2/8/22 Florida Supreme Court Oral Arguments: Elaine Dial v. Calusa Palms Master Association, Inc., et al. SC21-43

Elaine Dial and her husband filed a negligence action against Calusa Palms Master Association, Inc. after Mrs. Dial tripped and fell on Calusa Palms’ property. The Dials sought to introduce the total amount of Mrs. Dial’s past medical bills —$120,424.36—but the trial court limited the Dials to introducing a discounted amount of $34,641.69, which included amounts paid by Medicare, private insurance, and the Dials. A jury awarded the Dials $34,641.69 in past medical expenses. The Dials appealed to the Second District Court of Appeal arguing that the trial court erroneously limited them to introducing medical bills showing the reduced amounts medical providers accepted from Medicare instead of the full amount charged. The Second District affirmed the trial court’s ruling but certified a question of great public importance to this Court.