Van Hoy et al v. Sandals Resorts International, Ltd. et al, No. 1:2011cv24580 - Document 227 (S.D. Fla. 2013)
Court Description: ORDER Denying In Part Defendants' Choice-Of-Law Motions and Applying Florida Law: denying 173 Motion to Determine Choice of Law; granting 175 Motion to Adopt/Join; granting 176 Motion to Adopt/Join; denying 179 Motion to Determine Choice of Law. Signed by Judge Patricia A. Seitz on 12/6/2013. (wc)
Download PDF
<![CDATA[
Van Hoy et al v. Sandals Resorts International, Ltd. et al Doc. 227 UNI TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT SO UTHERN DI STRI O F FLORI CT DA CASE NO.1124580- V- TZ/ M ONTON CI SE1 Sl J OHN VAN HOY,SR ., etal, . Pl ntfs ai if, SANDALS RESORTS W TERNATI ONAL, LTD .e a1, ,t . Def nda s e nt . O RDER DENYI G I PART DEFENDANTS' N N CH OI OFCE- LAW M OTI ONS AND APPLYI FLORI LAW NG DA Thi ma tri be or t Cour on De e nt Pe arW ae Poola Spa l a St s te s f e he t f nda s nt i tr nd nc. nd a , Ri I d sre LLC' M oint DeemieChoc o La ( 1 3 a De e d n Sa d l t n u tis e S to o tr n ie f w DE- 7 J nd fn a t n as Re or I e na i ,Lt . ' M oin t Dee i Ch ieo La g 1 9 .Th swr n f l e t s t nt r tonal d s to o tnnne oc f w DE- 7 J i o g u d ah c s a ie fom t dr a e rs s r he owni ofJ Va Ho , J .i t Ba ng ohn n y r n he hamas De enda ss e ar i . f nt e k ulng t Ba m in l w a i st Pl ntfs cli sf ne i e, pr uc sla lt and i lc i of hat ha a a pple o ai if ' am or glgenc od t ibiiy, nti ton e i ldite s I r pons , Pl ntfsa g t tM is ibe r t mos sg fca motona sr s . n es e ai if r ue ha s our a s he t i nii nt r l tons p t t sca e, a t tt lwsoft sa es d gove n. e a i hi o hi s nd ha he a hat t t houl r TheCour hasr e d t motons Plitfs Omnb Repo e( 1 8 , t eviwe he i , an if ' ius s ns DE- 8 ) Dee d n s rpl s( 1 2, 9 1t erc r , n t a p ia l lw ta wa pr vd d fn a t' e i DE 9 1 3 ,h e o d a d he p lc be a h t s o ie e . Bec us De e nt ha notme t rbur n t e t bls t tBa m i 1w co lc swih t a e f nda s ve t hei de o sa ih ha hn an a ntit t h at ofFl i a and M i s i t i m otonsa ede e .l Fl i lw , t l w oft s f r ,w il or d s our , her i r ni d orda a he a hi o um l gove n t sc ebe aus Fl rdahasa mor sgnii a r l tons p t n M is i s n t t e r hi as c e o i e i fc nt e a i hi ha s our purua t o h Alo be or t Cour ar t Notce ofJ nde i Pe ai' moton, fl d by t s f e he t e wo i s oi r n nt rs i ie he rmann Dee d n s s eg 1 5 1 6 , c t eCo r c n tu sa moinst j i . These e iig fn a t, e DE- 7 , 7 1 whih h u t o sr e s to o o n m otons a e g a e i r r nt d. Dockets.Justia.com c o c - flw f co ss t o t i teRe ttme t S c nd o Co fit fLa h ieo -a a tr e f rh n h sae n ( e o ) f n lc o ws . Pr edur Bac ound oc al kgr J m Van H oy,J . did a trbei e r ppe by t sngl s i m e ha s i ahot ol r e fe ng nta d he i e-ucton c nim n t a t Roya Ba mi n Res t nN a s u, Baha a . V a Hoy' e t t hi par nt,a e ub t he l ha a or i s a m s n s s a e s e s dopt d , s fa ée a equiabl a ed s tld azo- c on, i nc , nd t y dopt on ie ountc pl i a ns s ve algr om a nt gai t e r oups of De e nt t r ove c f nda s o ec r ompe aor a punii da a sduet hi de t Pl ntfss d ns t y nd tve m ge o s a h. ai if ue Sa l Res t I e nai l whi m ai ai d t Roya Baha in a Uni V a a i nda s ors ntr tona, ch nt ne he l m a , nd que c tons , whih wasVa Hoy' ta la nt The a s s d f m a a t e soft s ton c n s r ve ge . y lo ue our nuf c ur r he uci mec nim ' c pone pa t Ha r I usres A . .Sm ih Co po a i Pe ai W atrPool ha s s om nt rs: ywa d nd ti , O t r r ton, nt r e a Spa l ,a St liel tis LLC2(h i n a tr rDee d ns). Fi l t y s d nd , nc. nd a-tt ndusre , t e s ufcu e fn a t' naly, he ue Ma t ve sa diti or oft epars Hos tlt Pur e sa SPC (hed iti o wo ndor nd srbut s hos t, piaiy v yor nd t r srbutr Deenda s). f nt' Pl ntfsaleg ne i nc cl msa ns Sa l t ai if l e glge e ai gai t ndas count1 a Uni Va tons ) nd que cai ( untV)aii fom Deenda s c Co rsng r f nt' onduc i conne tonwih t hott ss ft a t tn ci t he