Orange County Sanctioned for Frivolous Appeal

In a scathing opinion issued on December 12, 2014, the Fifth District Court of Appeal took Orange County and its attorney to task for its appeal of an order awarding attorneys fees in connection with the County’s violation of public records laws.  Orange County, Florida v. Hewlings, Case No. 5D13-3775 (5th DCA December 12, 2014).

As recited in the opinion, the case involved a records request in connection with the investigation of the appellee’s dog by the county’s animal services division.  Appellee repeatedly requested copies of all the county’s records with respect to the investigation, and offered to pay the costs of copies.  The requests were ignored for so long that the appellee filed a petition for writ of mandamus, which was granted,  however the appellee’s request for attorneys’ fees was denied. Appellee appealed the trial court’s denial of her request for attorneys’ fees.  The Fifth DCA reversed–determining that the county’s delay in furnishing records “was tantamount to a refusing to comply”–and remanded for further consideration by the trial court to determine whether the county had “unreasonably delayed” complying with the records request.

On remand the trial court found that the county had, indeed, unreasonably delayed compliance.  The county appealed the order on remand, but did not challenge the trial court’s finding of unreasonable delay.  Rather, the county re-raised the very same issues decided in the first appeal–arguing that the delay in compliance was not a refusal to comply.

In its opinion the Fifth DCA stated, “It is as if counsel for Appellant, who was the same counsel in Hewlings I, slept through the entire prior appellate proceeding and then failed to read either the opinion or order.” The county’s attempt to re-argue the same question of law previously decided by the Court (the “law of the case”) was not well taken.  “Appellant’s suggestion that it may incrementally dole out its arguments pertaining to the meaning of a single statute in separate appeals borders on ludicrous.”

Holding that the case was a “textbook example of why the legislature authorized an award of fees against obstinate public entities,”  the court ultimately sanctioned the County for what it deemed a “frivolous and abusive appeal,” and granted the appellee her appellate attorneys’ fees.

SCOTUS Denies BP’s Appeal of Gulf Spill Settlement

On December 8, 2014, the Supreme Court denied a petition for writ certiorari filed by BP Exploration & Production. Through its petition, BP sought to set aside a settlement agreement it reached with parties to a class action lawsuit over the devastation caused by the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. The primary basis cited by BP in the petition was that the certified class included numerous members who had not suffered any injury. At issue was the fact that claimants seeking to recover monies from the settlement were not being required to demonstrate by evidence that their claims arose from the oil spill. Opponents to the petition argued that BP was ‘switching sides’ have advocated in favor of the district court’s adopting settlement agreement.

The denial of the petition means that BP is bound by the terms of the settlement agreement, and that claimants will receive compensation regardless of whether they actually suffered economic damages as a result of the spill.

Interesting Glimpse Into Florida’s 5th DCA

This article was recently published by the Daytona Beach News-Journal. It’s always fascinating to get an insider’s behind-the-scenes view of the courthouse.

Failure to Preserve Error Costs Plaintiff a New Trial

Preservation of error is an issue that is discussed so frequently by appellate lawyers that it tends to be met with eye rolls by other lawyers. However, we keep talking about preservation of error because it is one of few things that can kill an appeal before it ever gets addressed on the merits. For this reason, appellate lawyers can add value to a trial team by ensuring that errors made at trial are properly preserved for appeal–freeing up trial laywers to focus on evidence, testimony and other substantive matters.

A recent case out of the Fifth District Court of Appeal underscores, yet again, the importance of proper preservation of error. Hang Thu Hguyen d/b/a Millenia Day Spa v. Wigley, No. 5D13-1925, 2014 WL 2968860 (Fla. 5th DCA July 3, 2014). Plaintiff Wigley filed a lawsuit against Millenia seeking damages for injuries sustained during a paraffin wax manicure. During closing argument, Millenia’s counsel made certain statements that Plaintiff’s counsel deemed improper. Plaintiff’s counsel objected that the statements were improper, and those objections were sustained by the trial court. Plaintiff asked for a curative instruction with respect to one of the objectionable statements, and the trial court granted the request.

