Preston, Inc. v. Eugene
Preston, Inc. v. Eugene
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal of the final judgment obtained by appellees.
We reverse on the authority of Akins v. Hudson Pulp & Paper Co., 330 So.2d 757 (Fla. 1st DCA 1976), cert. denied, 344 So.2d 323 (Fla. 1977), and remand with instructions to enter final summary judgment for appellant.
Appellees Wilfranc and Marie Eugene initially filed a circuit court complaint which alleged that appellant’s negligence caused Mr. Eugene to be injured on the job. Without prejudice, the trial court granted appellant’s motion to dismiss. Appellees did not amend the complaint or appeal the order of dismissal, but instead Mr. Eugene chose to file a claim for worker’s compensation benefits. After final hearing, the deputy commissioner entered an order that appellee Mr. Eugene was not entitled to any benefits. He did not appeal the commissioner’s order. Appellees then filed a
Where a worker’s compensation matter is litigated before a deputy commissioner and adjudicated against a party’s contention, and that party does not seek review of the deputy commissioner’s order, the order becomes final and section 440.11, Florida Statutes and estoppel by judgment apply to bar suit in circuit court. Id. at 759.
REVERSED AND REMANDED WITH DIRECTIONS.
. Eugene v. Prestcon, Inc., 528 So.2d 1218 (Fla. 4th DCA 1988).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.