ub' aey nd he eve ss r nt uroundi Va Hoy' de t Ast t M a a ur rDe enda s Pl i if al get t ng n s ah. o he nuf ct e f nt, antfs le ha Ha r vi ae t Vigi aGre Bake Ac (ç ywad oltd he r ni a me r tt VGBA', 1 U. C.j8001e.s q.andt ' 5 S. ) t e , he Cons rPr tSaft Ac (t ume oduc ey t 6 CPSA',1 U. C. 2 51e. e . Co n Vl b c u et ed an ' 5 S j 0 ts q ( u t ) e a s h r i ) . c rdi notc ove d ompl wih i ty e r pmen pr eci sa ds Pl i if a s r s src y t ndusr nta t ot ton t ndar . antfs lo aie tit pr tla lt a ne i nc c am sa ns a lf m a a t e s oduc ibiiy nd glge e l i gai t 1 our nuf c ur r - Ha r ( ywad Count V1 a s 1 nd VIl, O.Smih( 1) A. t Count I a X) a Pe ar( s X nd , nd nti CountXIa X1) Thes cot t generaly nd 1 e m s l . 2 On De e be 6, 201 Pl ntfsno ii d t Cour t tt y ha s tld t rcli s cm r 3, ai if tfe he t ha he ve e te hei am a an tS alie Se ( 2 1 Th ss tlme td e no atrt eo to o teCo r' g is t-tt. e DE- 26 . i et n o s t le h u c me f h u ts e c c - -a a l i. hoi e oflw nays s 2 a lget tt hott spu p, t s to oute dr i c rgr t , t pum p' mot r t fle le ha he ub' m he uci n lt an ove / ae he s o , he itr , a t s ton oute d an as e y wer i o ry m a a t e a / desg nd he uc i lt r i s mbl e mpr pe l nuf c ur d nd or i ned,r s tng i e uli n anurr s na y da r c to t tc us d Va Hoy' ac i nt lea o bl nge ous ondii n ha a e n s c de . Pl i if a s as e tsx cai sa ns t Diti o Def nda s vi a i oft antfs lo s r i l m gai t he srbut r e nt : ol ton he VGBA a CPSA ( t XV a XV11 bm e ont algai t tt eDefnda s nd Couns nd 1) s d he le ton ha hes e nt knowi y s d ahott gr t t tdi notc ngl ol ub ae ha d ompl wih e r pme pr e ton sa ds s rc y t nta nt ot c i tndar ; t i t la it ( u t XV1a dXI ; n ne lg n e( u t XVI a dXX)b s do tealg to ibl y Co n s i n X) a d gi e c Co n s I n a e n h le ai n t tt s Def nda sditi ed t def c i pum p, dr i c r m ot , dr n s ha he e e nt srbut he e tve a n ove , or ai ump as e y, s mbl a flr ton s tm i t le i t hott wher Va Hoywase r pped. nd ita i yse nsal d n he ub e n nta Ni eCl a a as e t t e c am sa i tSanda sa Uni Va tons Cot t 1 col e velnd s rs hr e l i gans l nd que cai . m s1 a I1as e tcai sf i e i la ne i nti lci n ofe i dite sag ns Sa l nd 1 s r l m or nt ntona nd glge nfi to motonal sr s ai t nda s a Uni Va tons a lgi t tSa l e pl esf l t he p he tyt r s ueVa Hoy nd que cai , le ng ha nda s m oye aied o l r r o e c n prort hi de t a i i t t thi de t ha be hi own f ul orhe s3 CountI as e td i o s a h nd nsnuaed ha s a h d en s a t r. V s re a f s i io e cai a ns Sa sand Uni Va tonsba e on Cl velnd' al ge ale mprs nm nt l m gai t ndal que cai sd ea a s le d c i m e i he r onfne nt n r oom f l ng Va Ho sde t . Th Co r d s s e t scam o o u olowi n y' a h e u t imis d hi li nf r m nonc ninsgr onve e ounds Se Omni Or r( 1 . . e bus de DE- 581 l t i c c of l w m otons Def nda sado e by r e e et s n he r hoi e- -a i , e nt ptd efr nc he nmeex r pe t d ca ainss b te i s p r o terp e i u moinst ds s f ï o u n nc n e in e lr to u mitd n u po t f h i rv o s to o imis o f r m o o v ne s . Se De .ofFr rc R.M . S t g 5 1 4 De l o Elit B. c hat( 5 - 1 e cl ede ik mih DE 2-4 ; c. f lo t Lo k r DE 3 1 . De e nt di notg vet Cour c e oft Ba m in wr ulde t saut m uc l s f nda s d i he t opis he ha a ongf ah t t e h es - 3 I er s i y, t t r f r 'c a e ofbo h Count 1 a IIs e dnma onl nt e tngl he t e o e' l us s whe t s 1 nd 1 e k ges y a ans Sa l. g i t ndas e n a ctton t t sat e- oroft t Ba mi n ca e ct d i t s dec ve ia i o he t ut he wo ha a s s ie n he e l a ains( h r to bot a esi is sofla lt ,nordi t ypr dean polc co i rtonsundel ngt ddr sng sue ibiiy) d he ovi y iy nsdeai ryi he Ba mas wr ulde t sa ut . ThePa te do notar uet taconfi te ssa t t hn ' ongf a h tt e ris g ha lc xit s o he elme sofPl i if ne i nc andpr t la lt cli unde t l e nt antfs' glge e oduc s ibiiy a ms r he a wsoft t e he hr e i e e t d s r i ns- Fl i , t B a m as a M i s i I t a t c lc s of l w di put ntr se ove e g orda he ha , nd s our . ns e d, he onfi t - -a s e co e nst c t gore ofda nc r he a e i s mage t tca ber ove edunde e h s r gn' wr u de t s ha n ec r r ac ove ei s ongf l ah saut ,aswelaswho i entte t r c tt e l s ild o e overt edama . hes ges I. I LegalSt andard Pli if sa elw cli sa ebe or t Cour on di st gr antfs' t t a am r f e he t veriy ounds , 2 U. C. 1 3 8 S. j 3 2. Se Am . mp .!6 e Co l, 6.Thu ,heCo r mu ta pyt c n lc- flw r lso t ef r m sae st u t s p l he o fito -a ue f h o u tt, Fl i Gr po Teevs , S. v.Telmundo Commu c i Gr p, I . 