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MERCEDES AFONSO, AS SURVIVING SPOUSE AND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ALEXIS AFONSO, DECEASED vs LIFEMARK HOSPITALS OF FLORIDA, INC., D/B/A PALMETTO GENERAL HOSPITAL, 06-003916MA (2006)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 06-003916MA Visitors: 5
Petitioner: MERCEDES AFONSO, AS SURVIVING SPOUSE AND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF ALEXIS AFONSO, DECEASED
Respondent: LIFEMARK HOSPITALS OF FLORIDA, INC., D/B/A PALMETTO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Judges: LINDA M. RIGOT
Agency: Medical Arbitration
Locations: Miami, Florida
Filed: Oct. 10, 2006
Status: Closed
DOAH Final Order on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

Latest Update: Aug. 12, 2009
Summary: Amended arbitration award to reflect opinion of Third District that wrongful death damages prevail over itemized damages in medical malpractice arbitration statute where wrongful death results from the medical incident.
STATE OF FLORIDA

STATE OF FLORIDA

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS


MERCEDES AFONSO, AS SURVIVING

)




SPOUSE AND PERSONAL

)




REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF

)




ALEXIS AFONSO, DECEASED,

)





)




Claimant,

)





)




vs.

)

Case

No.

06-3916MA


)




LIFEMARK HOSPITALS OF FLORIDA,

)




INC., d/b/a PALMETTO GENERAL

)




HOSPITAL,

)





)




Defendant.

)




)





AMENDED ARBITRATION AWARD


On June 1, 2007, an Arbitration Award was entered in this cause following the arbitration hearing conducted on May 30, 2007. On August 22, 2007, a Supplemental Arbitration Award was entered as to the amount of attorney's fees and costs to be paid to the Claimant's attorney, in accordance with an agreement reached by the parties.

On March 11, 2009, the Third District Court of Appeal issued its opinion setting aside a portion of the Arbitration Award. Pursuant to that Opinion and the Mandate issued

March 27, 2009, the arbitration hearing in this cause was re- convened on June 30, 2009, before Linda M. Rigot, Chief

Arbitrator; Richard P. Cole, Arbitrator; and Gary D. Fox, Arbitrator, in Miami, Florida.

APPEARANCES


For Claimant: Charles H. Baumberger, Esquire

Lincoln J. Connolly, Esquire Rossman, Baumberger & Reboso, P.A.

44 West Flagler Street, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33130-1808


For Defendant: Norman M. Waas, Esquire

Glenn P. Falk, Esquire

Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon & Bonner, P.A.

Two Alhambra Plaza Suite 750 Coral Gables, Florida 33134


The August 22, 2007, Supplemental Arbitration Award and the June 1, 2007, Arbitration Award are adopted and ratified in their entirety except that the award for loss of earning capacity is deleted and loss of support and loss of net accumulations are now included in the award. At the conclusion of the re-convened arbitration hearing, the amended award was announced on the record as follows:

Non-economic damages


Loss of services

$ 250,000

Past

15,762

Future

132,358

Loss of support

394,766

Loss of net accumulations

109,607


Total award $ 902,493

Since the Defendant has previously paid the amount of


$799,258 to the Claimant pursuant to the June 1, 2007, Arbitration Award although this cause was on appeal, the balance remaining to be paid to the Claimant pursuant to this Amended Arbitration Award is $103,235.

Defendant has agreed to pay the amount of $5,000 each to Arbitrators Cole and Fox as their arbitrator's fee for the re- convened hearing.

By agreement of the parties, Defendant shall also pay the amount of $5,000 toward Dr. Raffa's fee for his testimony at the re-convened hearing.

DONE AND ORDERED this 1st day of July, 2009, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.


S

LINDA M. RIGOT, Chief Arbitrator Administrative Law Judge

Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building

1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060

(850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675

Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us


Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 1st day of July, 2009.

