Batchelor v. GEICO Casualty Company

Filing 136

ORDER denying 121 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment; denying 122 Motion for summary judgment. Signed by Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. on 12/16/2014. (VMF)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
ORLANDO DIVISION
DONNA R. BATCHELOR,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No. 6:11-cv-1071-Orl-37GJK

GEICO CASUALTY COMPANY,
Defendant.
ORDER
This cause is before the Court on the following:
1.

Plaintiff’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to the Defendant’s First,
Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Affirmative Defenses (Doc. 121), filed September
24, 2014;

2.

Geico’s Response in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion for Partial Summary
Judgment (Doc. 123), filed October 21, 2014;

3.

Plaintiff’s Reply to Defendant’s Response in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion
for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. 125), filed November 4, 2014;

4.

Geico

Casualty Company’s

Motion for Summary Judgment

and

Incorporated Memorandum of Law (Doc. 122), filed September 25, 2014;
5.

Plaintiff’s Response in Opposition to Geico’s Motion for Summary Judgment
(Doc. 124), filed October 23, 2014; and

6.

Geico’s Reply to Plaintiff’s Response in Opposition to Geico’s Motion for
Summary Judgment (Doc. 126), filed November 5, 2014.

BACKGROUND
This action concerns whether Geico Casualty Company (“Geico”) violated
§ 624.155(1)(b)(1), Florida Statutes, by failing “to attempt in good faith to settle” Donna
R. Batchelor’s (“Plaintiff”) claim for uninsured motorist (“UM”) benefits (“Claim”) arising
from an auto accident on March 5, 2005 (“Accident”). (See Docs. 67, 70.) A jury trial of
the action is set for January 2015 (Doc. 37); but Geico contends that the trial is
unnecessary because undisputed facts establish that, as a matter of law, it did not violate
§ 624.155(1)(b)(1). (See Doc. 122, pp. 17–25.) Plaintiff disagrees (see Doc. 124), and
also contends that Geico should not present four of its “affirmative defenses” at trial
because they fail as a matter of law (see Doc. 121). For the reasons set forth below, the
Court finds that a jury trial is necessary, and the parties’ Motions are due to be denied.
I.

The Policy
When the Accident occurred in 2005, Plaintiff was Geico’s insured under standard

form Florida family automobile policy number 1297-86-40-6 (the “Policy”). (Doc. 70, ¶ 5.)
As such, Plaintiff was entitled to personal injury benefits of up to $10,000 (“PIP Limit”), 1
and UM benefits of up to $30,000 (“UM Limits”) in “damages for bodily injury” that
Plaintiff “is legally entitled to recover from the owner or operator of an uninsured auto
arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of that auto.” 2 (See Doc. 130-1, pp. 2,
9–11, 14, 20–25.) Plaintiff was required to provide Geico with “notice” and “written proof”

1

The PIP coverage required Geico to pay 80% of Plaintiff’s “medical expenses”
for bodily injury resulting from an accident until the PIP Limit was met. (See Doc. 130-1,
pp. 2, 14–15; see also Doc. 122-8.)
2 An “[u]ninsured auto” is an automobile “for which the total of all bodily injury
liability insurance available in the event of an accident is less than the damages sustained
in an accident by an insured.” (Doc. 130-1, p. 20.)

2

of her Claim “under oath” if required by Geico. (See id. at 16, 22.) Geico also could require
Plaintiff to submit to examination: (1) “by doctors chosen by” Geico at Geico’s expense
(id.); and (2) “under oath by any person named by [Geico] when and as often as [Geico]
may reasonably require.” (Id. at 16, 22, 24.)
For purposes of UM benefits, damages exclude “pain, suffering, mental anguish,
or inconvenience” unless Plaintiff’s “bodily injury consists in whole or in part of:
(a) significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function; or (b) permanent injury
within a reasonable degree of medical probability.” 3 (See id. at 3.) Further, no UM benefits
were due from Geico “until the total of all bodily injury liability insurance available has
been exhausted by payment of judgments or settlements,” and UM benefits could not
duplicate “any amount paid or payable: (a) under any motor vehicle liability insurance
coverages; or (b) by or on behalf of the owner or operator of the uninsured motor vehicle.”
(Id. at 21.) Finally, Geico was “entitled to repayment” of UM benefit payments from any
funds Plaintiff might receive from an uninsured tortfeasor (id.), and Plaintiff was required
to seek written consent from Geico before she could settle with an uninsured tortfeasor.
(See id. at 21–22 (requiring submission of settlement agreement to Geico if an insured
“intends to pursue” a UM claim against Geico).)
II.

