Opinion
Case No: 6:17-cv-1415-Orl-40GJK
08-01-2018
J.P.F.D. INVESTMENT CORPORATION, Plaintiff, v. UNITED SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant.
Hewett G. Woodward, The Woodward Law Firm, Orlando, FL, for Plaintiff. Michael Simon, Nina Jacobs, Simon, Reed & Salazar, PA, Orlando, FL, for Defendant.
Hewett G. Woodward, The Woodward Law Firm, Orlando, FL, for Plaintiff.
Michael Simon, Nina Jacobs, Simon, Reed & Salazar, PA, Orlando, FL, for Defendant.
ORDER
PAUL G. BYRON, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
This cause comes before the Court without oral argument on the following:
1. Plaintiff J.P.F.D. Investment Corporation's Motion for Entry of Judgment on Appraisal Award and Motion for Entitlement to Attorney's Fees and Costs, or in the alternative, Motion for Evidentiary Hearing (Doc. 30), filed February 2, 2018;
2. Defendant United Specialty Insurance Company's Response in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion for Entry of Judgment (Doc. 31), filed February 12, 2018;
3. Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Kelly's May 9, 2018, Report and Recommendation (Doc. 32);
4. Plaintiff's Objections to Report and Recommendations (Doc. 33), filed May 23, 2018; and
5. Defendant's Response in Opposition to Plaintiff's Objections to Report and Recommendations (Doc. 34), filed June 6, 2018.
With briefing complete, the matter is ripe. Upon consideration, Plaintiff's Motion for Entry of Judgment is due to be denied and the case dismissed.
I. BACKGROUND
The Court adopts the more-detailed recitation of the facts set forth in Magistrate Judge Kelly's Report & Recommendation ("R&R "). (Doc. 32). Neither party objected to the facts as reported by the R&R.
This case involves a disputed insurance claim for water damage to a building. Defendant, United Specialty Insurance Company ("United"), issued an all-risks insurance policy (the "Policy") to Plaintiff, J.P.F.D. Investment Corporation ("JPFD"), for a piece of real property owned by Plaintiff. (Doc. 2, ¶¶ 2–3; Doc. 11-1). The property sustained water damage on January 20, 2017. (Doc. 2, ¶ 2). Plaintiff immediately reported the loss to Defendant. (Doc. 31-2, ¶ 3).
The parties then embarked on a months-long endeavor to resolve the water damage claim on the Policy. Defendant conceded throughout the claims process that the water damage is covered under the Policy. The only dispute has been the amount of damages. Indeed, Defendant agreed to pay a water extraction firm $152,262.52 for preliminary water extraction services on April 6, 2017. (Doc. 11-2). Less than a month later, Defendant agreed to pay Plaintiff $91,080.97 in undisputed replacement costs pursuant to a "preliminary and partial" proof of loss submitted by Plaintiff. (Docs. 11-4, 11-6). Because of the continuing disagreement over coverage, Defendant selected an appraiser on June 20, 2017, and formally invoked its right to an appraisal in a letter to Plaintiff dated June 26, 2017. (Doc. 31-2, ¶ 15).
On June 23, 2017, Plaintiff initiated this action by filing the Complaint in Florida state court. (Doc. 2). Defendant was served with the Complaint on July 3, 2017—a week after Defendant invoked its appraisal rights. (Doc. 31-1, p. 2). On August 1, 2017, Defendant removed the Complaint to this Court. (Doc. 1). On October 17, 2017, the Court directed the parties to obtain an appraisal pursuant to Defendant's motion. (Doc. 25). On January 5, 2018, Plaintiff received a $249,228.96 appraisal award, which Defendant promptly paid. (Doc. 30, ¶ 10; Doc. 30-1).
On February 2, 2018, Plaintiff filed a motion requesting the Court enter judgment confirming the appraisal award and award Plaintiff attorneys' fees pursuant to § 627.428. (Doc. 30, p. 18 (the "Motion") ). Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Kelly submitted a R&R dated May 9, 2018, recommending the Court deny the Motion and dismiss the case. (Doc. 32). Judge Kelly recommends denial because: (1) there was never a "failure to pay" by Defendant under the Policy; and (2) Defendant never denied coverage under the Policy and was working toward resolving the claim when Plaintiff filed suit, thus the Court should not award attorneys' fees or enter a judgment confirming the arbitration award. (Doc. 32, pp. 6–9). Plaintiff objects to the R&R. (Doc. 33).