COPIES FURNISHED:


Norman M. Waas, Esquire

Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon & Bonner, P.A.

Two Alhambra Plaza Suite 750 Coral Gables, Florida 33134


Charles H. Baumberger, Esquire Rossman, Baumberger & Reboso, P.A.

44 West Flagler Street, Suite 2300 Miami, Florida 33130-1808


Gary D. Fox, Esquire

Stewart, Tilghman, Fox & Bianchi, P.A. One Southeast Third Avenue, Suite 3000 Miami, Florida 33131-1764


Richard P. Cole, Esquire Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. 9150 South Dadeland Boulevard

14th Floor - Dadeland Centre II Miami, Florida 33156


Docket for Case No: 06-003916MA
Issue Date Proceedings
Aug. 12, 2009 Notice of Filing Satisfaction of Amended Arbitration Award filed.
Aug. 12, 2009 Satisfaction of Amended Arbitration Award and Joint Stipulation That Same is Without Prejudice to Pending Request for Review of the Third District Court of Appeal's Decision in the Supreme Court of Florida filed.
Jul. 01, 2009 Amended Arbitration Award (hearing held June 30, 2009). CASE CLOSED.
Jun. 30, 2009 CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
Jun. 30, 2009 CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
Jun. 11, 2009 Second Amended Notice of Arbitration Hearing (hearing set for June 30, 2009; 9:30 a.m.; Miami, FL; amended as to hearing room location).
Jun. 10, 2009 Letter to Judge Rigot from L. Llorca regarding Parties' agreed upon available date for hearing filed.
May 20, 2009 Amended Notice of Arbitration Hearing (hearing set for June 30, 2009; 9:30 a.m.; Miami, FL; amended as to date of hearing).
May 15, 2009 Letter to Judge Rigot from G. Fox regarding available date for mediation filed.
May 15, 2009 Letter to Judge Rigot from L. Llorca advising that G. Fox is unavailable for the date of June 8, 2009 filed.
May 15, 2009 Notice of Re-convened Arbitration Hearing (hearing set for June 8, 2009; 9:30 a.m.; Miami, FL).
May 14, 2009 Letter to Judeg Rigot from N. Waas regarding available dates for hearing filed.
May 14, 2009 Letter to Judge Rigot from C. Baumberger regarding available dates to reconvene filed.
May 12, 2009 Letter to Judge Rigot from L. Llorca regarding status of case filed.
Apr. 13, 2009 Order Granting Extension of Time.
Apr. 10, 2009 Agreed Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Order Requiring Available Dates for Reconvening filed.
Apr. 02, 2009 Order Re-opening File and Requiring Available Dates for Reconvening. CASE REOPENED.
Apr. 01, 2009 Opinion filed.
Apr. 01, 2009 Mandate filed.
Jan. 26, 2009 THIRD DCA ORDER: the court`s mandate is recalled.
Jan. 14, 2009 Opinion filed.
Jan. 14, 2009 Mandate filed.
Dec. 17, 2007 Notice of Change of Address filed.
Nov. 19, 2007 Index, Record, and Certificate of Record sent to the District Court of Appeal.
Oct. 11, 2007 Notice of Filing Partial Satisfaction of Arbitration Award of June 1, 2007 filed.
Oct. 11, 2007 Notice of Filing Satisfaction of Arbitration Attorneys` Fees and Costs Award of August 22, 2007 filed.
Sep. 04, 2007 Notice of Unavailability filed.
Aug. 28, 2007 Invoice for the record on appeal mailed.
Aug. 27, 2007 Index (of the Record) sent to the parties of record.
Aug. 27, 2007 Transcript filed.
Aug. 27, 2007 Designation to Reporter and Reporter`s Acknowledgment filed.
Aug. 22, 2007 Supplemental Arbitration Award. CASE CLOSED.
Aug. 22, 2007 Letter to Judge Rigot from C. Baumberger advising that parties have settled attorney`s fees and cost issue filed.
Aug. 16, 2007 Letter to N. Waas from C. Baumberger enclosing copies of billing records filed.