Accidents and Injuries
The Accident occurred on Highway 192 in Brevard County, Florida, when Lou Ann

Arnold (“Arnold”) struck the front passenger side of an insured vehicle operated by
Plaintiff. (See Doc. 122-2; Doc. 122-22, pp. 8–16.) The Florida Highway Patrol responded

3

This Policy language mirrors a provision of Florida’s uninsured motorist statute.
See Fla. Stat. § 627.737(2).

3

and cited Arnold for violating § 316.125, Florida Statutes. (Doc. 122-2; Doc. 122-7,
pp. 14–16.) Plaintiff’s vehicle was towed away, and due to its age and the collision
damage, it was totaled. (See Doc. 122-22, pp. 12–14; see also Doc. 122-4, pp. 12–13.)
Neither Plaintiff nor any of the occupants of her vehicle (her parents, two minor sons, and
minor niece) reported physical injuries at the scene of the Accident. (See Doc. 122-2, p. 2;
see also Doc. 122-22, pp. 8–10.)
Soon after the Accident, Plaintiff experienced pain in her lower back, and in April
2005, she sought treatment from chiropractor Matthew Boucher, D.C. (See Doc. 122-22,
pp. 15–20; see also Doc. 122-4, p. 7; 122-7, pp. 17–30.) On April 19, 2005, a magnetic
resonance imaging study of Plaintiff’s lumbar spine was done (“First MRI”). Radiologist
Jeffrey S. Araj reported that the First MRI showed two disc herniations—a “[s]mall
left-sided disc herniation at the L5-S1 intervertebral disc space level” and a “[v]ery small
central disc herniation at the L4-L5 intervertebral disc space level” (“Araj Report”).
(See Doc. 122-7, pp. 3, 31; see also Doc. 122-4, pp. 5, 3.)
Plaintiff did not find Dr. Boucher’s treatments helpful (Doc. 122-22, pp. 23–24), so
she sought evaluation and treatment from neurologist Gary M. Weiss, M.D. (Doc. 122-7,
pp. 41–43.) Based on his examination of Plaintiff, the First MRI, and an EMG Nerve
Conduction Study (“EMG Study”), Dr. Weiss concluded that Plaintiff suffered from
“[h]erniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1 greater than L4-5 with bilaterial S1 radicular
symptoms.” (See Doc. 122-7, p. 46; see also id. at 44–51.) Dr. Weiss prescribed various
treatments for Plaintiff’s low back pain, including massage, pilates, VAX-D, use of a back
brace, and various pain, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxing medications.
(See Doc. 122-22, pp. 24–28, 41–43; Doc. 122-23, p. 7; see also Doc. 122-26.)

4

On October 14, 2005, Plaintiff was involved in another car accident (“Second
Accident”), 4 and she underwent a thoracic MRI less than twelve days later (“Second
MRI”). (See Doc. 122-21, p. 2; see also Doc. 122-3, p. 3.) After the Second MRI, Dr. Weiss
concluded that Plaintiff suffered from “[h]erniated nucleus pulposus T7-8 and T8-9 with
bulging T9-10” and aggravation of “low back pain with herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1
and bulging L4-5 with right greater than left radiculopathy.” (See Doc. 122-21, p. 2; see
also Doc. 122-3, p. 3.) Plaintiff continued various treatments, but experienced little relief. 5
(See Docs. 121-12, 121-13, 122-26; see also Doc. 122-22, pp. 24–28, 41–43.)
In June 2006, Plaintiff was examined and treated by neurosurgeon Charles
Theofilos, M.D., who diagnosed Plaintiff “with lumbar disc radiculopathy.” (Doc. 122-24,
p. 4; Doc. 122-31, p. 4.) Dr. Theofilos advised Plaintiff that her more aggressive treatment
options included transforaminal epidural injections, a discogram, nucleoplasty, intradiscal
decompression therapy (IDD), and microdiskectomy. (See Doc. 122-24, pp. 4–6.) Plaintiff
ultimately underwent a provocative diskogram, IDD, epidural injections, and other
invasive treatments to alleviate her pain. (See Doc. 121, p. 2; Doc. 122-31, p. 4;
see also Doc. 122, pp. 11–12; Doc. 122-32, p. 13.)
III.

Claims Handling
Plaintiff provided Geico with notice from the scene of the Accident, and Geico first

documented the Claim at 1:41 p.m. on March 5, 2004. (See Doc. 122-4, p. 18.) On that
4

Due to the Second Accident, Plaintiff submitted additional claims to Geico for PIP
and UM benefits (“Second Claim”). (See Doc. 122-4, p. 1; Doc. 122-5, p. 15;
see also Doc. 122-22, pp. 28, 31–32, 37–41.) On November 30, 2007, Plaintiff and Geico
agreed to settle the Second Claim for UM Limits. (See Docs. 122-31, 122-34, 122-35;
see also Doc. 122, p. 12.)
5 On April 5, 2006, Geico advised Plaintiff that she had exhausted the PIP Limits
for her medical expenses. (See Doc. 122, p. 9; Doc. 122-3, p. 12; see also infra n.1.)