After the jury returned a Plaintiff’s verdict ascribing 80% of fault to the Plaitniff, Plaintiff filed a motion for new trial based on the improper remarks made by Millenia’s counsel during closing. The trial court granted the motion for new trial, but the Fifth DCA reversed. Why? Because, in objecting to Millenia’s statements, Plaintiff’s counsel never asked for a mistrial.

“When a party objects to instances of attorney misconduct during tial, and the objection is sustained, the party must also timely move for a mistrial in order to preserve the issue for a trial court’s review of a motion for a new trial.” Companioni v. City of Tampa, 51 So. 3d 452 (Fla. 2010).

Because the Fifth DCA found no fundamental error in the defendant’s closing arguments, there was no support in the record for a new trial, and the trial court order granting a new trial was reversed.

Even the most seasoned trial lawyers, in the heat of battle, can and do get hung up on these technicalities in the law. In high stakes litigation especially, best practices would dictate that at least one lawyer be assigned to focus on preservation of error issues during the trial.

Late-Filed Civil Appeals a Nonstarter

What should a civil litigant do when he or she is made aware of the entry of a final judgment after the expiration of the appeal period?  The First District Court of Appeal reminds us in an opinion issued in Sharpe v. Stanley, Case No. 1D14-1190, 39 Fla. L. Weekly D928a (Fla. 1st DCA May 1, 2014) that the appellate court has no authority to grant relief from an untimely-filed appeal in a civil proceeding.  That does not mean, however, that all appellate avenues are foreclosed.  As the court reminds us, relief “may be sought in the trial court by motion under Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.540(b) to set aside the order where no notice of its entry was given to the parties, coupled with a requst that a new order be entered so that the right of appeal is preserved.” 

Addressing Preservation of Error

One of the more difficult topics to broach with a litigant who is consulting regarding an appeal is the issue of “preservation of error.”  At its core, the appellate process is concerned, not with who was right and who was wrong, but whether the trial court made mistakes.  However, that is not all that is required.  An error that is not brought to the trial court’s attention before the end of the trial, when the trial court had an opportunity to correct this mistake, is not an error the appellate court can or will review.  This technicality is something that frustrates a lot of litigants.  Frequently heard from the litigant:  “But if the trial court made a mistake, why didn’t my trial lawyer object?”  There are a lot of reasons why a trial lawyer may fail to object to (or preserve) an error.  Sometimes, it is inexperience.  Sometimes, there is a tactical reason for not raising the objection.  More frequently, however, it is that, in the heat of trial, a larger issue has the trial lawyer’s attention, and they simply are not focused on what may be an escoteric legal principle or a minor procedural issue.  It’s understandable that, especially in a difficult case, the trial lawyer is focused on winning the trial, and not thinking ahead toward the myriad of possible avenues he or she way wish to explore on appeal.  For that reason, appellate lawyers (this author included) often recommend that trial lawyers bring an experienced appellate practitioner onto the trial team early in the proceedings.  An appellate counsel at trial table can be an invaluable resourse when an appeal of the trial (by either party) is all but certain.  Of course, this recommendation can be met with eyerolls from trial lawyers who recognize that engaging appellate counsel is another expense they have to explain to a cost-sensitive client.  In hindsight, however, even the most cost-senstive clients would have gladly paid the appellate lawyer’s appearance fee at trial if it would have increased their chances of getting a reversal or a new trial before a new jury. 

Florida Supreme Court Closes Loophole in Condominium Act

This week, the Florida Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of North Carillon, LLC vs. CRC 603, LLC, et al.  (Case No. SC12-75).  The case involved interpretation a provision of the Florida’s Condominium Act (Chapter 718, Florida Statutes).    The specific provision at issue, section 718.202, Florida Statutes (2006), establishes two types of escrow deposits, and imposes escrow requirements upon the developer.  The ultimate question for the court was whether developers are permitted to maintain the two different types of escrow deposits in a single escrow account.

