naturalization Serv.
  981 F.2d 14· 1st Cir.· 1992-12-04 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Board of Immigration Appeals and the INS Legalization Appeals Unit lawfully denied the petitioner's request for amnesty and ordered his deportation, finding his drug convictions valid under federal immigration law.
• United States v. Int'l Bhd. OF Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers OF Am., AFL-CIO
  978 F.2d 68· 2d Cir.· 1992-11-02 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the district court erred in increasing a union officer's suspension without a finding that the independent administrator's original sanction was arbitrary or capricious.
• Fed. Labor Relations Auth. v. United States Dep't OF Def.
  975 F.2d 1105· 5th Cir.· 1992-10-09 ·cited 4×
  The dissent argues that United States Dep’t of Justice v. Reporters Comm. for Freedom of the Press dictates that disclosure under the FLRS is barred if it constitutes a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under FOIA Exemption 6, regardless of the requesting party's p
• Md. Dep't OF Human Res. v. United States Dep't OF Agric.
  976 F.2d 1462· 4th Cir.· 1992-09-15 ·cited 4×
  The court vacated the preliminary injunction, but the concurring opinion argues against basing the decision on the Appropriations Clause.
• Dazzio v. Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp.
  970 F.2d 71· 5th Cir.· 1992-09-01 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the FDIC abused its discretion by improperly shifting the burden of proof regarding the petitioner's ability to pay and by failing to adequately consider statutory factors, necessitating a remand for reconsideration of the penalty.
• Apache Powder Co. v. United States
  968 F.2d 66· D.C. Cir.· 1992-06-23 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the EPA's decision to include Apache Powder Company on the National Priorities List was consistent with its policy and not reversible on the grounds claimed.
• Altamont GAS Transmission Co. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm'n
  965 F.2d 1098· D.C. Cir.· 1992-06-09 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's dismissal of Altamont's pipeline application for incompleteness was not arbitrary or capricious, even though it foreclosed a comparative hearing under the Ashbacker doctrine.
• Platte River Whooping Crane Critical Habitat Maint. Tr. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm'n
  962 F.2d 27· D.C. Cir.· 1992-04-17 ·cited 4×
  The court held that FERC properly declined to unilaterally impose environmental conditions on Central's annual license and did not err in refusing to bar new irrigation contracts absent evidence of intent. The court also found that NPPD's challenge to stayed minimum flow requirem
• ST. Joseph Land & Dev. Co. v. Fla. Dep't of Natural Res.
  596 So. 2d 137· Fla. 1st DCA· 1992-03-17 ·cited 4×
  St. Joseph Land and Development Company challenged the Department of Natural Resources' imposition of a Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) on its Gulf County property, arguing DNR lacked jurisdiction because the land fronted on St. Joseph's Bay rather than the Gulf of Mexic
• State OF N.C. v. Fed. Aviation Admin.
  957 F.2d 1125· 4th Cir.· 1992-02-24 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the FAA's issuance of a final rule modifying restricted airspace was not arbitrary or capricious, and that the agency complied with NEPA requirements.
• City OF Holyoke GAS & Elec. Dep't v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm'n
  954 F.2d 740· D.C. Cir.· 1992-01-28 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the FERC acted arbitrarily and capriciously by failing to justify its use of rolled-in costs and by not disclosing the data and assumptions used in calculating the comparison rate, thus remanding for redetermination of rate reasonableness.
• State of N.Y. ex rel. NEW York State Dep't OF Env't Conservation v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm'n & Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.
  954 F.2d 56· 2d Cir.· 1992-01-13 ·cited 4×
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) erred in determining that the Salmon River was not a navigable water of the United States, and thus its order denying licenses for Niagara Mohawk's hydropower projects was arbitrary and capricious.
• Sierra Club v. Lujan
  949 F.2d 362· 10th Cir.· 1991-11-18 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Harper contract to improve a segment of the Burr Trail were adequate under NEPA, and that claims of external influence on the decision-making pr
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs v. Lujan
  949 F.2d 202· 6th Cir.· 1991-11-13 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the National Park Service regulation prohibiting trapping in national lakeshores unless specifically authorized by federal law is a reasonable interpretation of the enabling acts and the Organic Act.
