REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY USA v. KAPLAN ESTATE OF KAPLAN (2022)

ON REMAND FROM THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

In R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Kaplan (Kaplan I), 321 So. 3d 267 (Fla. 4th DCA 2021), we affirmed as to R.J. Reynolds' argument that punitive damages were barred by section 768.73, Florida Statutes, based on our previous decision in R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Konzelman, 248 So. 3d 134 (Fla. 4th DCA 2018). 321 So. 3d at 269 n.1. In Konzelman, we concluded that the pre-1999 version of section 768.73, Florida Statutes, applies in an Engle ¹ progeny personal injury suit that is converted into a wrongful death action upon the smoker's death. 248 So. 3d at 135.

In R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Kaplan (Kaplan II), SC21-1029, 2022 WL 500293 (Fla. Feb. 18, 2022), our supreme court quashed Kaplan I and remanded with instructions for reconsideration upon application of its decision in Sheffield v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 329 So. 3d 114 (Fla. 2021). In Sheffield, our supreme court disapproved of our decision in Konzelman and held that the 1999 amendments to section 768.73 apply to Engle progeny wrongful death actions in which the decedent died after October 1, 1999. 329 So. 3d at 125.

Based on Sheffield, we reverse and remand to the trial court for application of the amended version of section 768.73 in determining the punitive damage award as required by Sheffield.

Reversed and remanded with instructions.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Engle v. Liggett Grp., Inc., 945 So. 2d 1246 (Fla. 2006).

Per Curiam.

Conner, C.J., Forst and Klingensmith, JJ., concur.