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.
WINN-DIXIE STORES, INC., Petitioner, v. Peggy FREELAND and Tommy Freeland, Respondents.
In this slip and fall case, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. petitions for certiorari review of the lower court's order granting discovery of Winn-Dixie's incident report. We grant the petition and hold that the incident report is privileged work product. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. v. Nakutis, 435 So.2d 307 (Fla. 5th DCA 1983), rev. denied, 446 So.2d 100 (Fla.1984). Production of incident reports prepared in anticipation of litigation can only be compelled after a showing of need and inability to obtain the substantial equivalent without undue hardship.
In the instant case, the lower court entered its order compelling production even before the respondents argued they had a need for the report and that an undue hardship existed. Accordingly, we grant certiorari review and quash the order of the trial court granting discovery of Winn-Dixie's incident report.
PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI GRANTED.
COBB, J.
ANTOON, C.J. and PETERSON, J., concur.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Docket No: No. 99-1502.
Decided: September 24, 1999
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)