Case Name: Robert D. RYAN and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a foreign corporation, Appellants, v. Ruth GLADWELL and Richard M. Gladwell, Executors of the Estate of William W. Gladwell, Deceased, Appellees
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1972-08-01
Citations: 265 So. 2d 63
Docket Number: No. 72-9
Parties: Robert D. RYAN and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a foreign corporation, Appellants, v. Ruth GLADWELL and Richard M. Gladwell, Executors of the Estate of William W. Gladwell, Deceased, Appellees.
Judges: Before BARKDULL, C. J., and PEARSON and HENDRY, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 265
Pages: 63–64

Head Matter:
Robert D. RYAN and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a foreign corporation, Appellants, v. Ruth GLADWELL and Richard M. Gladwell, Executors of the Estate of William W. Gladwell, Deceased, Appellees.
No. 72-9.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
Aug. 1, 1972.
Weissenborn, Burr & Hyman, Miami, for appellants.
Horton, Schwartz & Perse, Sams, Anderson, Alper, Spencer & Post, Miami, for appellees.
Before BARKDULL, C. J., and PEARSON and HENDRY, JJ.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
The point presented on this appeal urges that the trial court erred in ruling against the appellants when they moved to amend their answer by asserting a defense "in the nature of res judicata." During the trial, appellants' counsel sought to introduce into evidence a "hold harmless agreement" whereby an insurance company for a jointly liable defendant paid the full extent of its coverage in return for plaintiffs' agreement to hold it harmless from all monetary exposure incurred as a result of the litigation. The court properly held that the execution of this agreement did not constitute a splitting of the cause of action. See Fla.Stat. § 768.041, F.S.A.; Jacksonville Terminal Company v. Misak, Fla.1958, 102 So.2d 295; Clemons v. Clark, Fla.App.1965, 172 So.2d 242.
Affirmed.