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R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY, Appellant, v. Ross DUBINS, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Josephine Dubins, Appellee.
Affirmed. See LEA Indus., Inc. v. Raelyn Int'l Inc., 363 So. 2d 49, 52 (Fla. 3d DCA 1978) (“[I]t lies within the trial court's discretion to determine whether admission of ․ business records is justified.”); Jackson v. Household Fin. Corp. III, 236 So. 3d 1170, 1172 (Fla. 2d DCA 2018), approved, 298 So. 3d 531, 535-36 (Fla. 2020) (“A party can lay a foundation for the business records exception in three ways: (1) offering testimony of a records custodian, (2) presenting a certification or declaration that each of the elements has been satisfied, or (3) obtaining a stipulation of admissibility”; and “once the proponent lays the predicate for admission of documents set forth in the statute and reflected in our case law, ‘the burden shifts to the opposing party to prove that the records are untrustworthy’ ”) (additional quotation omitted); see also § 90.803(3)(a) Fla. Stat. (2023) (providing the following exception to the hearsay rule: “(3) Then-existing mental, emotional, or physical condition.-- (a) A statement of the declarant's then-existing state of mind, emotion, or physical sensation, including a statement of intent, plan, motive, design, mental feeling, pain, or bodily health, when such evidence is offered to: 1. Prove the declarant's state of mind, emotion, or physical sensation at that time or at any other time when such state is an issue in the action. 2. Prove or explain acts of subsequent conduct of the declarant.”); Lorillard Tobacco Co. v. Alexander, 123 So. 3d 67 (Fla. 3d DCA 2013).
PER CURIAM.
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Docket No: No. 3D23-1031
Decided: February 26, 2025
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
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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.
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