MARY S. SCRIVEN, District Judge.
Plaintiffs, William E. Long and his wife, Shirley Skafec-Long, filed a three-count Complaint that was removed to this Court on August 28, 2012. The Complaint alleges that Defendant, a musical performer, and his entourage initiated and engaged in a bar fight at Bishop's Tavern in St. Petersburg, Florida, on January 29, 2012. Mr. Long was employed as a bouncer at Bishop's Tavern. He alleges that, during his attempt to quell the fracas, he was struck on his right hand by a bottle of liquor that was being swung by Defendant. Mr. Long suffered a laceration across the knuckle of his hand, which subsequently became infected and required surgery, physical therapy, and antibiotic treatment. In Count I of the Complaint, Mr. Long asserts a claim for battery. In Count III, Mrs. Long asserts a claim for loss of consortium.
After conducting a careful and complete review of the findings and recommendations, a district judge may accept, reject or modify the magistrate judge's report and recommendation. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); United States v. Powell, 628 F.3d 1254, 1256 (11th Cir.2010). A district judge "shall make a de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made." 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); see also United States v. Farias-Gonzalez, 556 F.3d 1181, 1184 n. 1 (11th Cir.2009). This requires that the district judge "give fresh consideration to those issues to which specific objection has been made by a party." Jeffrey S. v. State Bd. of Educ. of Ga., 896 F.2d 507, 512 (11th Cir.1990) (quoting H.R. 1609, 94th Cong., § 2 (1976), 1976 U.S.C.C.A.N. 6162, 6163). The district judge reviews legal conclusions de novo, even in the absence of an objection. See Cooper-Houston v. S. Ry. Co., 37 F.3d 603, 604 (11th Cir.1994). A district court may not reject the credibility determinations of a magistrate judge without personally rehearing disputed testimony
In their Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, Plaintiffs contend that there is no evidence to support Defendant's affirmative defenses, and that they are entitled to summary judgment on all the affirmative defenses pertaining to self-defense, unintentional touching, negligence, and accident. In the Report and Recommendation, Judge McCoun recommended that Plaintiffs' motion be granted as to Defendant's First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-First, Twenty-Third, and Twenty-Fourth Affirmative Defenses, and that the motion be denied as to Defendant's Second, Ninth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Twentieth, and Twenty-Second Affirmative Defenses.
Plaintiff raises the following objections to Judge McCoun's recommendations: (1) the Eleventh affirmative defense should have been stricken with prejudice; (2) the Twelfth affirmative defense should have been stricken; and (3) the Twentieth and Twenty-Second defenses should have been stricken.
In his Eleventh affirmative defense, Defendant alleges that Plaintiffs fail to state a claim for which relief can be granted. The Court agrees with Judge McCoun that failure to state a claim for which relief may be granted is not an affirmative defense, but rather, a failure of pleading. See U.S. v. Halifax Hosp. Medical Center, 2013 WL 6017329 (M.D.Fla. Nov. 13, 2013). As such, it is appropriate to strike this defense, but Defendant should not be precluded from otherwise asserting this failure of pleading as a specific denial of Plaintiffs' allegations. See Geller v. von Hagens, 2011 WL 2581187, *3 (M.D.Fla. June 29, 2011) (finding "failure to state a claim" was not a sufficient affirmative defense, but treating it as a specific denial of plaintiffs' claims); Denarii Systems, LLC v. Arab, 2013 WL 500826, *6 (S.D.Fla. Feb. 11, 2013) (same). Accordingly, the Court agrees with Judge McCoun's recommendation that the Eleventh Affirmative Defense be stricken without prejudice.
With respect to Judge McCoun's recommendations that the Twelfth, Twentieth, and Twenty-Second affirmative defenses not be stricken, Plaintiffs' objections are merely reassertions of the same arguments they made in their Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. The Court believes these arguments were properly considered and sufficiently addressed by Judge McCoun, particularly in footnote 6 of the Report and Recommendation.
In his Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendant argues summary judgment is warranted on Mr. Long's battery claim because there is no genuine issue of material fact with respect to whether Defendant intended to injure Mr. Long and whether the injury Mr. Long suffered was caused by Defendant swinging the bottle. Judge McCoun recommended that Defendant's motion be denied because the evidence proffered by Plaintiffs establishes genuine issues of material fact as to the allegations of battery.