5

day, Geico noted the phone numbers for Windsor Insurance Company (“Windsor”), which
insured Arnold with a policy that provided liability coverage of up to $10,000 (“Arnold
Limits”). (See id. at 13, 17–18; see also Doc. 122-7.) Geico also noted that no injuries
were reported. (See Doc. 122-4, pp. 17–18.) Geico then documented little activity
concerning the Claim until April 12, 2005, when: (1) Plaintiff contacted Geico to advise it
of her back pain and her need for medical treatment (see Doc. 122-4, pp. 16–18; see also
Doc. 121-1, p. 2); and (2) Geico recorded its interview of Plaintiff (see Doc. 122-5).
Geico’s records indicate that by June 2005, it was advised that Plaintiff suffered a
herniated disc, it had not found any motor vehicle accident or workers compensation
claims that might indicate that Plaintiff’s back issue pre-dated the Accident, and it was
monitoring the file for UM exposure. (See Doc. 122-4, pp. 11–12; Doc. 124-1, pp. 31–32;
see also Doc. 122, p. 3; Doc. 124-1, pp. 19–21, 24 (testifying that Geico may have
received the Araj Report on April 26, 2005).)
On July 1, 2005, Geico received a copy of correspondence to Windsor from
Plaintiff’s attorney, which conveyed offers to settle for the Arnold Limits and to accept
Geico’s UM Limits if Geico tendered within thirty days. (See Doc. 122-7 (“Arnold Offer”);
see also Doc. 124-1, pp. 37–38; Doc. 124-2, p. 12.) In the Arnold Offer, Plaintiff:
(1) represented that she had sustained “permanent physical injuries” as a result of the
Accident which would probably require future surgical intervention; (2) provided
documentation of her “ongoing medical treatment” and bills reflecting more than $8,000
in medical expenses between April 13, 2005 and May 17, 2005; and (3) estimated that
the value of her claim against Arnold was at least $272,957.92. (See Doc. 122-27, pp. 3,
4, 6.) In a response dated July 11, 2005 (“Arnold Response”), Geico characterized

6

Plaintiff’s injury as soft tissue “at best,” and advised that: (1) Geico was not “in a position
to offer a UM settlement;” but (2) it would “re-evaluate” the Claim if Windsor tendered the
Arnold Limits. 6 (See Doc. 122-8.)
After Windsor tendered the Arnold Limits on July 19, 2005, Plaintiff asked Geico
to: (1) approve her settlement with Windsor; (2) waive Geico’s subrogation rights or pay
the Arnold Limits to Plaintiff; and (3) tender the UM Limits. (See Doc. 122-9 (“July Offer”).)
Plaintiff represented that her “injuries warrant evaluation” of her Claim in excess of UM
Limits and warned that she would file a complaint for violation of § 624.155 if Geico did
not tender the UM Limits immediately. (Id.) On August 3, 2005, Plaintiff’s counsel further
advised Geico that Plaintiff was being referred as a “surgical candidate.” (See Doc. 121-1,
p. 1; Doc. 124-3, pp. 13–14.)
In its August 8, 2005 response to the July Offer, Geico did not reference Plaintiff’s
demand for UM Limits; however, it did advise that it would pay the Arnold Limits to Plaintiff
in order “to retain [Geico’s] rights of subrogration.” 7 (Doc. 122-10 (“July Response”).)
Geico also requested additional information from Plaintiff to “continue the evaluation” of
her Claim, including income support documentation and medical records. (Id.)
6

Geico’s records reflect that several days before the Arnold Response, its claims
examiner had evaluated the Claim as follows: (1) Plaintiff was 31 years old, 5’ 1” and 192
pounds; (2) Plaintiff did not seek medical treatment for over a month after the Accident;
(3) no “impingement” was detected in Plaintiff’s scans despite the diagnosis of S1 nerve
root radiculopathy; (4) Plaintiff’s out-of-pocket medical expenses totaled only $1,750.05
after Geico’s 80% PIP payments; (5) the Arnold Limits were sufficient to compensate
Plaintiff; and (6) Geico should offer Plaintiff $2,500.00 in the “[s]pirit of [c]ompromise.”
(See Doc. 122-4, p. 7; see also Doc. 124-1, pp. 39–42; Doc. 124-5, pp. 12–14.) Geico did
not deviate from its $2,500.00 offer until November 28, 2007. (See Docs. 121-10, 122-17,
122-28, 122-33.)
7 The Policy provides that Plaintiff may file an action against Geico if Geico fails to
waive its subrogation rights and approve a settlement “within 30 days after receipt of the
settlement agreement.” (See Doc. 130-1, pp. 21–22.)