The court’s interpretation of this seemingly innocuous statutory provision promised significant legal and business ramifications—so much so that it elicited an amicus curiae appearance by the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar.  The reason:  if a developer fails to comply with the statutory escrow requirements set forth in section 718.202, a buyer can unilaterally void the contract and receive a refund of all monies paid, plus interest.  Moreover, the developer can be held liable for criminal penalties for willfully failing to comply with the escrow requirements.

The Third District Court of Appeal had previously found in favor of the condominium buyers, holding that a retroactive 2010 amendment to section 718.202, which purported to authorize a single account for both categories of escrow deposits, was invalid because it substantive changed the 2006 version of the statute, and thus, unconstitutionally impaired vested contractual rights.  CRC 603, LLC v. North Carillon, LLC, 77 So. 3d 655 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011).  The Florida Supreme Court disagreed with the Third District’s invalidation of the 2010 amendment because, in its view, the law had not substantively changed.

Accepting that the 2006 version of section 718.202 at issue below was susceptible to multiple constructions, the court first resorted to statutory history for guidance.  Finding none, the court applied the statutory rule of “lenity,” established in section 775.021, Florida Statutes, which provides that statutes defining criminal offenses and susceptible to differing constructions should be construed most favorably to the accused.  Because section 718.202 provides that a developer’s willful failure to comply with the escrow requirements is “a felony of the third degree,” the rule of lenity was applied, and the statutory construction was resolved in favor of the developer.  The court rejected the argument that lenity only applies in criminal cases, and effectively ratified the 2010 amendment to section 718.202, allowing escrow deposits required under section 712.202(1) and (2), Florida Statutes, to be maintained in a single escrow account.  This ruling successfully and definitively closes a loophole in the Condominium Act that allowed buyers to bail out of a condominium purchase and receive a return of all escrow monies solely on a discrete technicality.

What Does an Appellate Lawyer Do?

Most people understand the primary function of an appellate attorney:  to research and write appellate briefs and present oral arguments to the appellate panel.  However, many people, including lawyers, are not aware of the many other ways an appellate attorney can “add value” to a litigation team.  An appellate attorney can be an invaluable trial team member from the outset of a case.  An experienced appellate practitioner often has significant litigation experience at the trial level, and is well equipped to assist in sophisticated legal analysis, strategy, and issue identification.  Appellate attorneys are also proficient writers and can assist in drafting bench briefs for the trial court.  

Because trials can be hectic and unpredictible, trial lawyers are primarily focused on presenting their case themes for the judge or jury.  In a complex trial, it is advisable to have an dedicated appellate practitioner on the trial team observing the proceedings objectively, and ensuring that all potential points of error have been properly preserved in the event an appeal is taken.  Additionally, having an appellate attorney involved from the commencement of the trial can signficantly reduce the costs of preparing an appeal. 

If you need assistance in any of the following areas, please contact jennifer.dixon@lowndes-law.com or (407) 843-4600:

• Commercial litigation appeals
• Family law appeals
• Eminent domain/condemnation appeals
• Administrative appeals
• Original proceedings
• Amicus briefs
• Trial support
• Appellate mediation

 

Delayed Discovery Doctrine Held Not to Apply to Negligence Actions Involving Child Sexual Abuse

In an opinion filed on September 4, 2013, the Third District Court of Appeal held that the delayed discovery doctrine does not apply to extend the statute of limitations in a negligence action arising out of allegations of child sexual abuse.  The delayed discovery doctrine generally provides that a cause of action does not accrue until the plaintiff either knows or reasonably should know of the tortious act giving rise to the cause of action.  The date a cause of action accrues is important because it is from the date of accrual that the statute of limitations is calculated.

The delayed discovery doctrine was first applied in a childhood sexual abuse case by the Florida Supreme Court in Hearndon v. Graham, 767 So. 2d 1179 (Fla. 2000), which held that the delayed discovery doctrine applied to the accrual of an intentional tort action brought by a sexual abuse victim against the perpetrator.  The victim had alleged traumatic amnesia made her unable to recall the events for more than a decade.  In Hearndon, the Florida Supreme Court acknowledged that, in 1992, the Florida legislature had effectively adopted the delayed discovery doctrine with respect to intentional tort actions concerning child sexual abuse.  However, the Heardon case pre-dated the enactment of that legislation.  In adopting the delayed discovery doctrine in that case, the court effectively found a way to apply the new legislation to the older case.