Aug. 08, 2007 Letter to R. Cole and G. Fox from Ruth Gordon regarding copies of pleadings that were not sent filed.
Aug. 07, 2007 Order Affording Final Opportunity.
Aug. 07, 2007 CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held.
Aug. 07, 2007 CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held.
Jul. 24, 2007 Notice of Telephonic Conference (conference set for August 7, 2007; 10:00 a.m.).
Jul. 23, 2007 Defendant`s Response to Order Granting Motion to Strike and Establishing Procedure for Resolving Plaintiff`s Fees and Costs Issue filed.
Jul. 13, 2007 Order Granting Motion to Strike and Establishing Procedure for Resolving Claimant`s Attorney`s Fees and Costs Issue.
Jul. 09, 2007 Claimant`s Response to Defendant`s Motion to Strike Mention of Settlement Offer filed.
Jul. 09, 2007 Claimant`s Response to Defendant`s Objection to Claimant`s Request for Production with Incorporate Memorandum of Law filed.
Jul. 09, 2007 Claimant`s Supplemental Response to Defendant`s Seventh Request for Production Served June 15,2007 filed.
Jun. 28, 2007 Defendant Lifemark`s Response to Claimant`s Reply Regarding Motion for Attorney`s Fees filed.
Jun. 28, 2007 Defendant Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital`s Response to Claimant`s Objection to Defendant`s Seventh Request for Production Served June 15, 2007 filed.
Jun. 28, 2007 Defendant Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital`s Motion to Strike any Mention of Defendant`s Prior Settlement Offer filed.
Jun. 28, 2007 Designation to Reporter and Reporter`s Acknowledgment filed.
Jun. 28, 2007 Directions to Clerk filed.
Jun. 26, 2007 Claimant`s Notice of Filing Defendant`s Response to Request for Production filed.
Jun. 21, 2007 Acknowledgment of New Case, DCA Case No. 3D07-1530 filed.
Jun. 20, 2007 Notice of Filing Depositions in Opposition to Motion for Attorney`s Fees.
Jun. 19, 2007 Claimant`s Reply to Lifemark`s Response to Claimant`s Motion for Attorney`s Fees filed.
Jun. 19, 2007 Claimant`s Response to Defendant`s Seventh Request for Production Served June 15, 2007, filed.
Jun. 18, 2007 Notice of Appeal filed by P. Perry and N. Waas; Certified copy sent to the Third District Court of Appeal this date.
Jun. 15, 2007 Lifemark Hospital`s Request for Production to Claimant filed.
Jun. 15, 2007 Defendant Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital`s Objection to Claimant`s Request for Production with Incorporated Memorandum of Law filed.
Jun. 15, 2007 Defendant Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital`s Response to Claimant`s Motion for Attorney`s Fees and Costs filed.
Jun. 12, 2007 Letter to Judge Rigot from N. Waas regarding available dates filed.
Jun. 11, 2007 Letter to Judge Rigot from C. Baumberger regarding not being able to agree on attorneys` fees and costs issue filed.
Jun. 11, 2007 Claimant`s Response to Defendant Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital`s Request for Production filed.
Jun. 11, 2007 Claimant`s Request to Produce to Defendant Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc., d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital filed.
Jun. 07, 2007 Lifemark Hospital`s Request for Production to Calimant filed.
Jun. 05, 2007 CASE REOPENED.
Jun. 05, 2007 Affidavit of Charles H. Baumberger filed.
Jun. 05, 2007 Motion for Attorneys` Fees and Costs filed.
Jun. 01, 2007 Arbitration Award (hearing held May 30, 2007). CASE CLOSED.