7

Two days after receipt of the August Response—on August 10, 2005—Plaintiff
submitted a civil remedy notice (“CRN”) to the Florida Department of Insurance (“DOI”),
complaining that Geico had made no offer to settle the Claim despite Plaintiff’s
“reasonable settlement offer for payment of policy limits” (“First CRN”). (See Doc. 121-5;
see also Doc. 67-3, pp. 1–5, 6–10; Doc. 122-11.) In correspondence dated August 17,
2005, Geico acknowledged receipt of the First CRN and advised that it would reevaluate
the

Claim

once

it

received

“additional

information”

(“August

Response”).

(See Docs. 121-6, 122-12.)
On August 29, 2005, Plaintiff provided Geico with additional medical records from
Dr. Weiss and proof that Windsor had tendered the Arnold Limits. (See Docs. 122-13,
122-14.) Plaintiff advised Geico that she had no other medical records due to her previous
“good health,” and income support documentation did not exist because Plaintiff “was a
full-time homemaker.” (See Doc. 122-13.) Finally, Plaintiff offered to obtain a copy of the
First MRI for Geico upon receipt of a check for the cost of the copy. (Id.) Geico responded
that it would “be in contact . . . to discuss resolution” of the Claim after it received a copy
of the First MRI. (Doc. 122-15.) Plaintiff then provided Geico with a copy of the First MRI,
which Geico provided to Michael M. Raskin, M.D., F.A.C.R. for analysis. In a report dated
September 16, 2005, Dr. Raskin advised Geico that the First MRI showed only “mild
bulging of the L4-5 and L5-S1 discs without evidence of disc herniation or nerve root
impingement.” (Doc. 122-16 (“Raskin Report”).)
On September 23, 2005, Geico provided the Raskin Report to Plaintiff with an offer
to resolve the Claim for $2,500.00 (“Geico’s First Offer”). (See Doc. 122-17.) Plaintiff did
not accept Geico’s First Offer; rather, on October 24, 2005, Plaintiff submitted another

8

CRN to the DOI complaining that Geico responded to her “reasonable settlement offer”
with an offer of “only $2,500.00” (“Second CRN”). (See Docs. 122-18.) Geico responded
by reiterating its $2,500.00 offer (“Geico’s Second Offer”), which Plaintiff rejected.
(See Docs. 121-10, 122-19.)
IV.

Coverage Action
Less than two months after receipt of Geico’s Second Offer—on December 29,

2005—Plaintiff and her spouse, Shawn R. Batchelor, filed a coverage action against
Geico in state court (“Coverage Action”). (See Docs. 121-11, 122-20.) Thereafter, Geico
did not initiate or participate in settlement discussions with Plaintiff until September 2007,
when it responded to Plaintiff’s settlement offer of $450,000.00 by again offering Plaintiff
$2,500.00—which was to be apportioned $2,400.00 to Plaintiff and $100.00 to her
spouse. (See Docs. 122-28, 122-29; see also Doc. 122-32, pp. 9–12.) After Plaintiff
rejected the $2,500.00 offer, Geico finally tendered the UM Limits to Plaintiff on
November 28, 2007, which Plaintiff rejected. (See Doc 122-33.) Plaintiff also rejected
Geico’s subsequent proposal to settle for $30,000.00. (See Doc. 122-36.)
While the Coverage Action was pending, Geico obtained a surveillance report of
Plaintiff in January 2007 and a supplemental report from Dr. Raskin in August 2007
(“Supplemental Report”). 8 (See Doc. 122-3; Doc. 122-25; Doc. 122-27; see also
Doc. 124-7, pp. 28–29.) In December 2007, Geico also required Plaintiff to submit to an
independent medical examination by orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Joseph Urrichio.

8

The Supplemental Report set forth a “new finding” that “there is now narrowing
of the L5-S1 disc space with desiccation of the disc and a left central disc herniation.”
(Doc. 122-27 (noting his agreement with Dr. Weiss, who identified two small herniations
as well as disc bulge in the mid thoracic spine).)