Defendant objects to the Report and Recommendation, asserting the same arguments with respect to intent and causation that he made in his motion for summary judgment. Again, the Court finds that these argument were properly considered by Judge McCoun. Upon its own review of the facts and the applicable law,
In addition to his substantive objections, Defendant also objects to Judge McCoun's recommendation that his Third, Fourth, Tenth, Thirteenth, and Eighteenth affirmative defenses should be stricken because they were waived by Defendant at the June 17, 2014 hearing on the Parties' motions for summary judgment. The Court has reviewed the audio transcript of that hearing. Counsel for defendant made no objection when Judge McCoun determined that the Third and Fourth affirmative defenses appeared to have been waived by agreement of the Parties. Additionally, counsel expressly conceded that the Tenth, Thirteenth, and Eighteenth affirmative defenses were not applicable to the facts of this case. Accordingly, the Court finds that each of these defenses were waived.
Finally, the Court agrees with Judge McCoun's determination that Defendant's Fifth, Eleventh, and Fifteenth affirmative defenses do not state affirmative defenses recognized under Florida law, but pertain to issues that may be appropriate to raise by motion at some other point in the course of this litigation.
Upon consideration of the Report and Recommendation, and in conjunction with an independent examination of the file, including a de novo review of both Plaintiffs' and Defendant's objections, the Court is of the opinion that the Report and Recommendation should be ADOPTED, CONFIRMED, and APPROVED in all respects.
It is hereby
THOMAS B. McCOUN III, United States Magistrate Judge.
THIS CAUSE is before the Court on referral for a Report and Recommendation
Plaintiffs, William E. Long and his wife, Shirley Skafec-Long, filed a three-count Complaint that was removed to this Court in August 2012. By their allegations, the Defendant and his entourage initiated and engaged in a bar fight on or about January 29, 2012, at Bishop's Tavern in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mr. Long was a security guard at the tavern, and in his effort to quell the melee, he was struck on his right hand by Defendant who was swinging a bottle. In Count I, Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant, with specific intent to harm Mr. Long, intentionally hit and cut Mr. Long's finger thereby causing serious bodily injury, pain and suffering, loss of employment, and medical expenses. In Count III, Plaintiffs asserted a claim for loss of consortium on behalf of Mrs. Long.
Summary judgment is appropriate where "there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). "A genuine factual dispute exists only if a reasonable fact-finder `could find by a preponderance of the evidence that the [non-movant] is entitled to a verdict.'" Kernel Records Oy v. Mosley, 694 F.3d 1294, 1300 (11th Cir. 2012) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)). The moving party bears the initial burden of showing, by reference to materials on file, that there are no genuine disputes of material fact that should be decided at trial. Hickson Corp. v. N. Crossarm Co., 357 F.3d 1256, 1260 (11th Cir.2004) (citing Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). "Once the movant adequately supports its motion, the burden shifts to the nonmoving party to show that specific facts exist that raise a genuine issue for trial." Dietz v. Smithkline Beecham Corp., 598 F.3d 812, 815 (11th Cir.2010) (citation omitted). The evidence presented must be viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Ross v. Jefferson Cnty. Dep't of Health, 701 F.3d 655, 658 (11th Cir.2012) (citation omitted). If there is a dispute between the parties' allegations or evidence, the nonmoving party's evidence is presumed to be true. Shotz v. City of Plantation, Fla., 344 F.3d 1161, 1164 (11th Cir.2003). If a reasonable fact finder evaluating the evidence could draw more than one inference from the facts, and if that inference introduces a genuine dispute over a material fact, summary judgment should not be granted. Samples v. City of Atlanta, 846 F.2d 1328, 1330 (11th Cir. 1988) (citation omitted).
By their Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. 98), Plaintiffs contend that
In particular, Plaintiffs assert that Defendant has consistently denied that he struck Mr. Long and that he acted intentionally to cause a battery or harm him. However, those claims are contradicted by the testimony of numerous witnesses who saw Defendant wielding a bottle, including Mr. Long and Thomas McNeice, both of whom testified that Defendant hit Mr. Long with a bottle. Based on Defendant's consistent denials and Plaintiff's' contrary evidence indicating Defendant acted intentionally in striking Mr. Long, Plaintiffs contend they are entitled to summary judgment on a number of Defendant's affirmative defenses. Initially, Plaintiffs claim they are entitled to summary judgment on affirmative defenses raising claims of self-defense, unintentional touching, negligence, and accident.
