Nick DiLorenzo and Cheryl Dilorenzo, Appellants, v. Kevin Lam, D.P.M. and Family Foot and Leg Center, Appellees. (2017)

Nick and Cheryl DiLorenzo appeal from the nonfinal order compelling arbitration of their medical malpractice claims against Kevin Lam, D.P.M. We agree with the DiLorenzos that the arbitration agreement at issue is unenforceable because, as explained by the supreme court in Franks v. Bowers, 116 So.3d 1240, 1248 (Fla. 2013), it “seeks to enjoy the benefits of the arbitration provisions under the [Medical Malpractice Act ¹ ]” without adopting all its provisions. Specifically, as did the agreement in Franks, the agreement here incorporates the statutory cap on damages without also adopting the concession of liability provision of the Act. Further, for the same reasons Franks concluded the provision at issue in that case was not severable, we conclude that the provision here is likewise not severable. See id. at 1248–49. Accordingly, we reverse the order compelling arbitration and remand this case to the trial court for further proceedings.

Reversed and remanded.

FOOTNOTES

1.   See chapter 766, Fla. Stat. (2014).

KELLY, Judge.

WALLACE and SALARIO, JJ., Concur.