9

(See Doc. 122, p. 11; Doc. 122-3, pp. 2–3; see also Doc. 130-1, pp. 16, 22, 24.)
Due to several delays, the parties did not have their jury trial in the Coverage Action
until April 2011. (See Doc. 121-15; see also Doc. 122-32, pp. 14–16.) The jury returned
a verdict in Plaintiff’s favor finding that she sustained “a permanent injury within a
reasonable degree of medical probability” as a result of the Accident. (See Doc. 121-16,
pp. 1–3.) The jury also found that Plaintiff suffered $1,792,674.84 in damages, which was
comprised of: (1) $350,496.84 for past medical expenses; (2) $642,178.00 for future
medical expenses; and (3) $800,000 for pain and suffering. (See id. (“Excess Verdict”).)
On Geico’s motion, the state trial court did not enter judgment for the amount of the
Excess Verdict; rather, the state court entered final judgment in Plaintiff’s favor in the
amount of the UM Limits—$30,000.00 (“Judgment”). (Doc. 121-16, pp. 4–5.) Geico
appealed the Judgment, and the state appellate court affirmed per curiam.
See Geico Cas. Co. v. Batchelor, 111 So. 3d 895 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013).
V.

Bad Faith Claim
After Plaintiff obtained the Excess Verdict, she amended her Complaint to assert

a claim against Geico for violation of § 624.155(1)(b)(1). (Docs. 17-2, 17-3.) Geico then
filed a notice of removal with this Court on June 28, 2011 (Doc. 1), and the Court entered
a stay that was lifted on July 8, 2013—after Geico exhausted its appeals in the Coverage
Action. (See Docs. 21, 33.) On February 11, 2014, Plaintiff filed a Second Amended
Complaint. (Doc. 67.) Geico then filed its Answer and asserted seven “affirmative
defenses.” (See Doc. 70, ¶¶ 20–26.) Contentious discovery ensued requiring repeated
intervention by the Court. 9 In a discovery Order dated June 9, 2014, the Court held that
9

(See Doc. 72 (granting motion to compel interrogatory responses); Doc. 80

10

Geico was not entitled to discovery concerning Plaintiff’s damages because her
“damages were fixed” by the Excess Verdict. (See Doc. 109.)
In September 2014, Plaintiff and Geico both filed motions for summary judgment.
(Docs. 121, 122.) The parties filed their Responses in October (Docs. 123, 124) and their
Replies in November (Docs. 125, 126). These matters are now ripe for adjudication.
STANDARDS
I.

Summary Judgment
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a), a party may file a motion

“identifying [the] claim or defense—or the part of each claim or defense—on which
summary judgment is sought.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). To prevail, the movant must establish
that “there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law.” Id.; see Swaebe v. Fed. Ins. Co., 374 F. App’x 855, 856
(11th Cir. 2010); Mullins v. Crowell, 228 F.3d 1305, 1313 (11th Cir. 2000). Assertions that
a fact cannot be “genuinely disputed” must be supported by citations “to particular parts
of materials in the record.” See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A).
An adequately supported motion under Rule 56(a) shifts the burden “‘to the
non-moving party to show that specific facts exist that raise a genuine issue for trial.’”
Stephens v. Mid-Continent Cas. Co., 749 F.3d 1318, 1321 (11th Cir. 2014) (quoting Dietz
v. Smithkline Beecham Corp., 598 F.3d 812, 815 (11th Cir. 2010)). A genuine issue for
trial exists if “the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the
non-moving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); see

(granting motion to compel production of documents); Docs. 94, 108 (granting in part
motions to compel); see also Docs. 113, 116 (overruling objections to orders compelling
the production of documents).)

11

Flamingo S. Beach Condo. Ass’n, Inc. v. Selective Ins. Co. of SE, 492 F. App’x 16, 26
(11th Cir. 2012). The Court must believe the “evidence of the non-movant” and must draw
“all justifiable inferences” in the non-movant’s favor. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256; see
also Delancy v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 947 F.2d 1536, 1544 (11th Cir. 1991).
II.

Florida’s Bad Faith Statute 10
A Florida insured may assert a statutory cause of action for first party bad faith

against her insurer if the insured is “damaged” by her insurer’s failure to attempt “in good
faith to settle claims when, under all the circumstances, it could and should have done
so, had it acted fairly and honestly toward its insured and with due regard for her . . .
interests.”11 Fla. Stat. § 624.155(1)(b)(1); see Macola v. Gov’t Emps. Ins. Co.,
953 So. 2d 451, 456 (Fla. 2006). An insured may bring such an action only if her insurer
fails to pay her claim, or correct the circumstances giving rise to the claim, within 60 days
after the insured submits a CRN. See Fla. Stat. §§ 624.155(3)(a) & (3)(d). This 60 day
“window” provides insurers with a final opportunity “to comply with their claim-handling
obligations when a good-faith decision by the insurer would indicate that contractual
benefits are owed.” See Talat Enters., Inc. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 753 So. 2d 1278,
1283 (Fla. 2000); see also Vest v. Travelers Ins. Co., 753 So. 2d 1270, 1275 (Fla. 2000)

