Opinion ID: 2485217
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Sosa Had Legal Standing to Serve as Class Representative

Text: A threshold inquiry in a motion for class certification is whether the class representative has standing to represent the putative class members. See Stone v. CompuServe Interactive Servs., 804 So.2d 383, 388 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001) (citing W.S. Badcock Corp. v. Webb, 699 So.2d 859, 860-61 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997), and Taran v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Fla., Inc., 685 So.2d 1004, 1006 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997)). A trial court's decision as to whether a party has satisfied the standing requirement is reviewed de novo. See Found. for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc. v. Step by Step Early Childhood Educ. & Therapy Ctr., Inc., 29 So.3d 1221, 1223 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010) (We note that a trial court's decision regarding a party's standing to file suit is reviewed using the de novo standard of review. (citing Fox v. Prof'l Wrecker Operators of Fla., Inc., 801 So.2d 175, 178 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001))). To satisfy the standing requirement for a class action claim, the class representative must illustrate that a case or controversy exists between him or her and the defendant, and that this case or controversy will continue throughout the existence of the litigation. See Olen Props., 981 So.2d at 517 (citing Ferreiro v. Phila. Indem. Ins. Co., 928 So.2d 374, 377 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006)). In deciding if a party has alleged a justiciable case or controversy, the trial court is not required to determine the merits of the case. Id. at 518; see also Peace River/Manasota Reg'l Water Supply Auth. v. IMC Phosphates Co., 18 So.3d 1079, 1084 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009) ([T]he proof required is proof of the elements of standing, not proof directed to the elements of the case or to the ultimate merits of the case.). Rather, the trial court must determine if the class representative has alleged sufficient facts to establish a legal issue for the court's resolution. See Olen Props., 981 So.2d at 517. A case or controversy exists if a party alleges an actual or legal injury. See id. (citing Linda R.S. v. Richard D., 410 U.S. 614, 617, 93 S.Ct. 1146, 35 L.Ed.2d 536 (1973)). An actual injury includes an economic injury for which the relief sought will grant redress. See Peregood v. Cosmides, 663 So.2d 665, 668 (Fla. 5th DCA 1995) (stating that an actual injury may be economic in nature). That injury must be distinct and palpable, not abstract or hypothetical. See id. (citing Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 501, 95 S.Ct. 2197, 45 L.Ed.2d 343 (1975), and Allen v. Wright, 468 U.S. 737, 741, 104 S.Ct. 3315, 82 L.Ed.2d 556 (1984)). In this case, Sosa has suffered an economic injury, fulfilling the actual injury requirement of standing. This is despite Safeway having credited Sosa $20 on his third premium finance agreement, which equaled the amount Safeway overcharged Sosa on his second premium finance agreement. Rather, Sosa's economic injury for which he may pursue redress is in the form of a damage recovery of the entire premium finance charge plus twice the amount of the premium finance charge assessed by Safewaywhich is the damage award provided under section 627.835. More specifically, section 627.840 permits a premium finance company to charge an individual a maximum additional service charge of $20 in a twelve month period. Section 627.835 provides that any person who unlawfully charges a premium finance charge owes the person to whom they assessed the overcharge the entire premium finance charged plus twice the entire amount of the premium charge so paid. In a twelve month period, Safeway charged Sosa an additional service charge of $20 twice, i.e., it assessed the $20 additional service charge to Sosa in each of his first two premium finance agreements whose individual duration was for six months. It is alleged that by doing so, Safeway violated section 627.840. If Sosa successfully proves this violation at trial, Safeway will owe Sosa and the members of the class the damage award allocated under section 627.835. This is an economic injury for which Sosa and other class members may seek redress.