THE HERTZ CORPORATION, APPELLANT,
v.
FRANK A. STUART, M.D., INDIVIDUALLY, FRANK A. STUART, M.D., P.A., UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYDS, RUTH JOHNSON MCCUTCHEON AND LOUIS N. MCCUTCHEON, HER HUSBAND, APPELLEES
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Hertz Corporation appealed the dismissal of its subrogation action against Dr. Frank Stuart, alleging that Stuart's medical malpractice aggravated injuries Hertz had already compensated to the original accident victim. The court reversed, holding that an initial tortfeasor may pursue a separate subrogation action against a subsequent tortfeasor who negligently aggravates the victim's injuries.
The court held that Hertz stated a valid cause of action in subrogation, as an initial tortfeasor may pursue equitable apportionment of liability through a separate lawsuit against a subsequent tortfeasor who negligently aggravates the victim's injuries. Declaratory relief regarding satisfaction and subrogation was also proper under the special facts of this complex litigation.
[1] An initial tortfeasor may bring a separate lawsuit for subrogation against a successor tortfeasor who negligently aggravates the victim's original injuries.
[2] A tortfeasor who satisfies a judgment for damages, including those caused or aggravated by a subsequent tortfeasor, may have a subrogation claim against the subsequent to…
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“DOES THE DECISION IN STUART V. HERTZ [the prior Supreme Court opinion] BAR A SEPARATE LAWSUIT BY THE INITIAL TORTFEASOR AGAINST A SUCCESSOR TORTFEASOR WHO AGGRAVATES THE ORIGINAL INJURIES?”
The certified question the Supreme Court answered that directly addresses whether Hertz could bring a separate subrogation action
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceIn 1971, Mrs. McCutcheon was injured in an automobile accident involving a Hertz-owned vehicle. She was treated by Dr. Stuart, who allegedly negligent…
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PER CURIAM.
This case and its progeny have a long and arduous history in the appellate courts of Florida. See: Stuart v. Hertz, 302 So. 2d 187 (Fla. 4th DCA 1974); Stuart v. Hertz, 351 So. 2d 703 (Fla.1977); City of Lauderdale Lakes v. Underwriter at Lloyds, 373 So. 2d 944 (Fla. 4th DCA 1979); Stuart v. Hertz, 381 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980); and Underwriters at Lloyds v. City of Lauderdale Lakes, 382 So. 2d 702 (Fla.1980). In 1971, Mrs. McCutcheon was injured in an automobile accident with a Hertz owned car driven by a Hertz lessee. As a result of the auto accident, Mrs. McCutcheon was treated by Dr. Frank Stuart, who, it is alleged, was negligent in his medical treatment and greatly aggravated her initial injuries. McCutcheon initially sued Hertz and its driver in a personal injury suit. Hertz asserted a third party claim for indemnity against Stuart based on his aggravation of plaintiff’s injuries. This litigation produced the three above cited Stuart v. Hertz opinions. Eventually, the McCut-cheon v. Hertz personal injury action was disposed of when Hertz made a $1.1 million offer of judgment on the morning of trial. McCutcheon accepted the offer of judgment pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.442. Judgment was entered against Hertz which was satisfied in full. Meanwhile, McCutcheon had filed a separate suit against Stuart seeking recovery for Stuart’s alleged medical malpractice. This action, yet untried, remains pending in the Circuit Court.1
After paying McCutcheon $1.1 million, Hertz sued Stuart in a separate action on the theory of subrogation. Hertz alleged that all or part of the McCutcheon damages were caused or aggravated by Stuart’s medical malpractice, that Hertz was nevertheless liable under the law for all of McCutcheon’s damages (including those caused by Stuart), and that Stuart was liable in subrogation to Hertz by reason of its $1.1 million satisfaction to McCutcheon. Hertz alleged that its payment to McCut-cheon extinguished that party’s claim against Stuart and that McCutcheon had already received full payment for all damages due from Hertz or Stuart. Hertz also joined McCutcheon and Stuart in a prayer for declaratory relief on the issues of satisfaction, subrogation, and contribution. On motions of both defendants, Stuart and McCutcheon, the trial court dismissed the complaint with prejudice for failure to state a cause of action. Hertz appeals; we find error and reverse.