485F. 1 ( 1h orda. u l ia A. e niatons ou nc, 3d 233 1 t Ci. 0 7 .W r n f ld ahcamsween t e o n z du e t ec mmo lw They ar r 2 0 ) o g u e t li r o r c g ie nd r h o n a e . c e t esofsa ut y lw .Eac oft t ees r i nsa is ha awr u deah saut . r aur tt or a h he hr ove e g t s ue s ongf l t t t e Fl i hasa e t S i fc ntr ltons psts'oft Resae nt( c ofConfitof orda doptd he t gniia eai hi et' he ttme Se ond) s lc La ( 9 ) od tr n whc j rs ito slwss o l a pl i c s ss c a ti Biho v. ws 1 71 t eemi e ih u idcin' a h ud p y n a e u h s h s s p . Fl rda S i t Pai Co 389So. 999( a.1 . o i pecaly nt ., 2d Fl 980)4 l w r f de t c es th l c l1w o tesaewh r t ij r o c re d tr n s n ong ' a h as , i e o a a f h tt e e he n uy c u rd eemie ul t t rgh sa la lte oft pari unl s , wih r pe tt t pa tc a i s , s eot rsa e he i t nd i biii s he tes e s t es c o he riulr s ue om he tt ha amor sgniia rltons punde t prncplssae i j6t t oc ure ea t s e i fc nt eai hi r he i i e ttd n o he c r nc nd he 4 Fe r lc de a omm on-a c lc - - lwsr esdi aet t heResaeme ( ond)of lw onfitof a ul ctt ha t tt nt Sec ConfitofLawss d de e newhih c lc - -a r l ss d bea i d t apa tc a lc houl t nni c onti tofl ws u e houl pple o ri ulr c e Pi as . amba Core v Ame c Ai i s l . 1 F. d 1 2, 1 n. 1 ( 1hCi.1 ) ts . rian rlne , nc , 77 3 27 296 Th 9 1 t r 999 . us t s m er l a yt bot t sa eco m o 1 w a t f de a VGBA cli s , he a ues ppl o h he t t m n a nd he e r l am . 4 pm i ,i whih e ntt l a lw oft o he sa ewilbe a i es n c ve he oc l a he t r tt l ppl e ' Res.j 1 Thi nle d.' t 75. s l a i whe e,a her , t c lc o lwsi ve t is ofdnma pples r s e he onfit f a nvol s he s ue ges . S ei ,j1 8 I e d. 7 . n t e cic s a es t El ve h Cic thashel t tt ( e er nc f t sat i hes r um t nc , he e nt r ui d ha he i f e e or he t e n whi h t pr c he ij r o c re al u ds p e r .. Pimb Co ts 177F. at1297 Court ar diectd t nu y c u rd lb t ia p a s.' a a re , .' 3d s e r e o . a y t s m eprnci est tcontolt s l c i oft 1w a i bl ppl he n i pl ha r he e e ton he a pplca et p ro a ij r o e s n ln u y cams s eRettme tj1 6 whc i cu eteg n rl icplss e ii t tr camss t li , e sae n 4 , ih n ld h e ea prn i e p cfc o o t li e f rh i s c i 1 . Se Re t j1 c . Pi a Co ts 1 F.3d a 1 o t n e ton 45 e s. 75 mta; amb re , 77 t 297. Bec us i a et no rg dr e e s f r s vi c lc - -a pr e si wr ' de t a i nsgove ne by i i uls xit or e ol ng onfitoflws oblm n ongf a h cto ul r d t Resae e , t Cour mus e m i t i e e t c e t by t f c sa cic sa esof he t tm nt' he ' t t xa ne he nt r ss r a ed he a t nd r um t nc e h c e.1 ac as d. Pur ua t t e pr nc pl s t fr tse oft c c ofl w a yssi t de e mi s nt o hes i i e , he is tp he hoie- -a nal i s o t r ne whih s r g havea i e es i a y ng t rlwst t sltga i .s N ext t Cour m us c ove eins n ntr t n ppli hei a o hi ii ton he t t , c n ie wh te t eei açr c n lc'a ngt ej rs ito swi a itrs i ap riu a o sd r eh r h r s sue o fit' mo h u idcin t n n ee t n a t lr t h c 5 I t cas , t s r i n' i e essa e dee mi ptr ua t Re t e e s cton n ort es he ove e g s nt r t r tr ned zs nt o satm nt e i 1 2)whi pr des 45( , ch ovi : ( )Co tcst b tk n it a c u ti a pli gtep icpe o j6t d tr n 2 na t o e a e no c o n n p yn h rn i ls f o ee mie t l applc bl t a is i l he aw i a e o n s ue nc ude: ()t epa ewh r t eij r o c re ; a h lc ee h n u y c u r d ()t ep a ewh r t ec nd c c u igt ij r o c re b h lc ee h o u t a sn he n u y c u rd; ()t d mii, e ie c , ain ly p a eofic mo ain a dpa eo c he o clr sd n e n to ai , lc n o r t n lc f t o bus ne s oft pa tes and i s he r i ; ( t pl ewheet rlto hi i a bewe nt pa tesi ce e e d) he ac r he eains p,f ny, t e he ri s ntr d . The ec a t a et bee ua e a or ng t t i r l i i ra wih s ont c s r o val t d cc di o her eatve mpo tnce t r pe t t pa tcul ri s . es ct o he r i a s ue i s Se Tu v Phi Mor i, nc, So. 350( a s ue. e ne . l è rs I .766 2d F1. 