Supreme Court of Florida

An insured has standing to bring a breach of contract action against an insurer, where the insurer refuses to pay medical expenses but the insured has incurred no out-of-pocket expenses, the medical provider has not brought a collection action, and the policy contains a "defend and indemnify" provision should such action ensue.

Appellate Information

• Decided 04/03/2003
• Published 04/03/2003

Judges

• QUINCE, J.

Court

• Supreme Court of Florida

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Yancey F. Langston and Charles F. Beall, Jr. of Moore, Hill & Westmoreland, P.A., Pensacola, FL, and Peter J. Valeta of Ross & Hardies, Chicago, IL, on behalf of Allstate Insurance Company;  and Tony Griffith and Timothy M. Ingram of Tanney Eno, Tanney, Griffith & Ingram, P.A., Clearwater, FL, on behalf of Veron Caravakis, Petitioners., David B. Shelton and Candy L. Messersmith of Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, Orlando, FL, for National Association of Independent Insurers, Amicus Curiae., Julie H. Littky-Rubin of Lytal, Reiter, Clark, Fountain & Williams, LLP, West Palm Beach, FL, for the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Amicus Curiae.


• For Appellees:
  
• David Lee Sellers, Pensacola, FL, on behalf of Keely Kaklamanos;  and Anthony J. Parrino of Reynolds & Stowell, P.A., and Peter J. Valeta of Ross & Hardies, Chicago, IL, on behalf of Allstate Indemnity Company, Respondents.