10

The “so-called ‘Bad Faith Statute’” was enacted in 1982 “to provide a civil
remedy for any person damaged by an insurer’s conduct.” QBE Ins. Corp. v. Chalfonte
Condo. Apartment Ass’n, Inc., 94 So. 3d 541, 546 (Fla. 2012) (internal quotation marks
omitted).
11 In applying Florida law, the Court looks “first for case precedent from the Florida
Supreme Court.” Composite Structures, Inc. v. Cont’l Ins. Co., 560 F. App’x 861, 864
(11th Cir. 2014) (internal quotation marks omitted). Absent such precedent, the Court is
“bound to adhere to decisions of [Florida’s] intermediate appellate courts” unless a
persuasive indication exists that the Florida Supreme Court “would decide the issue
otherwise.” Id.

12

(holding that an “appropriate response” to a CRN must be “based upon the insurer’s goodfaith evaluation of what is owed on the insurance contract”).
“The question of bad faith extends to the insurer’s ‘entire conduct in the handling
of the claim’” Kafie v. Nw. Mut. Life Ins. Co., 834 F. Supp. 2d 1354, 1359 (S.D. Fla. 2011)
(quoting Berges v. Infinity Ins. Co., 896 So. 2d 665, 680 (Fla. 2004)), and liability turns on
the fact-intensive, totality of the circumstances standard. See Berges, 896 So. 2d at 680.
Florida law requires that insurers “investigate the facts, give fair consideration to a
settlement offer that is not unreasonable under the facts, and settle, if possible, where a
reasonably prudent person faced with the prospect of paying the total recovery would do
so.” Boston Old Colony Ins. Co. v. Gutierrez, 386 So. 2d 783, 785 (Fla. 1980). “‘[B]ad faith
may be inferred from a delay in settlement negotiations which is willful and without
reasonable cause.’” Jaimes v. GEICO Gen. Ins. Co., 534 F. App’x 860, 865–66
(11th Cir. 2013) (quoting Powell v. Prudential Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 584 So. 2d 12, 14
(Fla. 3d DCA 1991)).
Because compliance with § 624.155(1)(b)(1) “‘involves diligence and care in the
investigation and evaluation of the claim,’” an insurer’s negligence is relevant to the
inquiry—although not sufficient for a finding of bad faith. See Dadeland Depot, Inc. v.
St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 483 F.3d 1265, 1276 (11th Cir. 2007) (quoting Boston Old
Colony Ins., 386 So. 2d at 785); see also King v. Gov’t Emps. Ins. Co., 579 F. App’x 796,
804 (11th Cir. 2014) (including “the negligence of the insurer” as a circumstance that may
be considered in determining whether an insurer has “breached its duty to negotiate in
good faith”); Jaimes, 534 F. App’x at 866 (quoting Campbell v. Gov’t Emps. Ins. Co.,
306 So. 2d 525, 530–31 (Fla. 1974)).

13

DISCUSSION
I.

Geico’s Motion
Geico argues that the Court should rule in its favor based on the following facts,

which Geico contends demonstrate as a matter of law that it had a “reasonable basis” for
its $2,500.00 settlement offer when it received the Second CRN:
When Geico was initially presented with the demand[, the Claim] presented
significant issues regarding whether or not the injuries [Plaintiff] claimed
were actually caused by [the Accident]. The record shows that at the time
of the Accident, [Plaintiff] was overweight and failed to report her injuries to
Geico or seek treatment for over a month. Moreover, the Accident was low
impact with minimal damage to the vehicles involved. When [Plaintiff] finally
sought treatment, she began conservative modalities with a chiropractor.
[The First MRI] revealed only “small” and “very small” herniations according
to [the Araj Report]. In addition, her complaints of radiculopathy conflicted
with the diagnostic studies that showed no nerve root impingement. The
medical bills enclosed with [the Arnold Offer] evidenced that . . . 80% of
[Plaintiff’s] bills [were paid with PIP benefits], and that [she] only paid
$1,705.05 out-of-pocket. While [Plaintiff] had visited a neurologist, he had
not recommended anything other than continued conservative care.
Moreover, none of the records provided to Geico evidence that [Plaintiff]
suffered from a permanent injury. Thus, under the totality of the
circumstances, considering the significant questions as to causation and
damages, it was reasonable for Geico to evaluate [the Claim] as being a
soft tissue injury, valued within $20,000 combined [Arnold Limits] and PIP
limits.
(See Doc. 122, pp. 20–21 (asserting that “there was no indication that [Plaintiff] was a
surgical candidate”).) Geico further asserts that its September 2007 tender of the UM
Limits was consistent with its obligations under Florida law. 12 (Id.)
12