2dDCA 2000) A c tne donl . our e y unde tke ac ra omplt c c ofl a l i i atueco lc e ss 1 A t a s c lc 'exit e e hoi e aw nayss f r ntit xit . d. s le onfit' ss f whe thelwsofdifrntsae ae( )t s me, ( difrntbutwoul pr et s me ns a t fee tts r 1 he a 2) fee d oduc he n outom eunde t f c soft c e, or()whe t polce ofonesaewoul bef t r by c r he a t he as 3 n he iis tt d urheed t a i ai ofisl wswhiet polc oft ot rsa ewoul notbe a he pplc ton t a l he i y he he t t d dvanc d by t e he a i ai ofislw s' f . pplc ton t a . # ' Oncet Cour hasi ii d atuec lc be wee t orm o ei e e t he t dentfe r onfit t n wo r nt r sed s ve egns i o ri ,t t nst t fna se oft choie- -a a yss- a yi t f c or i Resatm e s to ur o he i l tp he c oflw nal i ppl ng he a t s n t e nt ec i n 6 t i ntf whih s r gn' i e e t a em or sgnii a .6 Forwr uldeah cli o de iy c ove ei s nt r ss r e i fc nt ongf t a ms , t s hi pa toft a l i t nsi lr pa ton t baa eofco pe i i e esscontm plt d by r he nayss ur n a ge r he lnc m tng nt r t e ae scin 6 2 ()a d6 2 () whc i ov str ese : 1 ie tf igt p riu a r l o lw e t s ( )b n ( )c, ih nv le h e tps () d n iyn he a t lr ue f a o c t bea ple byea hi eese s ri ()i ntf ngt pupos sorpolcesunderyi o p id c ntr td oveegn; 2 de iyi he r e ii l ng ea hsae' r e; ( a s si t degeet whi t pupos underyi ea hr l woul c tt s ul and 3) s e sng he r o ch he es l ng c ue d bef t r b t r l sa i to . Pimb Co ts 1 7F.da 1 9 ( i to so te ) urhe ed y he ue' pplcai n a a re , 7 3 t 2 9 ct in mitd . a Ge e al,é saewho eî l y itr ssaemo td e l a fce s udh v isl c llws n r l ihe tt y t s poi ) ne et r s e py fe td ho l a e t o a a c a i d.'1 pple ' d. 6 Thes f c o si l . e a t r ncude' ()t en e o t itrtt a d itm aina s se ; a h e ds f he n esae n ne to l y tms ( )ter lv n p lce of h f r m; b h ee a t o iis t e o u ()t rlva polce oft ot ri eese sae a t rltve c he ee nt iis he he ntr td tts nd he eai i t r t oft esa e i t deer nai oft pa tc a is ; n e ess hos t t s n he t mi ton he ri ulr s ue ( )t p oe to o j siide p cains d he r tcin f u tfe x e tto ; ()t b scpoiisu d ryn t ep riulrfed o lw; e he a i l e n elig h a t a il f a c c ( c rany p e itblt a du io iyo r s l; n 9 e tit, rd ca ii n n f nnt f e ut a d y ( )e s i t d tnnn to a da p iaint te1w t bea p id g a e n he ee iain n p lc t o h a o p le o . 6 11 1. A nal i ys s A. TheBahamas Fl i , and M i s iha an i er s i t s ltgaton , or da s our ve nt e t n hi i i i . Alhoug none oft Pa tesi a Baha a c tz n t Ba mashasan i e e ti t s t h he ri s mi n ii e he ha ntr s n hi , ltga i be a et deah gi ng rs t Pl i if 'cai socc r d i t Ba m a ii ton c us he t vi ie o antfs l m ure n he ha s . Si ia l m l ry, a 1oft aleg c 1 he l ed onduc by Sandas a a sg t a pori oft a l ed c t l, nd i nik nt ton he leg onduc b Uni t y que Va to , s t pl ei t Ba mas M is ihasan i e e ti t sltga i be a e cai ns alo ook ac n he ha . s our ntr s n hi ii ton c us Van Hoy a a 1Pl ntfsar M is ir sde s l a ton,a or ng t Pli if nd l ai if e s our e i nt . n ddii cc di o antfs a lie , St - t t , Ha r A . Sm ih, a SCP a er git r d t do busne si M is i ywa d, O. t nd r e se e o i s n s our . Res , 6.Sa l p.at nda s a s ha busne steswih M is ibec us i ad riest r . I lo s i s i t s our a e t ve ts he e d. Fl i si e es i t sltga i se sfom t f c t tHos t lt P orda' nt r t n hi ii ton t m r he a t ha pia iy u ve r i a r yo s s Fl i co por ton a , aong wih Uni Va a i , hasispr nc pa pl ce ofbus