J. et al v. Florida Department of Children and Families et al
Filing
142
ORDER granting 139 motion for entry of judgment under Rule 54(b). Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 10/8/2019. (JJB)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
JACKSONVILLE DIVISION
R. F. J., Estate of deceased minor
child, R. F., Estate of deceased
minor child, J. F., Estate of deceased
minor child, BRIAN CABREY,
attorney ad litem and next friend of
H.F., a minor child, and RICHARD
FOWLER, individually,
Plaintiffs,
v.
Case No. 3:15-cv-1184-J-32JBT
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, a
governmental agency of the State of
Florida, REGINALD BRADY,
individually, and BRUCE PERRY,
individually,
Defendants.
ORDER
Three young children tragically perished in a house fire along with their
grandmother; a fourth child narrowly escaped with serious injuries. Earlier that
morning Florida Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) employees
directed the children’s grandmother, who had a known history of serious mental
illness, to take custody of the children. The surviving child, the estates of the
three deceased children, and the children’s mother filed suit against DCF,
Reginald Brady (a DCF Child Protective Investigator) and Bruce Perry (Brady’s
supervisor). By Order dated July 16, 2019 (Doc. 135), this Court dismissed all
42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims (Counts One through Ten) against Defendants Reginald
Brady and Bruce Perry, finding them entitled to qualified immunity. This
ruling ended the case as to Brady and Perry in this Court. However, still
pending are two state law claims against DCF. Plaintiffs seek certification for
entry of judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) so that they
may immediately appeal this Court’s qualified immunity ruling. While DCF
does not oppose the Rule 54(b) certification (Doc. 140), Brady and Perry do (Doc.
141).
To obtain certification under Rule 54(b) there must be (1) a final judgment
disposing of at least one party or claim, and (2) a determination by this Court
that there is “no just reason for delay”. See Curtiss–Wright Corp. v. Gen. Elec.
Co., 446 U.S. 1, 6–7 (1980). The Court’s July 16, 2019 Order disposes of all
claims against Brady and Perry, thus, the question is whether there is any just
reason for delay. The Court recognizes that Rule 54(b) certifications are granted
sparingly to avoid piecemeal appeals but determines this to be an appropriate
case. The Court has concluded that both Brady and Perry are entitled to
qualified immunity and has dismissed all claims against them with prejudice.
Neither Section 1983 nor any claims against Brady and Perry will be relevant
to the remaining state law claims against DCF. Accordingly, the immediate
2
appeal of this Court’s Order dismissing Brady and Perry is discrete from the
remaining state law claims, as evidenced by the remaining defendant, DCF, not
opposing the Rule 54(b) certification. Moreover, contrary to Brady and Perry’s
position, the resolution of the state law claims will not impact the appeal
concerning the Section 1983 claims. The Court finds no just reason to delay
entry of final judgment in favor of Brady and Perry.
It is hereby,
ORDERED:
1.
Plaintiffs’ Motion for Certification and Entry of Judgment Pursuant
to Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b) (Doc. 139) is GRANTED.
2.
Pursuant to the Court’s July 16, 2019 Order dismissing with
prejudice Counts One through Ten of the Third Amended Complaint, the Clerk
shall enter judgment in favor of defendants Reginald Brady and Bruce Perry
and against Plaintiffs.
DONE AND ORDERED in Jacksonville, Florida this 8th day of October,
2019.
TIMOTHY J. CORRIGAN
United States District Judge
md
Copies:
3
Counsel of record
4
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