23 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 808a
Online Reference: FLWSUPP 2308GEICInsurance — Appeals — Jurisdiction — First paragraph of trial court’s order constitutes confession of judgment and is appealable final order — Second paragraph that does not determine amount of attorney’s fee entitlement is not ripe for appellate review
GEICO INDEMNITY COMPANY, Appellant, vs. SOUTH FLORIDA PAIN AND REHABILITATION OF WEST BROWARD, Appellee. Circuit Court, 11th Judicial Circuit (Appellate) in and for Miami Dade County. Case No. 15-149 AP. L.C. Case No. 13-010424 SP 25. July 17, 2015. Counsel: Douglas Stein, Seipp Flick, Miami, for Appellant. Andrew Paul Kawel, Kawel PLLC, Coral Gables, for Appellee.
ORDER ON APPELLANT’S PRECAUTIONARYMOTION TO DETERMINE JURISDICTION
(CYNAMON, Judge.) Upon consideration by the Court, Appellant’s Precautionary Motion to Determine Jurisdiction is hereby:
[X] GRANTED.
1. The trial court’s order filed April 9, 2015, Paragraph 1, constitutes a confession of judgment and is a final order appealable under the jurisdiction of this court. Rule 9.030(c)(1)(A), Florida Rules of App. P. (2015); S. L. T. Warehouse Co., v. Webb, 304 So. 2d 97, 100 (Fla. 1974). “Payment of a claim is . . .the functional equivalent of confession of judgment or a verdict in favor of the insured.” Geico Casualty Co. v. Barber, 147 So. 3d 109, 116 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014) [39 Fla. L. Weekly D1727a], citing Wollard v. Lloyd’s & Cos. of Lloyd’s, 439 So. 2d 217, 218 (Fla. 1983).
2. Notwithstanding this, Paragraph 2 does not resolve the issue concerning the amount of attorneys’ fee entitlement. As such, this portion of the subject order is not ripe for appellate review and premature for consideration at this time. Geico Gen’l. Ins. Co. v. Williams, 111 So. 3d 240, 245 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013) [38 Fla. L. Weekly D817a].