nes i orda r a i nd l t que c tons t i i l a i sn M im iDa Count , Fl i Furhe , t a - de y orda. t r alhough neihe Sanda snort M a acurng t r l he nuf t i Def nt ha t i prncpa pl c ofbusne si Fl i , e c i r gitr d a co enda s ve he r i i l a e i s n orda a h s e se e nd nduc s t s omebusnes i Fl i Sa l alo mai ai as l ofi ei Fl i .? Fl i a s hasa i s n orda. nda s s nt ns aes fc n orda orda lo n itr s a t ej rs ito wh r Plitfsc s t fl t slws i Thus,t Baham as, Fl ri , nee t s h u idcin ee anif ho e o ie hi a ut he o da . a M is ia lha an i er s i a yi t rr pe tvewr uldeah l nd s our l ve nt e t n ppl ng hei es c i ongf t a t t sdiput . ws o hi s e B. D e endant f lt m ee t i bur n ofes a i hi a c f s ai o t he r de t bls ng onni tb c l et een t w he aw s oft Baham as a Fl i and M i s he nd or da s ouriI w . a De e f ndan sfl d t t e r de l r tonson Ba m in lw , t ie he wo xpe t c a a i ha a a s e( 5 1 53- q t e DE 2-4; 1,o 7 Ot rt Uni Va a i a Hos t lt Pur y he han que c tons nd piaiy ve o i r, s none oft Def nt i he enda s s nc por td o hasisprnci lplceofbusne si t Ba m a , M is lr,orFl i The or ae r t i pa a i s n he hn s s ozi orda. r m ani De e e i ng f ndan sa ei om or t d orha t i prncpa plceofbusnes i N e J r e t r nc ae ve her i i l a i s n w e s y, D e a a e,W i c i , a M i ot ThePari a gueonl f t a i to ofBa mi n lw r s ons n nd nnes a. tes r y or he pplcai n hn a M i s i orFl i lw . Ass c ,h Co r d e n ta d e steitr sso oh r u idcin s our, orda a u h te u t o s o d r s h ne e t f te j rs ito, s . de onsr t t tPl i if 'c am sa er c z d a a ia ei t m tae ha antfs l i r e ogni e nd va lbl n h eBa mas The e hn . s d l ai f lt s ecar tons ai o how a c lc bewe Ba m in lw a t elw sofeihe M is ior ny onfit t en ha a a nd h a t r s our Fl i . M or ve , t des rpton oft eeme sofPl ntfs ne i nc a pr orda eo r he c i i he l nt ai if ' glge e nd oduc sla lt t ibiiy ca msi t de l r tonsi f us d on la lt i s r t rt on t e da a sa ia e li n he c a a i s oc e i biiy s ues a he han h m ge va lbl t rt Ba m a 'wr uldeah sa ut , t cr oft Pari c lcs ofl diput mde he ha s ongf t tt e he ux he tes' onti t- -aw s e . Addii ly,Def nda s deca ai do notpr de a e de eofac lctast tona l e nt ' lr tons ovi ny vi nc onfi o N iol Cla lnd' i t ntona a ne i nti lc i ofe o i dite scl i s. c e e vea s n e i l nd glge nfi ton m tonal sr s a m Furhe m or ,t de l r tonsc ai onl apas i r e e t tVa Hoy' equiabl a ed t r e he c a a i ont n y sng ef r nce ha n s t y dopt s n La o ndon Claveand' cli woul notbe r c z d unde Ba m in lw a pr vi no e l s a ms d e ogni e r hn a a nd o de , po iy r as unde l ngt sprnci e. lc e ons ryi hi i pl A dititc ti notr quie t conduc isown r s a c i o t co e off r i l w . src our s e rd o tt e e r h nt he nt nt o egn a M ut Se vi e I ur e Co.v. i I sr e ,l ., 358F. 1 2,1 ( 1h Ci. ual r c s ns anc , Frt ndu tis nc 3d 31 321 1 t r 2004 . ) Ra he ,t bur i on Def nda s a t m o ng pa t , t e t bls t e se e ofac lc . t r he den s e nt , s he vi r y o sa ih he xit nc onfit Ret,j1 c .f( 971.Dee nt f l t stsyt sbur n Ther f e,t Courtwil s. 36 mt 1 ) fnda s aied o aif hi de e or he l . f usisc c of lw a ysson Fl i a M is lil w . oc t hoie- -a nal i orda nd s otr a C. The c c - -aw anal i s hoi e of l ys s uppor s t applc i ofFl da I . t he i at on ori aw 1 . The r c s wsa par i c e ord ho tal onni tbe we n M is iand Fl i I w . c t e s our or da a Pl ntfsur t Co tt a y M i s il w be aus t tsa eha am or sgnii a ai if ge he ur o ppl s our a c e ha t t s e i fc nt co nneci n wih t sc et n Fl rda. Pl ntfsco e t tM i s iswr uldeah sa ut to t hi as ha o i ai if nt nd ha s our' ongf t tt e, Mo. v.Stt jj537. 0& 537. pr vi f mor ge r dn gest Pli if t n Re a . 