Opinion ID: 1695513
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: circuit and district court proceedings

Text: In December 1990, B.J.M., an adjudicated dependent and delinquent minor, by and through Legal Services of Greater Miami, filed a mandamus action against the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) seeking to compel HRS to place B.J.M. in a specific rehabilitative program. Subsequently, B.J.M. amended his complaint to include a tort action for general damages based on negligence. B.J.M. claimed general damages for the effect that the agency's neglect had on his quality of life. The tort count alleged that HRS had negligently breached a duty to B.J.M. in the following ways: not following recommended psychiatric placement reports; failing to provide proper counseling; failing to provide vocational training or educational services comparable to those provided in nonresidential settings; failing to generally meet B.J.M.'s placement, emotional, and developmental needs; and by the inappropriate labeling of B.J.M. HRS answered with a general denial and asserted various affirmative defenses. Subsequently, HRS moved for summary judgment on all claims, asserting sovereign immunity, collateral estoppel, lack of subject matter jurisdiction, and Legal Services' lack of standing. The trial court entered summary judgment for HRS without specifying the grounds. On appeal, the Third District held: (1) B.J.M. was not entitled to a writ of mandamus compelling HRS to place him in a more appropriate placement; (2) sovereign immunity barred a negligence action against HRS for improper placement; (3) HRS's negligent failure to provide necessary services was not protected by sovereign immunity; (4) collateral estoppel did not bar B.J.M.'s action for damages; and (5) section 39.455, Florida Statutes (1991), which provides immunity for HRS's failure to comply with a performance agreement, did not bar B.J.M.'s negligence action. The court also certified to this Court the issue of whether HRS may be sued in tort for general damages for failing to provide a minor with services.