Opinion ID: 1822772
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Distinguishing Gracey

Text: Finally, this case is clearly distinguishable from Gracey, 837 So.2d 348. In Gracey, this Court made an exception to the impact rule for a complaint alleging negligent infliction of emotional injuries resulting from a psychotherapist's breach of his statutorily created duty of confidentiality. Id. at 351. To reach its ultimate holding, the Court had to infer a private cause of action for the breach of the duty of confidentiality created by section 491.0147, Florida Statutes (1997). Id. Unfortunately, the Gracey decision did not apply the analysis I discuss above. However, if the Court had applied this analysis, inferring a private cause of action using a recognized tort would have been justifiable. More particularly, Gracey is distinguishable from Abril for four reasons. First, in Gracey, the Court provided a private cause of action for the breach of a statutory duty using a preexisting tort rather than creating an entirely new cause of action. Second, unlike the statute in Gracey, section 381.004 was enacted as a comprehensive effort to address a critical public health crisis. Third, unlike section 381.004, the statute in Gracey provided no remedy or sanction for a breach of the duty of confidentiality it imposed. Indeed, the Gracey opinion emphasized this fact. In light of the complete failure of that statute to provide a remedy for the duty created, it was appropriate for this Court to thoughtfully consider whether to infer that the Legislature would intend a private cause of action. See generally Restatement (Second) of Torts § 874A (1979). [15] Fourth, Gracey is distinguishable because the common law tort that arose from the breach of the duty of confidentiality under chapter 491 was a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty. 837 So.2d at 357. This difference in the nature of the duty owed is significant, especially as it relates to the certified question about the impact rule. [16] The Abrils have not claimed the existence of a fiduciary duty. It is one thing to permit damages for emotional disturbances caused by a psychotherapist's breach of a very special psychotherapist-patient confidential relationship. Gracey, 837 So.2d at 352. It is quite another to permit the same type of relief for the breach of a nonfiduciary, ordinary duty of care.