Source: http://flprobateresource.lexblognetwork.com/articles/new-probate-cases/wrongful-death-claims/
Timestamp: 2018-01-18 23:28:56
Document Index: 329065437

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 768', '§ 733', '§ 744', '§ 744', '§ 744', '§ 744', '§ 744']

Wrongful Death Claims : The Florida Probate Litigation Blog [Redev]
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Florida's "Relation Back" Doctrine
Posted on June 28, 2006 by Juan Antunez
THIRD DCA AFFIRMS "RELATION BACK" DOCTRINE ON APPEAL
Posted on April 23, 2006 by Juan Antunez
Second DCA Reverses Trial Court's Grant of $410,300 in Attorneys' Fees
Probate issues do not, as they say, "drive the train" in wrongful death cases. But, as a matter of Florida law, these cases may ONLY be litigated by personal representatives. Because wrongful death cases MUST be litigated within the context of a probate proceeding, getting the probate issues "wrong" can come back to bite litigation counsel in a very big way - as demonstrated by this case.
This case started out as a medical malpractice action and was then amended to a wrongful death action when the infant at the center of the litigation died. After a jury trial the parents of the deceased child, acting as co-personal representatives of the child's estate, were awarded a judgement of $2.3 million. On a subsequent motion for attorneys' fees based on a proposal for settlement signed only by the child's mother . . . and only in her individual capacity, Hillsborough County Judge Sam D. Pendino awarded the child's parents $410,300 in attorneys' fees (about 18% of the total damages award).
On appeal the Second DCA reversed the trial court's fee award based on what I am sure appeared to be the height of "form" over substance to plaintiffs' counsel. If you take a minute to think about it, however, the Second DCA probably got this one right. Adopting the statutory analysis of a 2004 Third DCA opinion addressing a similar set of facts, Saia Motor Freight Line, Inc. v. Reid, 888 So.2d 102 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004), the Second DCA explained its ruling as follows:
We agree with the holding in Reid. . . . In a wrongful death case where there are joint personal representatives, the joint personal representatives are the party plaintiffs. As the party plaintiffs, only the joint personal representatives-acting in that capacity-are entitled to make a valid demand for judgment. The demand for judgment at issue here therefore was invalid. See §§ 768.20, 768.79, Fla. Stat. (2001); Reid, 888 So.2d at 103.
Section 733.615 provides that "multiple representatives must act in concert, and have no authority to act independently, regardless of the circumstances." Messina v. Scionti, 406 So.2d 529, 532 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981). See also Costello v. Davis, 890 So.2d 1179 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004) (holding that one co-personal representative did not bind the other co-personal representative to a contingent fee agreement with counsel because the other co-personal representative did not join in the agreement); Pearce v. Foster, 454 So.2d 721 (Fla. 4th DCA 1984) (holding that a co-personal representative could not unilaterally file a notice of appeal without concurrence of the other co-personal representative). In addition, there was no evidence that Rebeca Ipox had been delegated to act on behalf of the other co-personal representative. See § 733.615(1) (providing that concurrence of all joint personal representatives is not required "when a joint personal representative has been delegated to act for the others").
Because the proposal for settlement that served as the basis for the award of attorneys' fees in this case was not served by both the Ipoxes as joint personal representatives, the trial court erred in relying on it. Therefore, we reverse the award of attorneys' fees.
Posted on August 10, 2005 by Juan Antunez
Martin v. Hacsi, 2005 WL 1842678 (Fla. 5th DCA August 5, 2005) (Trial Court Affirmed)
Counsel for the defendant in a personal injury action filed a motion for enforcement of Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.260(a) based on the plaintiff's failure to move to substitute a party defendant within 90 days after a suggestion of death was filed. Sumter County Circuit Court Judge Hale R. Stancil granted the motion and dismissed the lawsuit. On appeal, the 5th DCA affirmed, providing some very helpful guidance along the way for plaintiffs trying to figure out what to do when a defendant dies and no personal representative is appointed.
Tags: Practice & Procedure, Wrongful Death Claims
Posted on July 15, 2005 by Juan Antunez
Global Travel Marketing, Inc. v. Shea, 2005 WL 1576244, 30 Fla. L. Weekly S511 (Fla. July 7, 2005) (Fourth DCA Reversed)
In a case that is sure to be of interest to personal injury attorneys (and the probate/guardianship attorneys they work with), the Florida Supreme Court reversed the Fourth DCA and held that an arbitration agreement incorporated into a commercial travel contract is enforceable against the minor's estate in a tort action arising from the contract. Although not central to the Supreme Court's ruling, the Court did provide the following helpful summary of current Florida law regarding when legal guardianships must be established to settle a minor's civil claims:
Under section 744.301(2), Florida Statutes (2004), parents, acting as the natural guardians of their minor children, [FN6] may settle their children's claims for amounts up to $15,000. A net settlement greater than $15,000 on behalf of a minor requires establishment of a legal guardianship. See § 744.387(2), Fla. Stat. (2004). If a legal guardian and a minor have potentially adverse interests, or if otherwise necessary, the trial court may, for a settlement greater than $15,000, and must, for a settlement greater than $25,000, appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the minor's interests. See § 744.301(4)(a); Fla. Stat. (2004). A presuit settlement on behalf of a minor requires court authorization, which may be given if the court determines that the settlement is in the minor's best interest. See § 744.387(1), Fla. Stat. (2004). Settlement of a pending claim also requires court approval. See § 744.387(3)(a), Fla. Stat. (2004).
FN6. For children of divorced parents, "the natural guardianship shall belong to the parent to whom the custody of the child is awarded." § 744.301(1), Fla. Stat. (2004).
Court says NO to holding personal representative personally liable for attorney's fees and costs in unsuccessful wrongful death lawsuit
Posted on June 29, 2005 by Juan Antunez
Beseau v. Bhalani, 2005 WL 1488584 (Fla. 5th DCA June 24, 2005) (Trial Court Reversed)
In the underlying wrongful death suit, the defendants prevailed after a jury trial. They then obtained an order awarding attorney's fees and costs against the personal representative of the decedent's estate . . . in her individual capacity. Apparently Volusia County Judge J. David Walsh thought this was OK because the personal representative was named "individually" in the complaint's caption and she never objected. The Fifth DCA made quick work of the case pointing out that regardless of what the complaint's caption may have said, the body of the complaint made clear that the lawsuit was brought on behalf of the estate, not the individual who happened to be serving as personal representative. And if you're not a party to the lawsuit, the court can't assess a judgment against you . . . even if you don't object.
The 90-day time limit for moving to substitute parties under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.260 does not apply when the personal representative of an estate dies
Posted on May 16, 2005 by Juan Antunez
Estate of Morales v. Iasis Healthcare Corporation, 2005 WL 1107067 (Fla. 2 DCA May 11, 2005) (Trial Court Reversed)
Normally, Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.260 requires that a plaintiff be substituted in a pending lawsuit within 90 days after the original plaintiff's death is "suggested on the record." Failure to comply with this deadline results in dismissal of the pending lawsuit. In this case, the personal representative of the estate died while a medical malpractice lawsuit was pending. Pinellas County Circuit Court Judge James R. Case dismissed the pending malpractice lawsuit under Civil Procedure Rule 1.260 because the estate's successor personal representative did not file a motion for substitution within 90 days of the suggestion of death.