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
1 When a magistrate judge has been designated to decide a matter that is dispositive in nature, the magistrate judge must issue a report to the district judge specifying proposed findings of fact and the recommended disposition. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(1). Any party who disagrees with the magistrate judge's decision has fourteen days from the date of the decision to seek the district judge's review by filing objections to those specific portions of the decision with which the party disagrees. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2). The district judge must then make a de novodetermination of each issue to which objection is made. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(3). De novoreview "require[s] independent consideration of factual issues based on the record." Jeffrey S. v. State Bd. of Educ., 896 F.2d 507, 512 (11th Cir. 1990) (per curiam). The district judge may then accept, reject, or modify the magistrate judge's recommendation, receive additional evidence or briefing from the parties, or return the matter to the magistrate judge for further review. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(3).
2 Interpretation of an insurance contract is a question of law to be decided by the Court. Gulf Tampa Drydock Co. v. Great Atlantic Ins. Co., 757 F.2d 1172, 1174 (11th Cir. 1985). Because this case is before the Court pursuant to diversity jurisdiction (Doc. 1, ¶¶ 4–10), the Court applies the law of the forum state, Florida. See Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938).
III. DISCUSSION
Plaintiff makes two arguments in its Objection to the R&R: the Magistrate Judge erred in finding (1) that Defendant did not deny Plaintiff benefits; and (2) that attorney's fees under Florida Statutes § 627.428 were not warranted in light of Johnson v. Omega Insurance Co., 200 So.3d 1207 (Fla. 2016). (Doc. 33, pp. 6–7).
A. Defendant Did Not Deny Plaintiff Benefits
Plaintiff first argues that Defendant denied Plaintiff benefits owed to Plaintiff under the Policy, necessitating the instant suit. In support, Plaintiff cites Defendant's rejection of Plaintiff's March 28, 2017, proof of loss, and Defendant's failure to pay the appraisal award within 30 days as required by the Policy. (Id.at pp. 7–8). This objection is due to be overruled.
Plaintiff's first argument in support of this objection seemingly ignores the Policy. Specifically, the Policy states:
Loss Payment
34...
g. We [United] will pay for covered loss or damage within 30 days after we receive the sworn proof of loss, if you [JPFD] have complied with all of the terms of this Coverage Part, and: (1) We have reached agreement with you on the amount of loss; or (2) An appraisal award has been made.
(Doc. 11-1, p. 58). Contrary to Plaintiff's assertions, the Policy does not vest Plaintiff with an unfettered right to full payment of a sworn proof of loss. Payment is contingent upon (1) the filing of a sworn proof of loss, and (2) either agreement as to the loss amount, or an appraisal award. (Id.). When Defendant refused to pay Plaintiff's March 28, 2017, proof of loss, the parties had neither agreed on the amount of loss nor obtained an appraisal. Further, Defendant paid the undisputed portion of Plaintiff's request and was working toward a resolution when this suit was filed. Accordingly, Defendant's refusal to pay the March 28, 2017, proof of loss did not constitute a denial of benefits under the Policy.
The Court does not reach Plaintiff's second argument—that Defendant's failure to pay the appraisal award within thirty days constituted a denial of benefits—because it was not presented to the Magistrate Judge. See Williams v. McNeil, 557 F.3d 1287, 1292 (11th Cir. 2009) ("[A] district court has discretion to decline to consider a party's argument when that argument was not first presented to the magistrate judge.").
B. Plaintiff is Not Entitled Fees Pursuant to § 627.428
Plaintiff next asserts Magistrate Judge Kelly erred in relying upon cases decided before Johnson v. Omega Ins. Co., 200 So.3d 1207 (Fla. 2016), in finding that a formal "denial of coverage" is a pre-requisite to recovering attorneys' fees under Florida Statutes § 627.428. This objection is likewise due to be overruled.
Plaintiff maintains that Magistrate Judge Kelly improperly relied upon numerous cases decided before Johnson, which controls the present case. This objection has no merit for three reasons. First, Magistrate Judge Kelly squarely addressed Johnson, finding that case distinguishable because it involved a "wrongful denial of coverage." (Doc. 32, p. 8). Second, Plaintiff's argument suggests, without support, that Johnson overruled or modified the decisional law cited in the R&R.
