Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Appellant, v. Mary SCOTT, et al., Appellees.
Allstate Insurance Company appeals from a final judgment entered pursuant to a jury verdict in favor of its insured, Mary Scott, on her uninsured motorist claim. Allstate raises two issues, one concerning the propriety of the granting of a directed verdict in favor of Scott on the issue of comparative negligence and the other relating to the court's refusal to allow a setoff for PIP benefits. We affirm in part and reverse in part.
The entry of the directed verdict is affirmed. The evidence established, without contradiction, that the sole cause of the accident was the tortfeasor's act of suddenly and unexpectedly turning left into Scott's pathway. See Emmer v. Perez, 757 So.2d 612 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000).
The denial of a setoff, however, was reversible error. Allstate raised as an affirmative defense its entitlement to a collateral source setoff for PIP benefits paid to Scott by her PIP carrier. The trial court should have conducted a post-trial collateral source hearing to address the issue of a PIP setoff from the damage award contained in the verdict. See § 768.76(1), Fla.Stat. Scott's contention that Allstate was required to introduce evidence of PIP benefit payments during the course of the jury trial is incorrect. See §§ 627.736(3), Fla.Stat., 768.76(1), Fla.Stat. We remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; AND REMANDED.
COBB, J.
PETERSON and PALMER, JJ., concur.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Docket No: No. 5D00-1631.
Decided: January 05, 2001
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida,Fifth District.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)