Abatement is generally the temporary or permanent halting of a process (a lawsuit) or a situation (a nuisance).
In Florida, abatement refers to the suspension or cessation of a legal proceeding or a nuisance. In the context of a lawsuit, abatement can occur for various reasons, such as the death of a party, a pending decision on a similar case in a higher court, or a defect in the suit that can be corrected. For instance, if a party to a lawsuit dies, the legal action may be temporarily halted until a representative for the deceased's estate is appointed. In terms of nuisances, Florida law allows for the abatement of nuisances that affect public health, safety, or welfare, such as environmental hazards or property conditions that violate local ordinances. This can be achieved through legal action by the affected parties or government agencies, and the responsible party may be required to cease the nuisance or take corrective action. Both types of abatement are governed by specific state statutes and case law, and the process and requirements for seeking abatement will depend on the circumstances of each case.