Victory Affirmed for Client Trans Healthcare, Inc. in Reversal of $900 Million Judgment; Noted in Law360

Law360 reported that the Florida Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s reversal of a $900 million juring ruling against Trans Healthcare, Inc. (THI). THI was sued by former patient, Joseph Webb, for injuries he received in a nursing home allegedly operated by THI. After a default was entered against THI on liability, the Receiver for THI sent counsel to appear pro hac vice and defend against the damages claim.

The Florida intermediate appellate court held that the trial court's refusal to permit THI’s chosen counsel to appear pro hac vice “gave Webb an exclusive three-day audience with the jury, and enabled him to present damning evidence against the unrepresented corporate defendants, unfettered.” The appellate court reversed and remanded the jury’s $900,000,000 judgment against THI. On Friday, May 9, the Florida Supreme Court refused Webb’s request to entertain discretionary jurisdiction over the matter.

"The Supreme Court's refusal to accept jurisdiction is exactly what we expected given that the First District followed well-established Florida law governing the admission of non-Florida attorneys," Hala A. Sandridge, counsel for THI, told Law360. 

Read the full article - "Fla. High Court Nixes Nursing Home Patient's $900M Award" (Law360, May 12, 2014)