In response (Doc. 114), Defendant argues that Plaintiffs repeatedly and falsely allege facts in their Motion that are unsupported by the evidence or which are contradicted by other testimony. In particular, insofar as Plaintiffs assert Defendant started the melee that resulted in Mr. Long's injury, the evidence reveals otherwise. Moreover, Defendant contends that Plaintiffs improperly rely upon inadmissible hearsay to support the claim that Mr. Long was struck by Defendant; Mr. Long's own testimony reveals that he did not know how he cut his hand; and Plaintiffs mischaracterize Defendant's testimony. While he did deny hitting Mr. Long with the bottle, Defendant acknowledged that he was in fear of bodily harm when he grabbed a vodka bottle in order to safely leave the premises.
Concerning his affirmative defenses, Defendant asserts that Plaintiffs fail to proffer relevant facts or legal authority in support of their claim that dismissal is warranted on his First, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Affirmative Defenses. Defendant argues that, given the extensive record cited by Defendant, those affirmative defenses should survive the Motion. As for the argument concerning his claims of self-defense or defense of others, Defendant argues that self-defense is an absolute bar to liability for battery under Florida Law where an individual uses force reasonably necessary in response to a battery and such may be asserted here. By Defendant's version of the events that night, he and members of
As for particular affirmative defenses, Defendant asserts that his Second Affirmative Defense is unrelated to any negligence argument; rather, it simply sets forth the standard mitigation of damages defense which is applicable in the circumstances of this case. Regarding his Eighteenth and Nineteenth Affirmative Defenses, which claim a set-off and the benefit of the collateral source rule, respectively, Defendant argues that such do not require specific factual allegations or support. In sum, Defendant urges that the disputed versions of this bar-room fight demonstrate issues of material fact which dictate that Plaintiffs' Motion be denied. (Doc. 114).
I find it unnecessary to address in detail each of the challenges to the affirmative defenses.
As for the remaining affirmative defenses, Defendant's Second, Fifth, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteen, Seventeenth, Twentieth and Twenty-Second Affirmative Defenses, the Motion should be
In sum, all but the Second, Ninth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Twentieth and Twenty-Second Affirmative Defenses are now waived or subject to dismissal on Plaintiffs' Motion and it is so
By his Motion (Doc. 99), Defendant argues that summary judgment is warranted on Mr. Long's battery claim because there is no genuine issue of material fact as to Defendant's lack of intent to commit the battery and as to causation. Regarding intent, Defendant urges the evidence shows he did not intend to injure Mr. Long or that his conduct was not substantially certain to result in an injury to Mr. Long. Specifically, Defendant points to his own testimony that he picked up the bottle in self defense as well as the testimony of Thomas McNeiee, the manager of Bishop's, who testified that Defendant appeared to be protecting himself.
Plaintiffs argue that the Court previously denied Defendant's first motion for summary judgment based in part on Mr. Long's sworn complaint that Defendant
As the Court decided on Defendant's first motion for summary judgment (Doe. 64), the proffered evidence establishes genuine issues of material fact as to the allegations of battery. Florida law defines a battery as "the infliction of a harmful or offensive contact upon another with the intent to cause such contact or the apprehension that such contact is imminent." Colony Ins. Co. v. Barnes, 189 Fed.Appx. 941, 943 (11th Cir.2006) (quoting Paul v. Holbrook, 696 So.2d 1311, 1312 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1997)); Quilling v. Price, 894 So.2d 1061, 1063 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App. 2005). Thus, to establish a civil cause of action for battery under Florida law, a plaintiff must prove "(1) the intent to cause a harmful or offensive contact with another person,
As reflected in the cross motions, Defendant purports to set forth a statement of undisputed facts which, when considered in light of all the proffered evidence, appears selective and self-serving. On the other hand, Plaintiffs rely on both eyewitness testimony and inadmissible hearsay to bolster their version of the events in this barroom brawl while omitting Mr. Long's uncertainty as to how his hand was cut that evening. Nonetheless, by any reading, the parties' contentions regarding the events of this melee at Bishop's Tavern are substantially in dispute.