May 30, 2007 Lifemark`s Notice of Proffer of Wrongful Death Damages filed w/judge at arbitration hearing.
May 29, 2007 Order Granting Claimant`s Motion in Limine.
May 29, 2007 Letter to Judge Rigot from N. Waas regarding room for arbitrations filed.
May 25, 2007 Palmetto General Hospital`s Response to Claimant`s Motion in Limine Regarding Annuity Expert`s Anticipated Testimony filed.
May 25, 2007 Letter to Mr. Baumberger from G. Falk regarding attorney fees filed.
May 25, 2007 Claimant`s Disclosure of Exhibits filed.
May 25, 2007 Notice of Telephonic Hearing filed.
May 24, 2007 Claimant`s Motion in Limine Regarding Defendant`s Annuity Expert`s Anticipated Testimony at Arbitration Proceedings filed.
May 24, 2007 Claimant`s Notice of Serving Courtesy Copy of Order Determinig Scope of Recoverable Economic Damages filed.
May 23, 2007 Objection to Claimant`s Request to Produce at Commencement of Arbitration filed.
May 23, 2007 Letter to Judge Rigot from C. Baumberger regarding no changes at this time to the joint pre-hearing stipulation filed.
May 18, 2007 Claimant`s Request to Produce at Commencement of Arbitration to Defendant Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc.d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital filed.
May 15, 2007 Second Amended Notice of Taking Update Deposition Duces Tecum (Amended at the request of Dr. Raffa) filed.
Apr. 30, 2007 Notice of Filing Certification of Potential Arbitrator filed.
Apr. 30, 2007 Claimant`s Designation of Arbitrator filed.
Apr. 27, 2007 Order on Pending Motions.
Apr. 25, 2007 Claimant`s Agreed Motion to Correct Style and Docket filed.
Apr. 20, 2007 Claimant`s Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Defendant`s Motion for Reconsideration filed.
Apr. 20, 2007 Amended Notice of Taking Updated Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Apr. 13, 2007 Palmetto General Hospital`s, Motion for Reconsideration Defendant`s, Palmetto General Hospital, Motion for Reconsideration filed.
Apr. 12, 2007 Lifemark`s Notice of Compliance with Request for Copies of Records filed.
Apr. 12, 2007 Lifemark`s Notice of Compliance with Request for Copies of Records filed.
Apr. 05, 2007 Re-Notice of Taking Update Telephone Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Mar. 29, 2007 Certification of Potential Arbitrator Pursuant to 60Q-3.007(2) Florida Administrative Rules filed.
Mar. 29, 2007 Notice of Filing Certification of Potential Arbitrator filed.
Mar. 27, 2007 Re-Notice of Taking Update Telephone Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Mar. 27, 2007 Palmetto General Hospital`s, Motion to Determine the Scope of Recoverable Economic Damages filed.
Mar. 27, 2007 Notice of Taking Updated Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Mar. 26, 2007 Palmetto General Hospital`s Reply Memorandum in Support of It`s Motion to Determine the Scope of Recoverable Economic Damages filed.
Mar. 23, 2007 Notice of Taking Update Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Mar. 22, 2007 Order Determining Scope of Recoverable Economic Damages.
Mar. 20, 2007 Notice of Compliance with Request for Copies of Record filed.
Mar. 20, 2007 Lifemark Hospitals of Florida`s Designation of Arbitrator filed.
Mar. 20, 2007 Notice of Arbitration Hearing (hearing set for May 30 and 31, 2007; 9:30 a.m.; Miami, FL).
Mar. 19, 2007 Defendant`s Disclosure of Witnesses filed.
Mar. 19, 2007 Defendant`s Disclosure of Exhibits filed.