Third and finally, Johnson does not support Plaintiff's request for fees pursuant to § 627. 428. "Section 627.428 provides that an incorrect denial of benefits, followed by a judgment or its equivalent of payment in favor of the insured, is sufficient for an insured to recover attorney's fees." Johnson, 200 So.3d at 1219. As explained in Section III.A, supra, Defendant did not incorrectly deny Plaintiff benefits. Accordingly, Plaintiff is neither entitled to attorneys' fees under § 627.428, nor a judgment confirming the arbitration award.
See also Doc. 32, p. 8 ("Defendant already paid a portion of the loss and was in the process of attempting to resolve the remaining dispute through the appraisal process [pursuant to the Policy] before having notice of the lawsuit.").
See Chateaubleau Villas Condo Assoc. v. Mt. Hawley Ins. , No. 08-23180-CIV, 2010 WL 4923116, at *3 (S.D. Fla. July 7, 2010). Here, the dispute has been resolved through appraisal, the award paid, and the remaining issues raised by the Complaint have been mooted. Therefore, the case is due to be dismissed. See Federated Nat'l Ins. Co. v. Esposito , 937 So.2d 199, 200–02 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006) (declining to enter judgment confirming appraisal award where the insurer "compl[ied] with the terms of its insurance contract by participating in the appraisal process and pa[id] in a timely manner").
IV. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, it is ORDEREDand ADJUDGEDas follows:
1. Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Kelly's May 9, 2018, Report and Recommendation (Doc. 32) is ADOPTEDand CONFIRMEDand made a part of this Order.
2. Plaintiff's Objections to Report and Recommendations (Doc. 33) are OVERRULED.
3. Plaintiff J.P.F.D. Investment Corporation's Motion for Entry of Judgment on Appraisal Award and Motion for Entitlement to Attorney's Fees and Costs, or in the alternative, Motion for Evidentiary Hearing (Doc. 30) is DENIED.
4. The case is DISMISSED.
5. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTEDto terminate any pending deadlines and close the file.
DONE AND ORDEREDin Orlando, Florida on August 1, 2018.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
GREGORY J. KELLY, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This cause came on for consideration without oral argument on the following motion:
MOTION: MOTION FOR ENTRY OF JUDGMENT ON APPRAISAL AWARD AND MOTION FOR ENTITLEMENT TO ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE MOTION FOR EVIDENTIARY HEARING (Doc. No. 30)
FILED: February 2, 2018
THEREON it is RECOMMENDED that the motion be DENIED .
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
The matter before the Court is an insurance dispute. Doc. No. 2. Plaintiff owns property (the "Property") located in Orlando, Florida. Id. at ¶ 2. Defendant issued an all-risks insurance policy (the "Policy") providing coverage for any damage to the Property caused by direct physical loss. Id. at ¶ 3. On January 20, 2017, the Property suffered water damage. Doc. No. 30 at ¶ 1.
On January 25, 2017, Defendant, through an independent insurance adjuster, inspected the Property to determine the scope of water damage. Doc. No. 31-2 at ¶ 4. After the inspection, Eric Osking of Advanced Building Assessment, Inc. notified Defendant that he was Plaintiff's representative as to the loss on the Property and stated that he would be preparing an estimate of damages, but that such estimate would take some time. Id. at ¶ 5.
On January 25, 2017, Defendant met with representatives from DryFast Recovery Systems, LLC ("Dryfast"), a water extraction company selected by Mr. Osking, to begin water extraction at the Property. Doc. No. 31-2 at ¶ 6. On January 31, 2017, Dryfast submitted a direction to pay signed by Plaintiff's corporate representative and an estimated invoice for water extraction services rendered. Id. at ¶ 7. On April 6, 2017, Defendant paid Dryfast the full amount of its invoice, subject to a $2,500 deductible, for a total amount of $152,262.52. Id. at ¶ 9.
On March 28, 2017, Plaintiff submitted a proof of loss for $302,272.46. Doc. No. 31-2 at ¶ 8. On April 26, 2017, Defendant sent correspondence stating that it disagreed with the scope of damages in Plaintiff's proof of loss. Id. at ¶ 10. Defendant also advised Plaintiff that it was retaining a building specialist from Dryfast to provide another damage estimate. Id.
On May 2, 2017, Defendant sent an estimate stating that the Property incurred $112,716.90 in building repair costs and $154,762.52 in water extraction costs for a total replacement cost of $267,479.42. Doc. No. 31-2 at ¶ 11. Defendant then subtracted $21,635.93 in recoverable depreciation, the prior payment to Dryfast of $152,262.52, and the $2,500.00 deductible for a remaining payment of $91,080.97. Id.