08 090, o des or e neous ma o antfs ha Fl i sW r ulDeah Ac . Se Fl Stt 57 1 e. e l pa t a, antfsaguet t orda' ongf t t e a. a. 68.6, ts q. n ri r Pli if r ha cul , i co r s t Fl i lw , Se ton537. ofM is ur' wr u de t saut woul alw: 1 n nta t o orda a ci 090 so is ongf l ah tt e d lo () 8 Va Ho spa e st r c n y' r nt o e overda mage be nd f r lexpe s yo une a ns es ( Pli if t r ove f ;2) antfs o ec r or da gesi r e by Va Hoy prort hi de t , i udi m e ca expe esa pan a ma ncu r d n i o s a h ncl ng di l ns nd i nd s feig a ()Va Ho se utbya o tds n La d nCla ea dt rc ve d ma e See u frn ; nd 3 n y' q ia l d p e o n o e v ln o e o r a g s . Re p. a 1 11 Upon e m i ton oft r c d, onl t s cond iem pr en satuec lc s , t 0- . xn na i he e or y he e t es t r onfi t . Conta y t Pl i if a s ri , Fl i 1w a l t pa e sofadec de t r ove r r o antfs' s e tons orda a lows he r nt e nt o ec r frt el au o l s s p o t n s r ie gn jf tr ls o s p o t n s r ie ' Pi ba o h t le f o t u p r a d e vc s a d uu e o s f u p r a d e vc s ' am v . Core v Ame i Ailne , l c,1 7F.d 1 7 ,1 9 ( 1h Ci. 9 ) Alh u hFlrd ' ts . rcan r i s n . 7 3 2 2 2 9 1 t r 1 99 . t o g o ias W r ulDe t Ac woul notalow Va Ho spa ent t r cove f t i m e alpai a ongf ah t d l n y' r s o e r or her nt n nd s f rng be us Va Ho wa a a ta t tm ehedi d, s eFl. a. 786. 14) t yco d ufe i ca e n y s n dul t he i e e a Stt j 2 ( ,he ul po e ilyr ove da gesbe t nta l ec r ma yond f r le ns s Furhe r ,Pli if pr deno une a xpe e . t nno e a ntfs ovi a hort a t Cour hasf ut iy, nd he t ound none, r ga di whe he M is ilw woul a l Pli if e r ng t r s our a d low antfs t r co rf rm e a pai a s f rng a ii fom Va Hoy' de t .8 o e ve o nt l n nd ufe i rsng r n s ah Howeve ,aco lc e ssr r ng apot nta r c y f Va Hoy' pai and r ntit xit ega di e il e over or n s n s f rngprort hi deah. Fl i sW r u De t Ac wase t d i pa tt o e i naet ufe i i o s t orda' ongf l a h t nac e n r E lmi t he t cam f r i a ds fe igo ted c d n fo t etmeo ij r t t etmeo d ah and li o pan n u frn f h e e e t r m h i f nu y o h i f e t , s bsiut i t ad ac am f rt pai a s f rng oft s vvo s u tt e nse l i o he n nd ufe i he ur i r . ' Kaf nv He r n 7 ' uma . rma , 48 S .d31 , 1( 1 . t DCA 1 9 )(n en lctto o te lg M isour l w , however alows o2 0 31 F a 4h 9 9 itr a iai n mitd s ia , l . f t r cove y oft ur vorhi da a si ur e byt dec de be or de t s h a media or he e r t vi s p m ge nc r d he e nt f e ah uc s s cl , 8 Se ton 537.090 ofM i s i swr ngf de t s a ut pr dest tç m age f g i f ci s our ' o ul a h t t e ovi ha t da s or r e a be e ve nt' r notr cove a e. l t r a eot rf msofda a f m e alpan a nd r a me 'a e e r bl f he e r he or m ges or nt i nd s f rnga ia et Pli if unde M is il w , Pl i if ha notm e t i btr of ufe i val bl o antf s r s our a antfs ve t her lden pr di t Cour wih t a hort s ovi ng he t t he ut iy uppo tng s h dama . ri uc ges 9 Fl i a l f t r c r ofm e ca e ns sE t t orda lows or he e ove y di l xpe e t o h due d at .by asurvi who haspai t m e h.. vor d he ' Fl Stt j786. ' a. a. 21 . 9 ed c d n ' ij r o e e e ts nu y r e p n e a dpa na dsfe ig.. Po l v Amerian M ot sCor ., 834 S. . 184 186 x e s s n i n ufrn .' wel ., c or p W 2d , . ( o.1 (mphassa d) Ass h,Pl i if haveesabls d atueconti M 992) e i dde uc antfs t ihe r l . c oflw bewe t a t en M is zia Fl i lw . s olr nd orda a Ast t c am sofVa Ho se tbl a pt o he l i n y' quia y do ed s t evi nceofatuec lc i on, he de r onfit s i ufi e . l Flrda t ed crn o e utb ea o to i ûudcal ce tda ns fcint n o i ,h o tie f q ia l d p in s j iily rae ndus i ed n i e t c pr ee ngst enf c a or lorw rte ag e m e t a nt s a y oc di o or e n a it n r e nt o dopti or rt e t bls t n de o sa ih he a pt d c l srght ofi rt nc .' Jole v.Se c Labor or e do e hid' i s nhe ia e ' l y am o at i s , I ,828 So. 1050, nc. 2d 1 51( l.1tDCA 2 0 ) Th s achid who i equiabl adopt d i Fl ri doesnoth 0 Fa s 0 2. u, l s t y e n o da ave a rghtofaci unde t sae' W r ulDeah Ac . 