Steadman v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co.

Summary

The Florida Supreme Court reviewed a decision concerning whether an insured could maintain a tort claim based on an insurer's delay in paying workers' compensation benefits. Relying on Aguilera v. Inservices, Inc., the court quashed the Second District's decision and remanded for reconsideration, while expressly declining to reach the merits or determine whether a valid cause of action existed. Justice Wells, joined by Justice Bell, dissented and would have affirmed or discharged jurisdiction.

Holdings

1. Because the Second District's decision relied on Inservices, Inc. v. Aguilera and the Supreme Court subsequently quashed that decision in Aguilera v. Inservices, Inc., the Second District's decision is quashed and the case is remanded for reconsideration under Aguilera.
2. The Supreme Court did not reach the merits and expressed no opinion on whether Steadman stated a valid cause of action.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Second District's decision should be reconsidered in light of the Florida Supreme Court's intervening decision in Aguilera v. Inservices, Inc.
2. Whether the Supreme Court should reach the merits of whether Steadman stated a valid cause of action in tort.

Disposition

quashed