On May 3, 2017, Defendant received a "preliminary and partial" proof of loss from Plaintiff for $91,080.97, which Defendant paid. Doc. No. 31-2 at ¶ 12. On May 25, 2017, Defendant received from Dryfast a comparative estimate for remaining damages to the Property in the amount of $96,397.47. Id. at ¶ 13. On June 15, 2017, Defendant sent correspondence to Plaintiff's public adjuster about Dryfast's comparative estimate and attempted to contact Mr. Osking to discuss the estimate. Id. at ¶ 14. On June 20, 2017, after receiving no response from Mr. Osking, Defendant selected an appraiser. Id. at ¶ 15.
On June 23, 2017, Plaintiff filed a complaint (the "Complaint") in Florida state court. Doc. No. 30 at ¶ 7. On June 26, 2017, Defendant formally demanded appraisal pursuant to the Policy. Doc. No. 31-2 at ¶ 15. Defendant formally demanded appraisal due to the parties' disagreement about their respective damages calculations, but Mr. Osking never responded to the same. Id. at ¶¶ 15-16. On June 29, 2017, Plaintiff served the Complaint on the Chief Financial Officer of Florida, who delivered the Complaint to Defendant on July 3, 2017. Doc. No. 31-1 at 2.
On August 1, 2017, Defendant removed the Complaint to this Court. Doc. No. 1. On August 11, 2017, Defendant filed a motion to compel appraisal. Doc. No. 11. In the motion to compel, Defendant argued that coverage was admitted, and the only dispute was over the amount of loss. Id. On October 17, 2017, United States District Judge Paul G. Byron granted Defendant's motion and directed the parties to obtain an appraisal in the manner provided in the Policy. Doc. No. 25 at 1.
On January 5, 2018, Plaintiff received an appraisal award for $249,228.96. Doc. No. 30-1. On January 30, 2018, Defendant paid $158,147.99 to Plaintiff. Doc. No. 30-2. Such amount is the sum of the $249,228.96 appraisal award less the $91,080.97 payment Defendant made after receiving Plaintiff's partial and preliminary proof of loss. Id. at 1.
On February 2, 2018, Plaintiff filed a motion (the "Motion") requesting that the Court: 1) enter judgment confirming the appraisal award; and 2) awarding Plaintiff reasonable attorneys' fees under Fla. Stat. § 627.428. Doc. No. 30 at 18. On February 12, 2018, Defendant filed a response to the Motion. Doc. No. 31. Attached to Defendant's response is an affidavit from Daniel Green, a senior claims representative for Defendant (the "Green Affidavit"), summarizing the events surrounding the parties' insurance dispute. Doc. No. 31-2.
II. APPLICABLE LAW
"Under Florida law, each party generally bears its own attorneys' fees unless a contract or statute provides otherwise." Pepper's Steel & Alloys, Inc. v. U.S. , 850 So.2d 462, 465 (Fla. 2003). Plaintiff's requests for a judgment confirming the appraisal award and an award of reasonable attorneys' fees arise from Fla. Stat. § 627.428(1), which states:
Upon the rendition of a judgment or decree by any of the courts of this state against an insurer and in favor of any named or omnibus insured or the named beneficiary under a policy or contract executed by the insurer, the trial court or, in the event of an
appeal in which the insured or beneficiary prevails, the appellate court shall adjudge or decree against the insurer and in favor of the insured or beneficiary a reasonable sum as fees or compensation for the insured's or beneficiary's attorney prosecuting the suit in which the recovery is had.
Fla. Stat. § 627.428(1) (emphasis added). Thus, Section 627.428(1)"provides attorney's fees to an insured that obtains a judgment against an insurer." Fireman's Fund. Ins. Co. v. Tropical Shipping and Const. Co., Ltd. , 254 F.3d 987, 1010 (11th Cir. 2001) (citation omitted). See also Grow v. First Nat. Ins. Co. of Am. , No. 3:06cv11/MCR/MD, 2008 WL 141481, at * 3 (N.D. Fla. Jan. 11, 2008) ("To recover attorney's fees under [ Section] 627.428 there must be a judgment in favor of the insured.").