1 Ho e r i ton r he t t s ongf t t d. w ve ai if n , asPl ntf spoi tout t s , hi doesnotm e n t tLandon Cl vea , a ha ea lnd wh wa a j dc tda e utbya o t db aM is u i o s d u iae s q ia l d p e y so r c t wo d notbe a et pa tc pae i awr uldeah ca ede de unde Fl i lw our, ul bl o rii t n ongf t s ci d r orda a c e ni t deah ofaM is ir i nt See Re p. a 11 n. onc r ng he t s our esde . s ,t 5. Pli if havenotesa ihed a ntfs t bls t tLa ha ndon Cl a a woul bepr cude a amate oflw fom brngi hi wr u deah e velnd d el d s tr a r i ng s ongf l t cli sunde Fl rdal w . Ass h,t y ha notm e t i bur n ofs am r oi a uc he ve t her de howi t tatue c lc ng ha r onfi t e sson t sis . xit hi s ue 2. Fl da ha a m or s gni i ntre a i hi t ori s e i fca l t ons p o t scas t M is i hi e han s our. a . Baa i t eRe t tme ts c in 6 2 ( )a d 6 2 ()f co s lncng h sa e n e to ( )b n ( )c a t r l Fl i t pa tc a nze oflw i Fl . n orda, he riulr l a s a Stt j768. ,whih s t f t t sae' a. 21 c es orh he tt s wr uldeah da a ss me. Fl rdahasr ogni d t i e essr a i t t s ongf t m ge che oi ec ze wo nt r t eltng o hi r l of ue lw .Thefrti t s f l s a i i fom awr a is s o hit os es rsng r o n f l e t fo teij r dp ryt t e g u d ah r m h nu e a t o h m ong r The s c i t e ur t ta da a i pos d do notpos a t xc s i and doe . e ond s o ns e ha ny m ges m e e n t e sve e unf rbur upon domi la y de e n s.' Pi ba Co e ai den ciir f nda t ' am rt s , 1 F. a 1 77 3d t 300;Fl . St .j a at 7 7 Pl ntfspoi t t r epolc i e e t unde l ng M is tr' wr u de t dmna 68.4. ai if nt o h e iy nt r s s ryi s ozis ongf l ah ges s a ut M o. v.St t j5 70 0 ( )c mpe s t b ra dp ro sfrt erls t t e, Re a . 3 .9 : 1 o n ae ee ve e s n o h i o s , t tea o sbe t cos oft af a tvii s orf s r ar he t ms e c i te , ()e tr t t 2 nsle ha a ( deerha mf c nd 3) t r ul onductwhi mi ladt ch ght e o de t Se Res ., at 13. a h. e p He e,abaa eoft i e e t tpsi f vorofa yi Fl r lnc he nt r s s i n a ppl ng ordalw .Appl ng Fl i i a yi orda lw t Pl ntfs cli swoul notco r ve M is ' polc i e ess l Pl ntfspr vai a o ai if ' am d nta ne s omi s iy nt r t . f ai if e l , t bee vedpes ns-i l ng( sbl La he ra ro ncudi posi y) ndonCla a woul becompensat d f e velnd d e or - Defnda t a lge y uns f pr c iesa De enda swoul b e n s' le dl a e a tc nd f nt d ede e r d fom ha mf c t re r r ul onduc t i t f ur M or ove , a no e pr vi l t oft ei De e nt n he ut e. e r s t d e ousy, wo he ght f nda s , a Uni Va tons ha t i prncpalpl c ofbusnes i Fl i nd que ca i , ve her i i ae i s n orda . Hos t lt Pur e s piaiy v yor Ther m a ni e i ng Def nt - i udi Sa s whi h hasas l sofie i t sa e- c enda s ncl ng ndal , c a e fc n he t t onduc busnes i t i sn Fl i .Unde t s c r um sa es Fl i ' i e essi e urng t tada a sa r i not orda r he e ic tnc , orda s ntr t n ns i ha m ge wa d s e e svea ns isown domi iir de e nt woul bea nce i t xc s i gai t t cla y f nda s d dva d f h eCour a isFl i t pple orda lw .Se Wal e v Par s Gr Hotl Lt , a e kr . adie and e, d.2003W L 21 662a *3(oncudi t t 361 t c l ng hathe f c t tt def ntha busne stesi Fl i wass f a t ha he enda d i s i n orda ufi cintt tea i a adomi iir e o r tt s c la y d fn a tfrp r osso tec n lc o lwsa ay i) ee d n o u p e f h o fit f a n lss . b. Re i ngf t sunders ci 6( mani acor e ton 2) Ther s l i n ofac lc - -a pr blm s d t u t ha m oni r l tons e o uto onfi tofl ws o e houl t rher r f ous e a i be we n sa e a .., f ciia ec me ca i e c s be we n t m t e t t s nd a ltt om r il nt r our e t e he ' s.j6c . l tad 'Ret mtd. nse . oftlng s ti M is r, Pli if c et fl t sl ws ti aFl i f um ag ns s ve li ui n s ou i a ntfs hos o ie hi a ui n orda or ai t e r al De e nt who c f nda s onduc busnes i Fl i a i vi cai t ta ef ly r ogni d a t i s n orda nd nvol ng l ms ha r ul ec ze nd we ls tld unde Fl i l w . U nde t s f ct , t r wo d beno d s e i ei pac on t l-e te r orda a r he e a s he e ul i c m bl m t he i ert t s t m i t Cour a isFl i lw . nt sae yse f he t pple orda a Si lry t fco slse i s cin 6 2 ( )a d( c eni t Pa tes j tte mial,he a tr itd n e to s ( )d n 9 onc r ng he ri 'usii d - expe ttonsa t c rant , pr dit biiy,a unior iy oft r s t