Defendant's version raises a dispute as to whether he struck Mr. Long and/or whether he intended to cause a harmful or offensive contact with Mr. Long. While Defendant does not deny swinging a bottle, he denies intentionally hitting Mr. Long or causing him injury. See Dep. Def. (Doc. 100-2 at 15, 24). Defendant maintains he swung the bottle(s) in an attempt to protect himself and his associates during this melee, see id., and that self-defense is a bar to any finding of liability. He also notes Ray Milton's testimony that Milton did not see Mr. Long get hit with a bottle. See Dep. Milton (Doc. 97-2 at 12-13). On the other hand, Plaintiffs contend the evidence shows that Defendant intentionally swung the champagne or vodka bottle striking Mr. Long in the hand, and Mr. Long claims as much as the likely cause of his injury. Mr. Milton testified he stopped Defendant from throwing a bottle, he saw Defendant and "his boys" get in Mr. Long's face, and while he did not see Mr. Long get hit with the bottle, he saw Defendant grab a second
While the Court cannot resolve the disputed testimony on this Motion, it is appropriate to conclude that a jury could resolve the dispute in favor of Plaintiffs by rejecting Defendant's claim that he acted in self defense or in defense of his friends and reasonably inferring that Defendant intended to strike Mr. Long with the bottle in a manner that would constitute a battery under Florida law. See Paul, 696 So.2d at 1312 (noting that "[p]roof of intent to commit battery is rarely subject to direct proof, but must be established based on surrounding circumstances.").
The facts pertaining to causation do present a closer call. Defendant contends that even by Mr. Long's version, there is no direct evidence that the bottle swung by Defendant caused the laceration to his hand and Mr. Long merely deduces that fact. See Dep. Long (Doc. 100-1 at 63, 75). In Defendant's view, the evidence also allows the conclusion that Mr. Long's injury was caused by blunt trauma and could have also been caused by Mr. Long's other confrontations during this melee or by Mr. Long punching Defendant in the head. See Dep. Long (Doc. 100-1 at 38-39, 45, 46, 48). Plaintiffs counter that the evidence on this is disputed but adequate to support their version and withstand the Motion. Thus, they cite testimony from Dr. Nino Kurtsikidze who treated Mr. Long at the emergency room and who characterized Mr. Long's injury as the result of blunt trauma, which includes an unbroken glass bottle. See Dep. Kurtsikidze (Doc. 100-6 at 20). The glass bottle Defendant wielded was mostly full, see Dep. Def. (Doc. 100-2 at 26), and thus in Plaintiffs' view, it was quite heavy and even more likely to cause injury. Additionally, McNeice testified that he saw Mr. Long get hit with a bottle being swung by Defendant. Dep. McNeice (Doc. 97-6 at 9).
While the Plaintiffs' evidence that Mr. Long's injury was caused by a blow struck by Defendant is both disputed and weakly supported and while the bottle may not be the only plausible cause of Mr. Long's injury, construing the facts in a light most favorable to Plaintiffs, a reasonable jury could conclude that Defendant's wielding and swinging of a bottle during this melee did cause the laceration to Mr. Long's finger. This dispute also is better left to the jury to decide.
Fact disputes also preclude the finding that Defendant acted in self defense during this melee. Although Defendant claims he was in fear for his safety and the safety of his friends, see Dep. Def. (Doc. 100-2 at 15, 24), it appears undisputed that the whole melee started after an acquaintance of Defendant's acted inappropriately towards a female member of Bishop's staff. See Dep. Zulauf (Doc. 100-2 at 16). By Plaintiffs' version, Defendant was fully a part of the melee when security stepped in to break it up. By Mr. Long's account, he responded in his capacity as a bouncer and sought to quell the fighting. According to his testimony, he only engaged
In sum, on this record the disputed facts make it impossible for the Court to enter a judgment as a matter of law on the battery claim. Because the battery claim is disputed, the loss of consortium claim survives for jury determination as well.
For the foregoing reasons, it is
Respectfully submitted this 30th day of June 2014.