Case Name: Claud N. CHAPPELL and Affordable Air Systems, Inc., n/k/a Absolutely Cool, Inc., Appellants, v. AFFORDABLE AIR, INC. Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1998-02-06
Citations: 705 So. 2d 1029
Docket Number: No. 97-03307
Parties: Claud N. CHAPPELL and Affordable Air Systems, Inc., n/k/a Absolutely Cool, Inc., Appellants, v. AFFORDABLE AIR, INC. Appellee.
Judges: ALTENBERND, A.C.J., and QUINCE, J., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 705
Pages: 1029–1029

Head Matter:
Claud N. CHAPPELL and Affordable Air Systems, Inc., n/k/a Absolutely Cool, Inc., Appellants, v. AFFORDABLE AIR, INC. Appellee.
No. 97-03307.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District.
Feb. 6, 1998.
James V. Lobozzo, Jr., Sebring, for Appellants.
Melinda Delpech of Law Offices of Robert Watrous, Chartered, Sarasota, for Appellee.

Opinion:
WHATLEY, Judge.
Claud N. Chappell and Affordable Air Systems, Inc., appeal a default judgment on liability entered against them and in favor of Affordable Air, Inc. The default judgment was entered against the appellants for their failure to comply with discovery rules and court orders. We reverse.
In Commonwealth Federal Savings and Loan Ass'n v. Tubero, 569 So.2d 1271 (Fla.1990), the Florida Supreme Court held that an order of dismissal or default for failure to comply with a discovery requirement must contain an explicit finding of willful noneom-pliance. See also Drakeford v. Barnett Bank of Tampa, 694 So.2d 822 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997); Smith v. Spitale, 675 So.2d 207 (Fla. 2d DCA 1996); Global Recreation, Ltd. v. Arco Shows, Inc., 585 So.2d 455 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991). Here, the default judgment contains no explicit finding of willful noncompliance. As in Tubero, the facts in this case might support a finding of willful noncompliance; however, absent a specific finding of such, reversal is required.
We vacate the final judgment and remand the case for the entry of an amended order containing the findings required by Tubero, if the record supports such a finding. Otherwise, the trial court should reinstate the pleadings.
Judgment vacated and cause remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
ALTENBERND, A.C.J., and QUINCE, J., concur.