• Commonwealth OF Mass. by its Dep't OF Pub. Welf. v. Yeutter
  947 F.2d 537· 1st Cir.· 1991-10-23 ·cited 4×
  The court held that while the Secretary of Agriculture had the authority to withhold funding for the Commonwealth's FSET program due to non-compliance with the mandatory participant requirement, the district court erred in deferring to the Secretary's broad substantive review aut
• Pub. Util. Dist. NO. 1 OF Douglas Cnty. v. Bonneville Power Administration
  947 F.2d 386· 9th Cir.· 1991-10-17 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Bonneville Power Administration's definition of 'impose upon' is unreasonable because it conflicts with the statutory scheme granting FERC exclusive authority over non-federal project licenses.
• Wind River Mining Corp. v. United States
  946 F.2d 710· 9th Cir.· 1991-10-08 ·cited 4×
  A plaintiff's unsupported legal characterization of an agency's action as 'ultra vires' does not preclude dismissal if the claim is not legally cognizable as such.
• Found. ON Econ. Trends v. Lyng
  943 F.2d 79· D.C. Cir.· 1991-09-06 ·cited 4×
  The court held that plaintiffs have standing under the APA and NEPA, but they failed to state a claim under NEPA section 102(2)(C) because the alleged deficiencies in the USDA's germplasm program were not the proximate cause of the global loss of germplasm.
• Callahan v. Rouge Steel Co.
  941 F.2d 456· 6th Cir.· 1991-08-13 ·cited 4×
• The Mountain States Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Fed. Commc'ns Comm'n
  939 F.2d 1021· D.C. Cir.· 1991-07-23 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the FCC's orders directing the transfer of AT&T's antitrust litigation expenses to a 'below-the-line' account, creating a presumption against their inclusion in rate-making, were arbitrary and contrary to law.
• Simmons v. Interstate Commerce Comm'n & United States
  934 F.2d 363· D.C. Cir.· 1991-05-31 ·cited 4×
  The court should have granted the petition for review and remanded the case to the Commission to determine if the transaction was a disguised line sale.
• Bosco v. The United States
  931 F.2d 879· Fed. Cir.· 1991-05-01 ·cited 4×
  The Claims Court had subject matter jurisdiction over the appellants' claims, and its determination that the IRS' reclassification of their positions was not arbitrary or capricious and was supported by substantial evidence was correct.
• In re the Est. OF Michael Patrick Smith & Carolyn Finnell v. O'Halloran
  930 F.2d 1496· 10th Cir.· 1991-04-22 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the district court erred in finding the Secretary's position substantially justified for the period before March 24, 1987, and thus plaintiffs are entitled to attorneys' fees under the EAJA for that period.
• Salt Lake City v. Western Area Power Administration
  926 F.2d 974· 10th Cir.· 1991-02-22 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the agency's requirement of utility responsibility for municipalities to receive preference under the statute contradicts Congress's clear intent.
• Cnty. OF Esmeralda v. U.S. Dep't OF Energy
  925 F.2d 1216· 9th Cir.· 1991-02-20 ·cited 4×
  The court held that the Secretary's denial of affected unit status to contiguous counties was arbitrary and capricious, as it failed to adequately consider potential environmental and transportation impacts.
• United States v. Bannister
  924 F.2d 21· 1st Cir.· 1991-01-25 ·cited 4×
  The court held that a defendant's due process rights are not violated when a district court denies a downward departure request under Sentencing Guidelines § 5K1.1 if the government, after fair consideration, declines to file a motion for substantial assistance.
• Commonwealth OF Mass. v. United States Nuclear Regulatory Comm'n & United States
  924 F.2d 311· D.C. Cir.· 1991-01-25 ·cited 4×
  The court affirmed the denial of petitions for review of the full power license and most low power issues, but remanded one low power issue for further explanation.
• Henkin v. Northrop Corp.
  921 F.2d 864· 9th Cir.· 1990-12-10 ·cited 4×
  The court held that California Insurance Code § 10209 does not apply to accidental death policies and that the Provident policy's termination language did not extend coverage to the deceased employee at the time of his death.
• Int'l Union v. Dole
  919 F.2d 753· D.C. Cir.· 1990-11-27 ·cited 4×
  The dissenting judge would remand regulations requiring proof of substantial or lasting deprivation of essential needs for waiver of overpayment, finding the requirement arbitrary and capricious.