CALVIN FOX, AS FATHER OF RICHARD FOX, A/K/A RICKEY FOX, DECEASED, APPELLANT,
v.
TROUP BROS., INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION AND DADE COUNTY, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEES

Fla. 3d DCA | 1962-02-08
No. 61-505
Before CARROLL, BARKDULL and HENDRY, JJ.
137 So. 2d 620 Florida District Court of Appeal, Third District (1962)

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Synopsis

The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of a county as a defendant in a tort action under the attractive nuisance doctrine. The court found that the county was acting merely as an agent for the State Road Department in acquiring property for a state road, and therefore was not liable.


Holding

No, Dade County cannot be held liable because it was merely a conduit for the State Road Department and acted solely as its agent in acquiring the property for the state road.


Key Quotes

“having taken judicial knowledge of the fact that the real property involved is a part of the Palmetto By-Pass, which has been designated as a State Road, and having taken further cognizance of Florida Highway Code, Fourth Part, particularly § 337.28(2) and § 337.29(2), Florida Statutes, 1959 [F.S.A.], was and is of the opinion that the defendant Dade County was merely a conduit for the acquiring of title to the real property by the State Road Department, and was acting solely as the agent of the State Road Department under the applicable State Law for the acquiring of said title”

The trial court's reasoning for dismissing the county, which the appellate court adopted.

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Facts & Procedural History

The plaintiff sued a contractor and Dade County for wrongful death under the attractive nuisance doctrine. The property in question was part of a stat…

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Opinion of the Court
PER CURIAM.

PER CURIAM.

This is an appeal from an order of the circuit court which, on Dade County’s motion, dismissed the county as a defendant. The action was in tort under the attractive nuisance doctrine. The county and the defendant contractor were allegedly in possession. The trial court held that the complaint failed to state a cause of action against the county, saying:

“ * * * having taken judicial knowledge of the fact that the real property involved is a part of the Palmetto By-Pass, which has been designated as a State Road, and having taken further cognizance of Florida Highway Code, Fourth Part, particularly § 337.28(2) and § 337.29(2), Florida Statutes, 1959 [F.S.A.], was and is of the opinion that the defendant Dade County was merely a conduit for the acquiring of title to the real property by the State Road Department, and was acting solely as the agent of the State Road Department under the applicable State Law for the acquiring of said title, * * *

We agree, and affirm the order appealed.

Affirmed.


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