Like most of Geico’s factual assertions, the evidentiary support for this assertion
is ambiguous at best. Geico’s attorney in the State Action did attribute Geico’s decision
to tender the UM Limits to “the new information provided in the November 14 update
deposition of [Plaintiff] and the November 20 deposition of Thomas McGee, MD”
(see Doc. 122-32, pp. 14–16); however, Geico did not document and could not identify
who authorized the tender (See Doc. 124-5, pp. 19–21; Doc. 124-7, pp. 52–54.) Further,
Geico could not explain why it made a settlement offer of $2,500.00 in 2007 even though
it had other new information confirming the severity of Plaintiff’s injury. (See Doc. 124-7,

14

Geico’s argument is devoid of citations to record evidence, and for this reason
alone, its Motion fails. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A) (requiring that a moving party
support its assertions with citations “to particular parts of materials in the record”). Even
if Geico had provided sufficient record citations, its Motion still fails because the Court
finds ample evidence in the record permitting jury findings that: (1) the Accident was not
low impact with minimal damage to the vehicles involved; (2) Plaintiff’s complaints of
radiculopathy did not conflict with the diagnostic studies; 13 (3) Dr. Weiss’ treatment
recommendations were not limited to continued conservative care; 14 (4) the medical
records provided to Geico demonstrated that Plaintiff suffered a permanent injury; and
(5) Geico was not presented with significant issues concerning causation.
First, Plaintiff’s deposition testimony contradicts Geico’s description of the
Accident as low impact, and the evidence concerning the damage to Plaintiff’s car—it had
to be towed from the scene of the Accident and was considered a total loss—does not
support Geico’s assertions. (See Doc. 122-22, pp. 7–15.) Further, there is no evidence in
the record concerning the condition of Arnold’s vehicle after the Accident. Accordingly,
questions of fact exist concerning whether Geico’s purported assessment of the severity
of the Accident was in good faith and provided support for Geico’s claims handling
decisions.

pp. 26--27, 33–34; see also Doc. 124-5, pp. 9–12; Doc. 124-7, pp. 36–37.)
13 The only evidence supporting this assertion came from one of Geico’s claims
examiners, and she conceded that the EMG Study showed “radiculopathy.” (Doc. 124-4,
pp. 19–20, 26, 31, 33.) The purported “conflict” related to the claims examiner’s reading
of the First MRI and Plaintiff’s purported report of left-sided pain while the EMG Study
showed “right-sided complaints on the nerve conduction.” (Id. at 33.)
14 The medical records reflect only Plaintiff’s initial preference for “conservative
treatment.” (See Doc. 122-26.)

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Questions of fact also exist concerning Geico’s assessment of Plaintiff’s injury. For
instance, a jury could find that the testimony of Geico’s claims examiners reflect an
understanding that Plaintiff’s injury was permanent. (See Doc. 124-4, p. 31 (conceding
that “doctors rated” Plaintiff with a permanent injury, so she had a “permanency”);
see also Doc. 124-1, p. 45 (conceding that, in Florida, a “herniated disc” would be
“sufficient to satisfy the permanent injury threshold”); Doc. 124-2, pp. 14–15 (testifying
that Geico would consider a herniated disc a “significant injury” if “impingement” or
“radicular symptoms” are noted); but see Doc. 124-8, pp. 15–16.) Further, Geico notes
that its assessment of Plaintiff’s medical condition was based, in part, on Plaintiff’s delay
in seeking medical treatment; however, the initial claims examiner testified that Plainitff’s
delay did not have a “significant impact” on her evaluation. (See Doc. 124-1, pp. 44–45.)
Although another Geico employee referenced the treatment delay as one of his reasons
for believing that Geico handled the Claim in good faith, such conflicting testimony does
not establish a “fact” as a matter of law. (See Doc. 124-5, pp. 12–13, 22–23.)
With respect to causation, Geico’s claims examiner conceded that she never had
“any indication that [Plaintiff’s] back injuries were caused by anything other than” the
Accident. (See Doc. 124-4, pp. 27, 32 (stating that Plaintiff’s “injury was caused by” the
Accident).) Further, despite investigative efforts, Geico obtained no records indicating that
Plaintiff had complained of lumbar back pain before the Accident. (See Doc. 124-4,
pp. 25–27; Doc. 124-8, p. 11; see also Doc. 125-7, pp. 31–32 (testifying that Geico did a
“hospital canvas” and “pharmacy canvas” to “see if there is any prior activity by Plaintiff
indicating her back complaints existed prior to the Accident).) In light of this evidence,
testimony from a Geico employee who claimed that Dr. Raskin advised Geico that