Mar. 16, 2007 Claimant`s Cross-Motion to Determine that Claimant is Entitled to Recover Loss of Future Earning Capacity and Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Defendant`s Motion to Determine the Scope of Recoverable Economic Damages filed.
Mar. 16, 2007 Joint Compliance with Order Granting Continuance filed.
Mar. 16, 2007 Letter to C. Baumberger from N. Waas regarding available dates for arbitration filed.
Mar. 09, 2007 Palmetto General Hospital`s Motion to Determine the Scope of Recoverable Economic Damages filed.
Mar. 08, 2007 Joint Pre-hearing Stipulation filed.
Mar. 08, 2007 Order Granting Continuance (parties to advise status by March 23, 2007).
Mar. 08, 2007 Letter to Judge Rigot from N. Waas regarding availability for arbitration filed.
Mar. 06, 2007 Notice of Taking Continued Telephone Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Mar. 05, 2007 Certificate of Non-objection filed.
Mar. 01, 2007 Defendant`s Motion for Continuance of Arbitration Hearing filed.
Mar. 01, 2007 Re-Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Feb. 28, 2007 Defendant`s Disclosure of Exhibits filed.
Feb. 27, 2007 Claimant`s Objection to Defendant`s Expert Bruce Debacher or in the Alternative Permission to Add Annuitist as an Expert for Claimant at the Arbitration Hearing filed.
Feb. 27, 2007 Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Feb. 27, 2007 Notice of Pre-Arbitration Hearing Conference filed.
Feb. 27, 2007 Claimant`s Response to Defendant`s Fourth Request for Production Served January 29, 2007 filed.
Feb. 27, 2007 Letter to Judge Rigot from N. Waas regarding witness list filed.
Feb. 13, 2007 Response to Claimant`s Objections to Palmetto General Hospital`s Fifth Request for Production filed.
Feb. 07, 2007 Claimant`s Objections to Defendant Palmetto General Hospital`s Fifth Request for Production filed.
Feb. 06, 2007 Claimant`s Request for Copies filed.
Feb. 01, 2007 Subpoena Duces Tecum Without Deposition (Related Companies) filed.
Feb. 01, 2007 Subpoena Duces Tecum Without Deposition (Countrywide) filed.
Feb. 01, 2007 Notice of Intent to Serve Subpoena for Production of Documents or Things Pursuant to Rule 1.351 filed.
Feb. 01, 2007 Fifth Request for Production to Plaintiff filed.
Jan. 29, 2007 Fourth Request for Produciton to Plaintiff filed.
Jan. 29, 2007 Defendant`s Disclosure of Witnesses filed.
Jan. 29, 2007 Subpoena Duces Tecum for Deposition filed.
Jan. 29, 2007 Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Jan. 23, 2007 Claimant`s Disclosure of Potential Witnesses Pursuant to January 3, 2007, Notice of Arbitration Hearing filed.
Jan. 10, 2007 Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Jan. 09, 2007 Order Granting Claimant`s Motion for Protective Order.
Jan. 04, 2007 Claimant`s Notice of Service of Supplemental Answer to Palmetto General Hospital`s Wrongful Death Interrogatories filed.
Jan. 03, 2007 Notice of Arbitration Hearing (hearing set for March 12 through 14, 2007; 9:30 a.m.; Miami, FL).
Dec. 27, 2006 Joint Compliance with Order Concerning Assessment Arbitration filed.
Dec. 22, 2006 Claimant`s Motion for Protective Order filed.
Dec. 20, 2006 Palmetto General Hospital of Florida, Inc.`s Notice of Compliance filed.
Dec. 18, 2006 Order Requiring Mutually-Available Dates (joint response shall be filed by January 2, 2007).
Dec. 14, 2006 Joint Compliance with Order Concerning Assessment Arbitration filed.
Dec. 14, 2006 Claimant`s Response to Defendant`s Request for Production Served November 30, 2006 filed.
Dec. 11, 2006 Certificate of Non-Objection filed.
