Bill Kasper Construction Co. v. Morrison
2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 9199
| Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | 2012Background
- KCC sought a writ of certiorari to review a trial court order striking its amended witness list.
- This is a personal injury action arising from injuries at a residential construction site.
- Trial was repeatedly continued; the last continuance order barred further discovery.
- KCC filed three new expert witnesses on the amended list; respondents moved to strike it.
- The trial court granted the motion to strike after a hearing.
- The Fifth District denied certiorari relief, aligning with precedent that post-judgment appeal remedies are adequate.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether certiorari lies to review a non-final order striking a witness | KCC | Respondents | No certiorari; adequate plenary appeal exists |
| Whether denial of discovery or exclusion of testimony creates irreparable harm warranting certiorari | KCC | Respondents | Majority: generally no irreparable harm; remedy on appeal available |
| Whether the court should overrule Premark/Heathrow/Travelers on certiorari in discovery/exclusion contexts | KCC | Respondents | Court recedes from those where inconsistent; certiorari not warranted here |
Key Cases Cited
- Ali Investments, Inc. v. First American Title Insurance, 929 So.2d 1154 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006) (harm remediable on final appeal; no certiorari)
- Sardinas v. Lagares, 805 So.2d 1024 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001) (no certiorari review of witness-striking order)
- Premark International, Inc. v. Pierson, 823 So.2d 859 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002) (quashed order striking sole expert witness)
- Heathrow Master Ass’n v. Zulia, 52 So.3d 811 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011) (quashed order striking expert witness)
- Travelers Indem. Co. v. Hill, 388 So.2d 648 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980) (irreparable harm concept; certiorari limits)
- Cooper v. Lewis, 719 So.2d 944 (Fla. 5th DCA 1998) (review of strike decisions on direct appeal)
- Brinkerhoff v. Linkous, 528 So.2d 1318 (Fla. 5th DCA 1988) (pretrial rulings reviewable on appeal)
- Power Plant Entm’t, LLC v. Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Dev. Co., 958 So.2d 565 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007) (certiorari not available from denial of discovery)
- Neeley v. CW Roberts Contracting, Inc., 948 So.2d 844 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007) (discovery denials generally not reviewable by certiorari)
- Chavarria v. Bautista, 922 So.2d 245 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006) (denial of discovery not certiorari)
- Gownley v. GTE Prods. Carp., 587 So.2d 455 (Fla. 1991) (preservation vs. harmlessness; discovery errors)
- Special v. Baux, 79 So.3d 755 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011) (discovery error harmlessness burden on beneficiary)