The Eleventh Circuit applied Florida law and the preemption provisions of the federal Medical Device Amendments of 1976, 21 U.S.C. § 360c et seq., to reverse the district court’s dismissal of some, but not all, of a plaintiff’s claims against the manufacturer of a hip-replacement device. Mink v. Smith & Nephew, Inc., 2017 WL 2723913…
Author: Valerie Sanders
Preclusive Effect of Engle Findings Against Tobacco Cases Does Not Violate Due Process
In a 7-3 decision, the Eleventh Circuit sitting en banc declined to overrule Walker v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 734 F.3d 1278 (11th Cir. 2013), and held (again) that a jury’s negligence and strict liability findings in the Engle class action against tobacco companies may be given preclusive effect in follow-on individual cases without violating…
When Choosing a Policy with a “Prior Acts” Exclusion, Buyer Beware
Bank directors ended up with no insurance coverage in Zucker v. U.S. Specialty Insurance Co., 2017 WL 2115414 (11th Cir. May 16, 2017). The Eleventh Circuit, applying Florida law, applied a “prior acts” exclusion from D&O coverage to allegedly fraudulent transfers which were made after the policy’s inception date but which arose out of bank…
When Confirming Diversity of Citizenship, Trust—but Verify
In Purchasing Power, LLC v. Bluestem Brands, Inc., 2017 WL 1046103 (11th Cir. Mar. 20, 2017), the Eleventh Circuit reminded litigants and their counsel that it is critical to confirm the citizenship of all relevant corporate entities in determining the existence of diversity jurisdiction, but reversed the district judge’s order imposing “inherent power” sanctions on…
The Second Time’s a Charm: Jury Deliberations Resume After Partial Delivery of Inconsistent Verdict
Wright Medical Technology, Inc., appealed from a $2,100,000 judgment entered against it following a jury trial, arguing that the jury had been improperly instructed as a matter of Utah law and also that the district judge should not have ordered the jury to continue deliberations after the deputy clerk began to read what turned out…
Appeal Dismissed Under Spokeo
Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, 136 S. Ct. 1540 (2016), established that an alleged violation of a statutory right, standing alone, does not necessarily confer Article III standing to bring a claim in federal court. Reaction to the decision continues to evolve. In the latest case from the Eleventh Circuit, the court dismissed an appeal for…
“Surrender” Means “Surrender” – A Debtor Who Surrenders Collateral in Bankruptcy Gives Up the Right to Oppose Foreclosure
David and Donna Failla filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in 2011. Shortly thereafter, the Faillas filed the “statement of intention” required by section 521(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to their house, which was subject to a mortgage held by Citibank. In the statement, the Faillas agreed to “surrender” the house instead of…
“Not an Insured” Defense Prevails Despite Absence of Prior Reservation of Rights
In an unpublished per curiam decision, Travelers Cas. & Surety Co. v. Stewart, the Eleventh Circuit rejected an argument that an insurance company was barred by the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision in Hoover v. Maxum Indem. Co., 730 S.E.2d 413 (Ga. 2012) from raising the defense that an individual was not an insured under the relevant…
A Confirmed Bankruptcy Plan is Final as to Domestic Support Obligations
The Bankruptcy Code, as amended by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (“BAPCPA”), provides an exception to the automatic stay, which generally prohibits collection activity against property of the estate, for “the withholding of income that is property of the estate or property of the debtor for payment of a domestic…
Insurers May Be Liable for Double Damages for Failure to Reimburse Other Insurers Acting as “Medicare Advantage Organizations”
A divided panel of the Eleventh Circuit has joined the Third Circuit in holding that not only the government, but also a private insurer acting as a Medicare Advantage Organization (“MAO”), has a right of action for double damages when a primary payer fails to reimburse the MAO for payments the MAO has made. The…