Dec. 11, 2006 Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Dec. 11, 2006 Subpoena Duces Tecum for Deposition filed.
Dec. 08, 2006 Defendant, Palmetto General Hospital`s Answers to Claimant`s Interrogatoris filed.
Dec. 07, 2006 Claimant`s Request for Copies filed.
Dec. 06, 2006 Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
Dec. 06, 2006 Notice of Taking Deposition Testimony filed.
Dec. 01, 2006 Palmetto General Hospital`s Compliance with Order as to Assessment of Arbitration filed.
Dec. 01, 2006 Notice of Intent to Servce Subpoena for Production of Documents or Things Pursuant to Rule 1.351 filed.
Dec. 01, 2006 Subpoena Duces Tecum Without Deposition filed.
Dec. 01, 2006 Third Request for Production to Plaintiff filed.
Nov. 21, 2006 Claimant`s Response to Defendant`s Request for Production Served November 15, 2006 filed.
Nov. 20, 2006 Order Concerning Assessment Arbitration.
Nov. 20, 2006 Order Confirming Arbitrators.
Nov. 17, 2006 Certification of Potential Arbitrator Pursuant to 60Q-3.007(2) Florida Administrative Rules filed.
Nov. 17, 2006 Notice of Filing Certification of Potential Arbitrator.
Nov. 16, 2006 Request for Production to Plaintiff filed.
Nov. 15, 2006 Claimant`s Notice of Service of Answers to Palmetto General Hospital`s Wrongful Death Interrogatories filed.
Nov. 15, 2006 Certificate of Non-objection filed.
Nov. 14, 2006 Claimant`s Response to Defendant, Lifemark Hospitals of Florida, Inc. d/b/a Palmetto General Hospital`s Request for Production Served October 30, 2006 filed.
Nov. 14, 2006 Claimant`s Notice of Serving Interrogatories to Defendant Palmetto General Hospital filed.
Nov. 13, 2006 Claimant`s Notice of Service of Answers to Palmetto General Hospital`s Expert Witness Interrogatories filed.
Nov. 07, 2006 Claimant`s Objections to Defendant Palmetto General Hospital`s Wrongful Death Interrogatories filed.
Nov. 07, 2006 Claimant`s Notice of Objection to Defendant`s Notice of Intent to Serve Subpoena under Fla.R.CIV.P. 1.351 Dated 10/31/06 filed.
Nov. 03, 2006 Notice of Intent to Serve Subpoena for Production of Documents or Things Pursuant to Rule 1.351 filed.
Nov. 02, 2006 Defendant, Palmetto General Hospital`s Expert Witness Interrogatories to Plaintiff filed.
Nov. 02, 2006 Request for Production to Plaintiff filed.
Nov. 02, 2006 Palmetto General Hospital`s Wrongful Death Interrogatories to Plaintiff filed.
Nov. 02, 2006 Lifemark Hospitals of Florida`s Designation of Arbitrator filed.
Oct. 27, 2006 Certificate of Arbitrator Selected by Claimant filed.
Oct. 24, 2006 Claimant`s Selection of Arbitrator filed.
Oct. 11, 2006 Certificate of Chief Arbitrator.
Oct. 11, 2006 Notice Regarding Applicable Rules and Service of Pleadings.
Oct. 11, 2006 Order Appointing Chief Arbitrator.
Oct. 10, 2006 Request for Arbitration filed.
Oct. 10, 2006 Referral Letter filed.

Orders for Case No: 06-003916MA
Issue Date Document Summary
Jul. 01, 2009 DOAH Final Order Amended arbitration award to reflect opinion of Third District that wrongful death damages prevail over itemized damages in medical malpractice arbitration statute where wrongful death results from the medical incident.
Mar. 27, 2009 Second Mandate
Mar. 11, 2009 Second Opinion
Jan. 09, 2009 Mandate
Dec. 24, 2008 Opinion
Jun. 01, 2007 DOAH Final Order The arbitration award to the spouse of the decedent is controlled by Section 766.207, Florida Statutes, and not by the wrongful death act.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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