ITEM 1.02 | FLORIDA RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 1.380
Upon proper showing, the full spectrum of sanctions may be imposed for failure to comply with the order.5 The rule sets out possible alternative sanctions: adopting as established facts the matters which the recalcitrant party refused to address or produce; prohibiting the disobedient party from supporting or opposing designated claims or defenses;6 prohibiting the introduction of certain evidence;7 striking pleadings, which could result in a dismissal of the action; the entry of a default judgment, including an order for liquidated damages;8 contempt of court; and the assessment of reasonable expenses or attorney’s fees.9 The courts have crafted a few additional possibilities: fines;10 granting a new trial;11 and, in the case of lost or destroyed evidence, creation of an evidentiary inference12 or a rebuttable presumption.13 The court may rely on its inherent authority to impose drastic sanctions when a discovery-related fraud has been perpetrated on the court.14
Footnotes
5 Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.380(b).
6 Steele v. Chapnick, 552 So. 2d 209 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989) (reversing dismissal because plaintiff substantially complied with defendant’s discovery request, but authorizing alternative sanctions of precluding evidence on issues when plaintiff failed to reply to discovery demands, entering findings of fact adverse to plaintiff on those same issues, or imposing fines and fees).
7 Binger v. King Pest Control, 401 So. 2d 1310 (Fla. 1981) (trial court may exclude testimony of witness whose name had not been disclosed in accordance with pretrial order).
8 DYC Fishing, Ltd. v. Martinez, 994 So. 2d 461, 462 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008) (reversing trial court’s entry of default final judgment awarding unliquidated damages to the plaintiff and stating that in Florida, default judgments only entitle the plaintiff to liquidated damages). Bertrand v. Belhomme, 892 So. 2d 1150 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005)
9 Rule 1.380(b)(2)(A)-(E) and (d). See Blackford v. Florida Power & Light Co., 681 So. 2d 795 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996) (reversing summary judgment as sanction for failure to answer interrogatories, but authorizing attorneys’ fees and costs); United Services Automobile Association v. Strasser, 492 So. 2d 399 (Fla. 4th DCA 1986) (affirming attorneys’ fees and costs as sanctions for consistently tardy discovery responses, but reversing default).
10 Evangelos v. Dachiel 553 So. 2d 245 (Fla. 3d DCA 1989) ($500 sanction for failure to comply with discovery order, but default reversed); Steele, 552 So. 2d 209 (imposition of fine and/or attorneys’ fees for failure to produce is possible sanction). The imposition of a fine for discovery violations requires a finding of contempt. Hoffman v. Hoffman, 718 So. 2d 371 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). Channel Components, Inc. v. America II Electronics, Inc., 915 So. 2d 1278 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2005) (ordering over $79,000 as a sanction for violation of certain discovery orders does not constitute abuse of discretion).
11 Binger, 401 So. 2d 1310 (intentional nondisclosure of witness, combined with surprise, disruption, and prejudice, warranted new trial); Nordyne, Inc. v. Florida Mobile Home Supply, Inc., 625 So. 2d 1283 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993) (new trial on punitive damages and attorneys’ fees as sanctions for withholding documents that were harmful to manufacturer’s case but were within scope of discovery request); Smith v. University Medical Center, Inc., 559 So. 2d 393 (Fla. 1st DCA 1990) (plaintiff entitled to new trial because defendant failed to produce map that was requested repeatedly).
12 Federal Insurance Co. v. Allister Manufacturing Co., 622 So. 2d 1348 (Fla. 4th DCA 1993) (manufacturer entitled to inference that evidence, inadvertently lost by plaintiff’s expert, was not defective).
13 Public Health Trust of Dade County v. Valcin, 507 So. 2d 596 (Fla. 1987) (rebuttable presumption of negligence exists if patient demonstrates that absence of hospital records hinders patient’s ability to establish prima facie case); Amlan, Inc. v. Detroit Diesel Corp., 651 So. 2d 701 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995) (destruction or unexplained absence of evidence may result in permissible shifting of burden of proof).
14 Tramel v. Bass, 672 So. 2d 78 (Fla. 1st DCA 1996) (affirming default against sheriff for intentionally omitting portion of videotape of automobile pursuit).
You might need to reference it during your pursuit of justice.
For instance, you might need to examine this item in order to protect yourself from organizations/judges/lawyers who break the law (see this example of a Florida judge who outright committed perjury).
Nevertheless – and as always – please get the justice you deserve.
Sincerely,
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