David M. Baricko v. Barnett Transportation, Inc. and York Risk etc.
David M. Baricko v. Barnett Transportation, Inc. and York Risk etc.
Opinion of the Court
AFFIRMED.
Concurring Opinion
concurring.
Amongst the six issues raised by the Claimant in this workers’ compensation appeal is a claim that the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) erred in applying the Daubert
.
This court specifically held in Giaimo v. Florida Autosport, Inc., 154 So.3d 385, 388 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014), that the Daubert test now applies in workers’ compensation proceedings. See also Booker v. Sumter Cty. Sheriff's Office, 166 So.3d 189 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015). Although not explicated in the opinion, this holding was grounded on the settled principle that “the Florida Evi-. dence Code applies in workers’ compensation proceedings,” United States Sugar Corp. v. G.J. Henson, 823 So.2d 104, 107 (Fla. 2002), and the fact that the Daubert test is now specifically codified in the Florida Evidence Code. See ch. 2013-107, § 1, Laws of Fla. (amending § 90.702, Fla. Stat,); § 90.101, Fla. Stat. (“This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Florida Evidence Code.’ ”), The JCC was bound by Giaimo — -and the plain language of section 90.702 — and therefore did not err in applying the Daubert test.
Additionally, although the Florida Supreme Court has the authority to adopt procedural rules for judicial proceedings under article V, section 2(a) of the Florida Constitution,
Finally, this claim was recently considered — and rejected as meritless — by our sister court in Crane Co. v. DeLisle, 206 So.3d 94 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016):
[The plaintiff] also argues that this court lacks the authority to apply Daubert, as incorporated through section 90.702, Florida Statutes ... because it is a legislative change to the evidence code that has not yet been approved by the Florida Supreme Court. However, statutes are presumed to be constitutional and are to be given effect until declared otherwise. Further, we, and other Florida appellate courts, have applied the statute to the admission of testimony. We therefore find that this argument lacks merit.
Id. at 100 n.7 (citations omitted).
For these reasons (and because the other five issues raised by the Claimant lack merit and do not warrant a written opinion), I concur in the disposition of this appeal by a “PCA.”
. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993),
. This provision states in relevant part: “The supreme court shall adopt rules for the practice and procedure in all courts .... ” (emphasis added).
. See, e.g., In re Amendments to Fla. Evidence Code, 782 So.2d 339, 341-42 (Fla. 2000) (recognizing that the Florida Evidence Code contains both substantive law and procedural requirements and adopting all of the amendments to the Code enacted by the Legislature from 1996 to 1999 "to the extent they are procedural,” except for the 1998 amendment to the former testimony hearsay exception in section 90,803(22), Florida Statutes).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.