ca i nd he e ti y e c a lt nd f m t he e ul - do nots uppor t t he a i ai ifM i s ilw $l i r r y t caset tpartesi at ts t pplc ton s our a tt s a el he ha i n or ui es i l whe t pecaly n he . - ij r i u itn e -plu il c nag et t h ypo s se j tfed expecatonsconcem i nu y s nn e d d a sby a r u ha t e se s d usii t i ng t lw t bea i t t s torplnne t i c he a o ppled o he ui a d her o d c a c r igt a u id ci n sd ma e n u t c o dn o j rs ito ' a g s l m ' Pi a ' amba Core , 1 F. a 1 . The e i no i c ton wha s ve t tVa Ho s ts 77 3d t 302 r s ndi a i toe r ha n y' de ii t ta t t Ba ma wa m a wih t e c son o r vel o he ha s s de t he x peca i t tM i s is o an ot r tton ha s our' , r y he j s ito swr n f d ahlws woul gover hi s vi s'cli i t eventofan midcin' o gul e t a , d n s ur vor a ms n he ac i t The ef e t sf c o bea sltl sgnik a e on t c c cden . r or , hi a t r r ite i t nc he hoi e of l a l i . -aw na ys s Ast t polcesunde l ng t fed oft tl w , t choie- -a anaysswei o he i i ryi he i l or a he c oflw l i ghs si hty i f vorofa yi M is ilw . The Re t t m e ti n ii t pa tculri e e t lg l n a ppl ng s our a sa e n de tfes wo ri a nt r s s t ryi t fel oft r l t pr son ofc mde l ng he i d o t aw: he ovii ompens t ai o f rij r dv ci a dte n o nu e itms n h dee r nceoft tousc tre ori onduc . Re t j1 c . Bae o Plitfs fl gs t s. 45 mtb. s d n anif' i n , M isour' s is wr u deah da a s he ei m o ege r t n Fl i a' bec us i alowss vi st ongf l t m ges c m s r ne ous ha ord s a e t l ur vor o r cove f pan a s f rng i ur e b t dec de bewee e r or i nd ufe i nc r d y he e nt t nt tmeoft ij ya de t he i he n ur nd ah. Sees pr a 9. The ef r a yi M is il w mi htpotntaly pr d u a t r o e, ppl ng s our a g e i l ovi e gr a e co pe a i e t r m ns ton t Pl ntfs Ho o ai if . weve , o b ln e g v nt th mao i o t s cin6 2 f co ss p r te r n aa c , i e ha te j rt f he e to 4 ) a tr u po th y a iaton ofFl i lw , t si i ufii ntt tp t baa ei M i s isf vo pplc i orda a hi s ns fc e o i he lnc n s our' a r . La ty teS cin6 2 ( )fco rg r igtee s o a plc to o telw t b a i d sl,h e to ( )g a tr e a dn h a e f p iain f h a o e pple de e v sltl wei . Fl i lw i ea iy a es i e t bot t Co ta t P s r e ite ght orda a s sl cc sbl o h he ur nd he a tes whih ri , c wih t e pto ofUni Va a i t he xce i n que c tons a e alr pr s nt d by Fl i c r l e ee e orda ouns l The e or e. r f e, - c i rngt r e ntRe tt m onsde i he elva sa e e f t s a t ki i o c i r ton t tFl nt acor , nd a ng nt onsde ai ha orda' con a t i s tcs wih t sca ea ecompa a i t hi s r r tvel y g e t t n M is is t Co twila y Fl i l w t r aer ha s our', he ur l ppl orda a o Pl i if 'cl ms antfs ai . 1 V. Concl i uson Ba e on t f r goi , i i s d he o e ng t s ORDERED t t ha : De enda sPe ai W ae Pooland Spa l f nt nt r tr , nc . a St lieI ti LLC' nd a-tt ndusres S M otont Dee ne Choie ofL i o tnni c a g 1 3 i DENI t t ee e t fnd nt r ques t t w DE- 7 J s ED o h xtn Dee a s e t ha t lw oft Ba masbe a id. he a he ha pple De e ntSanda sRes tI e n ai l Lt f nda l or nt r t ona , d ' M o i t Detr i Choie of s ton o e m ne c . La ( 1 9 i DENI t t ee tn De e d w DE- 7 ) s ED o h x e t fn a sr ue tt tt lw oft Ba nt eq s ha he a he hama be s a id. pple De e nt Uni Va atons l a Hos t lt Pur yor f nda s que c i nc. nd pia iy ve s , , J id r( 1 5 , o sr e a amo int j i i GRANTED on e DE- 7 ) c n tu d s to o on, s 4. l ' Notc of nc.s i e . De e ntSCP Diti o f nda srbut r, s LLC' No ieo J id rg 1 6 , consruedasa S tc f on e DE- 7 ) t moint j i,sGRANTED to o on i . Fl rdal w s l a yt bot t la lt and da a scl msa is o i a ha l ppl o h he ibiiy m ge ai t s uei t s n hi Case. DONE a ORDERED i nd n M i m j J j , ti ; a qor da hs zl c c: > d yo De e e, 2013. a f cmb r ' PA TR I A A . SEI CI TZ UN I TED STA TES DI STR I T J D GE C U C ouns lofR e or e c d 13
]]>
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You
should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
