UPDATED THROUGH March 30, 2017

Proposal for Settlement – Time for Rejection.  Conflict Certified:  Does the filing of a motion to enlarge the time to accept a proposal for settlement toll the 30-day period provided for in Rule 1.442(f)(1) for accepting a proposal?  Koppel v. Ochoa, No. SC16-1474 (review granted Nov. 9, 2016).  DCA decision:  197 So. 3d 77 (Fla. 2d DCA May 20, 2016).  Status:  briefing; no oral argument.

Medical Malpractice – Presuit Requirements.  [1] Is a trial court’s determination that a plaintiffs’ corroborating presuit expert does not meet the statutory requirements reviewed for an abuse of discretion or under a de novo standard of review?  [2]  In analyzing purported presuit discovery violations, is an appellate court required to consider either the prejudice to the defendants or the factors set forth in Kozel v. Ostendorf, 629 So. 2d 817, 818 (Fla. 1993)?  Morris v. Muniz, No. SC16-931 (review granted Jan. 19, 2017).  DCA decision:  189 So. 3d 348 (Fla. 1st DCA Apr. 27, 2016).  Status:  briefing; no oral argument.

Equitable Subrogation – Subsequent Tortfeasor. Certified Question:  Is a party that has had judgment entered against it entitled to seek equitable subrogation from a subsequent tortfeasor when the judgment has not been fully satisfied?  Holmes Regional Med. Ctr., Inc. v. Allstate Ins. Co., No. SC15-1555 (review granted June 10, 2016).  DCA decision:  171 So. 3d 163 (Fla. 5th DCA July 24, 2015).  Status:  decision pending; briefing complete (Nov. 7, 2016); no oral argument.

Litigation Privilege – Malicious Prosecution.  Conflict Certified:  The Court held that the litigation privilege does not bar the filing of a claim for malicious prosecution based upon the act of adding a party defendant to a civil suit.  Debrincat v. Fischer, No. SC15-1477 (review granted Oct. 5, 2015).  DCA decision:  169 So. 3d 1204 (Fla. 4th DCA July 15, 2015).  Status:  motion for rehearing pending (Mar. 16, 2017); decided (Feb. 9, 2017); Slip Opinion; Oral Argument Video (Aug. 31, 2016); briefing complete (Mar. 24, 2016).

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Discovery – Law Firm/Physician Referral Information. Conflict Certified:  Is the disclosure of an attorney’s referral of a client to a healthcare provider protected by the attorney-client privilege and therefore not discoverable from the attorney even when the information is unsuccessfully sought from the party, the treating doctor and other witnesses?  Worley v. Central Fla. Young Men’s Christian Ass’n, No. SC15-1086 (review granted Sept. 1, 2015).  DCA decision: 163 So. 3d 1240 (Fla. 5th DCA May 15, 2015).  Status:  decision pending; Oral Argument Video (Nov. 3, 2016); briefing complete (Feb. 10, 2016).

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