Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Blog

In SC20-1490 (December 31, 2020), the Florida Supreme Court amended the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.510 to make it easier for judges to decide issues at a summary judgment hearing rather than a jury trial. The Old Rule v. The New Rule Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.510(c) (prior to...

In the case of Gloria Cabrera v. Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, Case Number 3D19-2301 (Fla. 3rd DCA December 16, 2020), Florida’s Third DCA held that it was error for a jury to award damages for past medical expenses but nothing for pain and suffering. Facts And Injury Ms....

In the case of Coccaro v. GEICO (Case Number 4D19-3665) and Brown-Peterkin v. Williamson (4D19-2950)(November 12, 2020), Florida’s Fourth DCA did not certify that a class action case against GEICO for electronic UM rejections that do not comply with Florida law. Importance...

In the case of Dominos Pizza, LLC v. Yvonne Wiederhold, as PR for the Estate of Richard Wiederhold, Case Number 5D19-2343 (Fla. 5th DCA October 23, 2020), Florida’s Fifth DCA affirmed the use of an “agency” jury instruction as it relates to the...

In the case of Cavanaugh v. Stryker Corporation, Case Number 4D19-523 (Fla. 4th DCA October 7, 2020), Florida’s Fourth DCA held that complex medical devices are subject to a “risk utility test” as opposed to a “consumer expectations test” for product...

In the case of Tracy Greene v. Twistee Treat USA, LLC, et al, Case Number 2D18-4064 (Fla. 2d DCA September 4, 2020), Florida’s Second DCA held that a man-made depression in a parking lot was not so open and obvious that summary judgment should be granted in favor of the...

In the case of Robert Aguila v. Marjorie Frederic, Case Number 3D20-0726 (Fla. 3rd DCA August 26, 2020), Florida’s Third DCA held that a defendant under a criminal investigation has a Fifth Amendment privilege against disclosure of cell phone use during a car...

In the case of Richard Solomon v. State Farm, Case Number 5D18-3920 (Fla. 5th DCA August 21, 2020), Florida’s Fifth DCA held that an advance payment by a UM carrier is considered a setoff. Underlying Facts Solomon sued State Farm as the uninsured motorist carrier for a...

In the case of Kyle Dale v. Viktoria Schaub and State Farm Automobile Insurance Company, Case Number 4D19-900 (Fla. 4th DCA August 19, 2020), Florida’s Fourth DCA held that a mistake in the amount of a proposal for settlement with a number not consented to by the client was...

In the case of USAA v. Robyn Rey, Case Number 2D18-5120 (Fla. 2d DCA August 5, 2020), Florida’s Second DCA held that USAA was not required to present expert testimony to rebut conflicting evidence on causation of injuries resulting in reversal of jury verdict. Outline of...

In the case of Curtis Luckman v. Alfred Harris Wills, et al., Case Number 3D19-453 (Fla. 3rd DCA July 29, 2020), Florida’s Third DCA held that a hotel operating a complimentary golf cart had no duty after the passenger voluntarily disembarked. Facts of the Case Luckman...

In the case of Betty Jean Haynes v. William Blackshear, Jr., MD, Case number 2D18-4649 (Fla. 2d DCA July 17, 2020), Florida’s Second DCA held that engaging in unnecessary diagnostic tests is considered an independent cause of action under section 766.111, Fla. Stat. As such,...

In the case of Sompun Ruchimora v. Bernice Grullon, Case Number 3D19-753 (Fla. 3rd DCA July 15, 2020), Florida’s Third DCA held that introducing evidence of a claimant’s referral relationship with a medical provider opens the door to inferences and arguments by defense...

In the case of Liberty Mutual v. Jeffrey H. Wolfson, Case Numbers 4D18-3652 and 4D19-118 (Fla. 4th DCA June 24, 2020), Florida’s Fourth DCA held that there is a setoff for settlements when a plaintiff is covered by more than one UM policy. What Happened In The...

In the case of Owners Insurance Company v. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and James M. Horne, Jr., Case Number 2D18-2309 (Fla. June 19, 2020), Florida’s Second DCA held that a policy providing an insured with bodily injury coverage must also provide uninsured...

In the case of Rockledge HMA, LLC, et al., v. Michael S. Lawley, et al., Case Numbers 5D19-1223, 5D19-1919, 5D19-1225, and 5D19-1957, (Fla. 5th DCA May 29, 2020), Florida’s Fifth DCA held that an accusation against a hospital for failing to complete medically necessary...

In the case of Lexington Insurance Company v. Towanna James, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Noami James, et al, Case Number 1D19-1954 (Fla. 1st DCA May 8, 2020), Florida’s First DCA held that an insurance company with the amount of damages limited by a bankruptcy...

In the case of Kyle Lambert v. Bruce Emerson, Cases 2D18-1872 and 2D18-4103 (Fla. 2d DCA April 1, 2020), Florida’s Second DCA held that the dangerous instrumentality doctrine did not create vicarious liability for a family member who was a bailee of a vehicle and was then...

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020, provides temporary immunity regarding COVID-19 emergency treatment from volunteers. Volunteer Health Care Professionals Will Get Limited Immunity During...

In the case of Brian Walker, as personal representative of the Estate of Sophie C. Walker v. GEICO Inemnity Company, Case Number 4D18-3706 (Fla. 4th DCA March 25, 2020), Florida’s Fourth DCA held that an at-fault driver with coverage under four policies had more than the...