446 So. 2d 228 | Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | 1984
Appellant, Bryant, appeals an order denying her motion to set aside a notice of voluntary dismissal, contending the court erred in concluding it was bound, by Randle-Eastern Ambulance Service, Inc. v. Vasta, 360 So.2d 68 (Fla.1978), to deny the requested relief. We disagree with Bryant’s contention and affirm.
Bryant filed a wrongful death action in 1981 against appellees Muldrow and Anderson. She later added, as defendants, appel-lees Sav-A-Stop and Jessco. On February 18, 1983, Bryant’s attorney, intent on dismissing Jessco only, filed a notice of voluntary dismissal, pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.420(a)(l)(i), which states simply that Bryant “dismisses this cause of action without prejudice.” (e.s.) The obvious error was discovered in March, and Bryant immediately filed her motion for relief from the voluntary dismissal citing, as grounds therefor, mistake, inadvertence or excusable neglect. The trial court, finding it was constrained to follow Randle and this court’s opinion in Carolina Casualty Co. v. General Truck Equipment & Trailer Sales, Inc., 407 So.2d 1095 (Fla. 1st DCA 1982), applying Randle, denied relief.
Because we, like the trial court, are bound to follow the Florida Supreme Court’s dictate in Randle, see Nolan v. Altman, 449 So.2d 898 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984), we AFFIRM the trial court’s denial of Bryant’s motion for relief from the voluntary dismissal. Pursuant to Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.030(a)(2)(A)(v), however, we certify the following question to the Florida Supreme Court as being of great public importance:
WHETHER FLA.R.CIV.P. L540(b)(l) MAY BE USED TO AFFORD RELIEF TO A PARTY WHO, FOR REASONS OF MISTAKE, INADVERTENCE, SURPRISE OR EXCUSABLE NEGLECT, TAKES A VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE PURSUANT TO FLA.R.CIV.P. 1.420(a)(1)® AS TO AN ENTIRE CAUSE OF ACTION WHEN SUCH VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL WAS INTENDED TO DISMISS ONLY ONE OF MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS.
AFFIRMED.