Topic: 4th DCA

Dismissal for Fraud on the Court Not Available to Resolve Jury Questions – Herman v. Silver

In this medical malpractice case, a husband sued after his wife died allegedly from kidney failure after the defendant doctor performed surgery. At the trial, the husband testified about various issues, including his wife’s active lifestyle before the surgery, and date of the onset of kidney problems. After the trial, the husband quarrelled with his… Read more

Defaulted Party Still Entitled to Hearing on Attorneys’ Fees – ZHOU v. CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.

Caterpillar filed a complaint for damages and replevin against three defendants. After service on the defendants, they failed to answer, and Caterpillar secured a clerk’s default against them all. Two of the defendants attempted to set aside the default and Caterpillar filed its motion for final judgment based upon the clerk’s default. The summary judgment… Read more

Rescission of Settlement Agreement for Discovery Misconduct – Garvin v. Tidwell

In this case, the plaintiff was injured when she fell off of a horse, named “Buster,” who had behaved obstreperously while plaintiff tried to ride him.  Defendant claimed that Buster never exhibited any dangerous behavior.  The case settled.  After the settlement, plaintiff’s counsel received an unmarked advertisement quoting the defendant as saying that she decided… Read more

In camera review required for discovery records protected by constitutional right of privacy – James v. Veneziano

In this car accident case, the plaintiff sought defendant’s medical records for the past 10 years based on the belief that the defendant’s medical problems caused the car accident.  The trial court ordered the defendant to produce the records.  The Defendant objected to producing the records on the basis that he had a right of… Read more