Fast forward 13 years to the case of Cisko v. Diocese of Steubenville, Case No. 09-35639, 38 Fla. L. Weekly D1902a (September 4, 2013), in which Appellants/Plaintiffs had sued the Diocese for negligence relating to physical and sexual abuse alleged to have been suffered between 1966 and 1967 at the hands of two priest under the Diocese’s supervision.  The Plaintiffs claimed traumatic amnesia had rendered them unable to recall the events of abuse until May 2005.  The Diocese prevailed at summary judgment based upon the expiration of the four-year statute of limitations on negligence actions.  Citing Hearndon v. Graham, Appellants contended that the delayed discovery doctrine deferred the accrual of the cause of action.  The Third District found, however, that the Hearndon holding is limited, not only to cases of traumatic amnesia, but to intentional tort causes of action.

While the Third District’s holding is consistent with the current § 95.11(7), Florida Statutes, which extends the statute of limitations for intentional tort cases based on abuse, and cases which have refused to expand the statute’s application to negligence cases, it does raise an interesting policy consideration.  If the State of Florida is committed to redressing child sexual abuse regardless of when it may be discovered, should it matter whether the defendant is the perpetrator or someone who enabled the perpetrator, or what the specific cause of action against the defendant may be?

NJ Appeals Court Says Non-Driving Texters Can Be Liable for Accidents

In a brow-raising opinon issued by the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division this week, the court determined that a non-driving sender of text messages can potentially be liable for damages if an accident is caused by a distracted text recipient.  See Kubert v. Best, No. A-1128-12T4, (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div., August 27, 2013).  In the case, the plaintiffs were injured when a texting teen crossed the median and collided with the plaintiffs’ motorcycle.  The trial court dismissed a claim against the person with whom the teen was texting, a 17 year-old “remote texter,” reasoning that that the remote sender did not have legal duty to avoid sending a text message to a person who is driving.  The appellate court disagreed with the trial court and concluded, under a common law negligence theory, that “a person sending text messages has a duty not to text someone who is driving if the texter knows, or has special reason to know, the recipient will view the text while driving.”  

The appeals court acknowledged that “one should not be held liable for sending a wireless transmission simply because some recipient might use his cell phone unlawfully and become distracted while driving. Whether by text, email, Twitter, or other means, the mere sending of a wireless transmission that unidentified drivers may receive and view is not enough to impose liability.”  Further, the court said, “We also conclude that liability is not established by showing only that the sender directed the message to a specific identified recipient, even if the sender knew the recipient was then driving.”  Rather, the court said, “Additional proofs are necessary to establish the sender’s liability, namely, that the sender also knew or had special reason to know that the driver would read the message while driving and would thus be distracted from attending to the road and the operation of the vehicle.” 

Interestingly, New Jersey’s texting ban makes it unlawful to read or send a text message while driving, so in order to impose liability, the sender would have to know or have reason to know that the recipient is not only driving, but that the driver will break the law and read the message while driving and become distracted.  To that end, the court acknowledged, “The sender should be able to assume that the recipient will read a text message only when it is safe and legal to do so, that is, when not operating a vehicle. However, if the sender knows that the recipient is both driving and will read the text immediately, then the sender has taken a foreseeable risk in sending a text at that time.”

The result reached in this case illustrates the difficulty in applying its holding.  Despite finding that a remote texter may potentially be liable, the court found that, in this case, the plaintiffs did not present sufficient evidence of the remote texter’s knowledge.  Because the remote sender had only sent one text while the recipeint was driving, and the contents of the messages were not entered into evidence, there was no proof that the sender knew her message was distracting the recipient from driving. 

In practice, this holding is certain to present interesting proof challenges for plaintiffs in the state with respect to whether someone “has special reason to know” that a driver will be prone to distraction.  The ultimate takeaway from this case is that, if you are texting a person in New Jersey that you know or learn is driving, and that person immediately responds, stop the communication immediately.  Good practice regardless of potential liability.

The full text of the opinion can be found here.