Indian River Hospital District v. Santiago
Indian River Hospital District v. Santiago
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
This is an appeal from an order which denied a hospital’s motion for attorney’s fees. I would remand for the taking of further testimony, out of an abundance of concern for justice — not only to the claimed insolvent or poverty-stricken individual but also to the hospital.
At post-oral argument conference another panelist raised a point that, unfortunately, no one discussed at oral argument; namely, who has the burden of proof under section 768.56, Florida Statutes (1983), which provides:
768.56 Attorney’s fees in medical malpractice actions.—
(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, the court shall award a reasonable attorney’s fee to the prevailing party in any civil action which involves a claim for damages by reason of injury, death, or monetary loss on account of alleged malpractice by any medical or osteopathic physician, podiatrist, hospital, or health maintenance organization; however, attorney’s fees shall not be awarded against a .party who is insolvent or poverty-stricken.
During the oral argument, I expressed my concern to the parties that the individual never told the fact finder — through her deposition or otherwise — the value of the unencumbered home she had acquired after
Opinion of the Court
AFFIRMED.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.