In Stuart v. Hertz, 381 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980), at 1164, we stated:
The decision reached in this case in no way prevents or discourages the respondents from instituting a separate lawsuit against the petitioners for contribution or subrogation. We have already expressed our support for such separate actions in City of Lauderdale Lakes v. Underwriters, 373 So. 2d 944 (Fla. 4th DCA 1979). However, in view of the Supreme Court’s acceptance of jurisdiction we make no definitive statement as to the validity of such actions.
In Underwriters at Lloyds v. City of Lauderdale Lakes, 382 So. 2d 702 (Fla.1980), the Supreme Court considered the following certified question from this Court:
DOES THE DECISION IN STUART V. HERTZ [the prior Supreme Court opinion] BAR A SEPARATE LAWSUIT BY THE INITIAL TORTFEASOR AGAINST A SUCCESSOR TORT-FEASOR WHO AGGRAVATES THE ORIGINAL INJURIES?
The Supreme Court answered this question in the negative holding that Hertz could state a cause of action in subrogation as a remedy affording an initial tortfeasor equitable apportionment of liability when a victim’s injuries have been negligently aggravated by an attending doctor. The allegations of the Hertz complaint herein are within the stated requirements of the relevant cases and, if those allegations are true, form a basis for relief. The trial court thus erred in concluding a cause of action had not been stated in subrogation. Further, under the special facts of this very complex litigation, we conclude that the declaratory decree aspect of the complaint was also proper and should be reinstated.
REVERSED AND REMANDED FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.
ANSTEAD, BERANEK and GLICK-STEIN, JJ., concur. . The McCutcheon v. Stuart medical malpractice action is not before us on this appeal.
Cases With Similar Vibessemantic neighbors from the corpus
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McCUTCHEON v. The HERTZ Corp., 463 So. 2d 1226 (Fla. 4th DCA 1985)…WALDEN, JJ., concur. . Stuart v. Hertz Corp., 302 So. 2d 187 (Fla. 4th DCA 1974) [HERTZ I] Stuart v. Hertz Corp., 351 So. 2d 703 (Fla.1977) [HERTZ II] Stuart v. Hertz Corp., 381 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980) [HERTZ III] Hertz Corp. v. Stuart, 422 So. 2d 38 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982) [HERTZ IV]…
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Benchwarmers, Inc. v. Gorin, 689 So. 2d 1197 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997)…Hwang from suit; that Benehwarmers is an “equitable subrogee” of Nathaniel Gorin, as personal representative of Ruth Gorin’s estate; and that Benehwarmers seeks reimbursement from Dr. Hwang for his share of the liability. See Hertz Corp. v. Stuart, 422 So. 2d 38 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982)(similar facts stated a cause of action for equitable subro-gation). Relying on Rucks v. Pushman, 541 So. 2d 673 (Fla. 5th DCA), rev. denied, 549 So. 2d 1014 (Fla.1989), Dr. Hwang argues that because Benehwarmers stands “in the s…
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Gertrude Knutson and Gustav Knutson v. Life Care Ret. Cmtys., Inc., 493 So. 2d 1133 (Fla. 4th DCA 1986)…sulting from the same lawsuit: Stuart v. Hertz Corp., 302 So. 2d 187 (Fla. 4th DCA 1974) Hertz I; Stuart v. Hertz Corp., 351 So. 2d 703 (Fla.1977) Hertz II; Stuart v. Hertz Corp., 381 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980) Hertz III; Hertz Corp. v. Stuart, 422 So. 2d 38 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982) Hertz IV; McCutcheon v. Hertz Corp., 463 So. 2d 1226 (Fla. 4th DCA 1985).…
Previewing 3 of 4 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- Frank M. Stuart, M.D., P.A. v. The HERTZ Corp., 351 So. 2d 703 (Fla. 1977)
- Underwriters AT Lloyds & Frank A. Stuart, M.D. v. City OF Lauderdale Lakes, 382 So. 2d 702 (Fla. 1980)
- Frank M. Stuart, M.D., P.A. v. The HERTZ Corp., 302 So. 2d 187 (Fla. 4th DCA 1974)
- Frank A. Stuart, M.D. v. The HERTZ Corp., 381 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980)
- Feinman v. The City OF Jacksonville, 373 So. 2d 944 (Fla. 1st DCA 1979)
- City OF Lauderdale Lakes v. Underwriters AT Lloyds & Frank A. Stuart, M.D., 373 So. 2d 944 (Fla. 4th DCA 1979)