Florida state courts "have consistently held that the purpose of section 627.428... is to discourage the contesting of valid claims against insurance companies and to reimburse successful insureds for their attorney's fees when they are compelled to defend or sue to enforce their insurance contracts." Ins. Co. of N. Am. v. Lexow , 602 So.2d 528, 531 (Fla. 1992) (citing authority). In order to prevent insurers from necessitating a lawsuit by withholding valid proceeds and then avoiding attorneys' fees through settlement, Florida courts have incorporated a confession of judgment rule in Section 627.428. See Pepper's Steel & Alloys, Inc. , 850 So.2d at 465. The rule states that "the payment of a settlement claim is the functional equivalent of a confession of judgment or a verdict in favor of the insured." Id.
Consistent with Section 627.428's purpose, courts, in certain circumstances, have found that "an appraisal determination can constitute a confession of judgment." Grow , 2008 WL 141481 at * 3 (citing authority). In such cases, courts find that the insurer's payment of the appraisal award is a confession of judgment and enter judgment confirming the appraisal award, making the insured entitled to attorneys' fees under Section 627.428. See Chateaubleau Villas Condo. Ass'n, Inc. v. Mt. Hawley Ins. , No. 08-23180-CIV, 2010 WL 4923116, at * 3 (S.D. Fla. Jul. 7, 2010) (citing authority and stating that "[m]otions to confirm appraisal awards have been granted where there is a dispute regarding the existence of liability or when the insurer does not comply with the appraisal process outlined in the insurance contract."); Sands on the Ocean Condo. Ass'n, Inc. v. QBE Ins. Corp. , No. 05-14362-CIV, 2009 WL 790120, at * 2 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 24, 2009) (citing authority).
Appraisal awards, however, "are not confirmed merely because the insurer has paid money to its insured after suit has been filed." Chateaubleau Villas Condo. Ass'n, Inc. , 2010 WL 4923116 at * 2. In other words, Section 627.428 attorneys' fees "are not a statutory right of the insured whenever a plaintiff sues an insurer and money is later paid." Id. (citation omitted). Courts have recognized that confirmation of an appraisal award and an award of attorneys' fees are not appropriate if the insurer was taking steps to resolve the dispute without court intervention. See Progressive Express Ins. Co. v. Weitz , 218 F. App'x 846, 847 (11th Cir. 2007) (affirming the district court's denial attorneys' fees under Section 627.428 because the insurer "stood ready to arbitrate and pay the arbitration award, [and] did not wrongfully withhold payment of the proceeds of the policy.").1 See also Tristar Lodging, Inc. v. Arch Specialty Ins. Co. , 434 F.Supp.2d 1286, 1298 (M.D. Fla. 2006) (finding a "fundamental due process concern in finding that an insurance company which appropriately pays a valid claim according to the Policy terms must still pay attorney's fees, because a claimant sued it to do what it was already in the process of doing."); Sands on the Ocean Condo. Ass'n, Inc. v. QBE Ins. Corp., No. 05-14362-CIV, 2012 WL 6217497, at * 2 (S.D. Fla. Dec. 14, 2012) ("Courts, however, have refused to award attorney's fees when the insured immediately files a lawsuit, instead of permitting the appraisal process to determine the outcome of the dispute.").2 Thus, when determining whether confirmation of an appraisal award and an award of attorneys' fees are appropriate, the Court must consider whether the filing of the complaint was necessitated by the insurer's actions and whether entering judgment confirming the appraisal award and awarding attorneys' fees to the insured is consistent with the purpose of Section 627.428.
III. ANALYSIS
The Motion is unavailing for three reasons. First, under the terms of the Policy, there was never a failure to pay on the part of Defendant. Plaintiff's argument centers on two provisions in the Policy:
Loss Payment
g. We will pay for covered loss or damage within 30 days after we receive the sworn proof of loss, if you have complied with all of the terms of this Coverage Part, and: (1) We have reached agreement with you on the amount of loss; or (2) An appraisal award has been made.
SERVICE OF SUIT CLAUSE
This endorsement modifies insurance provided by the policy to which this form is attached. It is agreed that in the event of the failure by us to pay any amount claimed to be due hereunder, we will, at your request, submit to the jurisdiction of a court of competent jurisdiction within the United States of America.
Doc. No. 30 at 3-4 (emphasis added). Thus, the Policy's loss payment provision states that Defendant will pay for covered loss or damage within thirty days after receipt of a sworn proof of loss, provided that Defendant agrees on the amount of loss or an appraisal award has been made. Id. at 3. The Policy's service of suit clause states that Defendant submits to the jurisdiction of a court of competent jurisdiction in the event of a failure by Defendant to pay any amount claimed to be due. Id. at 4. At the time Plaintiff filed the Complaint, Defendant paid $91,080.97 in response to Plaintiff's preliminary and partial proof of loss, but the parties were still in dispute as to the amount of loss beyond that amount. Doc. No. 31-2 at 3-5.3 Furthermore, an appraisal award was not made at the time Plaintiff filed the Complaint in Florida state court. Doc. No. 30 at 4.
Second, Defendant never denied coverage under the Policy, and it appears that it was in the process of resolving the matter through appraisal when it was served with the Complaint. After receiving another estimate from Dryfast regarding the total amount of loss, Defendant attempted to contact Mr. Osking, but it did not receive a response from him. Doc. No. 31-2 at 4-5. Defendant formally demanded appraisal under the Policy one week before being served with the Complaint. Doc. No. 31-1 at 2; Doc. No. 31-2 at 4. Furthermore, Defendant hired an appraiser three days before Plaintiff filed the Complaint in Florida state court. Doc. No. 30 at ¶ 7; Doc. No. 31-2 at 4. Thus, Defendant already paid a portion of the loss and was in the process of attempting to resolve the remaining dispute through the appraisal process before having notice of the lawsuit.
Mr. Osking never responded to Defendant's demand. Doc. No. 31-2 at 5.
Finally, the Florida Supreme Court cases Plaintiff cites, Ivey v. Allstate Ins. Co. , 774 So.2d 679 (Fla. 2000) and Johnson v. Omega Ins. Co. , 200 So.3d 1207 (Fla. 2016), are distinguishable because both involve wrongful denial of coverage. In Ivey , the insured applied for personal injury protection benefits after being hit by a car. Ivey , 774 So.2d at 681. The insurer did not conduct a proper investigation and only covered treatment for one of the two injuries the insured sustained. Id. The insured filed an action seeking payment for the treatment resulting from the second injury, and the insurer later agreed to pay the claim. Id. Finding that the insurer conceded that it had initially denied coverage in error, the Florida Supreme Court found that the insured was entitled to attorneys' fees under Section 627.428. Id. at 684-85.
In Johnson , the insured had sinkhole coverage under a homeowner's insurance policy. Johnson, 200 So.3d at 1210. The insured filed a claim for damages resulting from conditions that the insured believed arose from sinkhole activity. Id. The insurer "totally denied" the insured's claim for coverage, prompting her to file a breach of contract action. Id. at 1211. The insurer later conceded that benefits were due under the insurance policy, and the Florida Supreme Court found that the insured was entitled to attorneys' fees under Section 627.428. Id. at 1218-1219.
Unlike Ivey and Johnson , Defendant never denied Plaintiff's claim for coverage. Doc. No. 31-2 at 5. Instead, Defendant hired an appraiser before the Complaint was filed and formally demanded appraisal prior to being served with the Complaint. Id. at 4. The parties' only dispute was over the amount of loss. Id. at 4-5. The parties have participated in an appraisal; an award was issued; and Defendant paid the remaining amount due under the award. Doc. No. 30 at 4; Doc. No. 30-2; Doc. No. 31-2 at 5. Thus, Plaintiff's filing of the Complaint was not necessitated by Defendant's actions, and any judgment confirming the appraisal award and awarding attorneys' fees to Plaintiff would not be consistent with the purpose of Section 627.428. Because the parties have resolved their dispute through appraisal, the award has been paid, and there is no other dispute before the Court, it is recommended that the Court deny the Motion and dismiss the case.
Plaintiff requests an evidentiary hearing on the Motion. Doc. No. 30 at 18. For the above-stated reasons, the undersigned does not find a hearing to be necessary.
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IV. CONCLUSION
Considering the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED that the Court:
1) DENY the Motion (Doc. No. 30); and
2) DISMISS the case; and
3) DIRECT the Clerk to close the case.
NOTICE TO PARTIES
A party has fourteen days from this date to file written objections to the Report and Recommendation's factual findings and legal conclusions. A party's failure to file written objections waives that party's right to challenge on appeal any unobjected-to factual finding or legal conclusion the district judge adopts from the Report and Recommendation. 11th Cir. R. 3-1.
Recommended in Orlando, Florida on May 9, 2018.