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Plaintiff’s back injuries “appeared degenerative” is insufficient to establish, as a matter of
law, that Geico was faced with “significant issues” concerning causation. 15
(See Doc. 124-5, pp. 13–14.)
The record reflects sufficient additional evidence that would permit a jury to
conclude that Geico failed to attempt “in good faith to settle” the Claim when “it could and
should have done so” in the Fall of 2005, had it “acted fairly and honestly” and with “due
regard” for Plaintiff’s interests. See Fla. Stat. § 624.155(1)(b)(1). For instance, the
evidence indicates that Plaintiff was willing to settle for UM Limits from the time of the
Arnold Offer in 2005 until the summer of 2007 (see Docs. 121-4, 121-20); yet, Geico’s
claims adjusters never “picked up the phone” to try and negotiate the Claim with Plaintiff’s
attorney. (See Doc. 124-4, pp. 35, 40; Doc. 124-7, p. 27; Doc. 124-8, p. 19.) Further, a
jury could find that a fair and honest investigation of the Claim in the Fall of 2005 would
have included an independent medical exam of Plaintiff, an independent review of all of
Plaintiff’s medical records (not just Dr. Raskin’s review of the First MRI in isolation), and
an effort to obtain permission from Plaintiff to confer with her treating physicians. Yet,
Geico did none of these things before it responded to the Second CRN. (See Doc. 124-1,
pp. 48–49; see also Doc. 124-2, pp. 16– 7; Doc. 124-4, pp. 15–16, 40–41; Doc. 124-8,
pp. 12–13, 17.) Indeed, based on Geico’s limited investigation and the testimony of its
claims examiner that her intent in offering $2,500.00 in the Second Offer was to “get some
kind of conversation going,” (see Doc. 124-2, pp. 30–32), a jury could conclude that
15

The record also includes the sworn affidavit of Plaintiff’s proffered expert
witness, Susan Kaurman, who opined that Geico’s handling of the Claim did not comport
with the requirements of § 624.155(1)(b)(1). (See Doc. 124-9.) As one example,
Ms. Kaufman notes that Geico “placed more weight on” Dr. Raskin’s report over the
reports of Plaintiff’s treating radiologist. (Id. ¶ 5.)

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Geico’s response to the Second CRN was not a “good-faith evaluation” of what it owed
Plaintiff on the Policy. See Vest, 753 So. 2d at 1275.
Resolution of a statutory bad faith claim “is rarely possible as a matter of law.”
Cadle v. Geico Gen. Ins. Co., No. 6:13-cv-1591-Orl-31GJK, 2014 WL 4983746, at *3
(M.D. Fla. Oct. 6, 2014) (denying insured’s motion for summary judgment due to question
of fact concerning whether insurer’s claim valuation was in good faith); King v. Gov’t
Emps. Ins. Co., No. 8:10-cv-977-T-30AEP, 2012 WL 4052271, at *4 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 13,
2012) (same); Dellavecchia v. Geico Gen. Inc. Co., No. 8:09-cv-2175-T-27TGW,
2011 WL 53029, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 7, 2011) (same); Kearney v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co.,
664 F.Supp.2d 1234, 1243 (M.D. Fla. 2009) (same); see also Vest, 753 So. 2d at 1275
(“Good-faith or bad-faith decisions depend upon various attendant circumstances and
usually are issues of fact to be determined by a fact-finder.”). Because the issues
concerning an insurer’s claims handling decisions are “for the jury,” Courts grant motions
for summary judgment concerning “bad faith” in rare circumstances. See Thomas v.
Lumbermens Mut. Cas. Co., 424 So. 2d 36, 38 (Fla. 3d DCA 1982); see also Berges,
896 So. 2d at 680 (“[W]here material issues of fact which would support a jury finding of
bad faith remain in dispute, summary judgment is improper.”). Such rare circumstances
plainly are not presented by this action. Accordingly, Geico’s Motion is due to be denied.
II.

Plaintiff’s Motion
Plaintiff requests summary judgment in her favor concerning the following four

“affirmative defenses” asserted by Geico (Doc. 121): (1) the Policy did not require Geico
to settle (“First Defense”); (2) “Geico did not have a realistic opportunity to settle” within
Policy limits (“Fifth Defense”); (3) Plaintiff “was unwilling to settle” within Policy limits

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(“Sixth Defense”); and (4) Plaintiff failed to allege any recoverable damages because the
Excess Verdict “is not an element” of her damages (“Seventh Defense”). (Doc. 70, ¶¶ 20–
26.) Geico urges the Court to deny Plaintiff’s Motion because “Geico is entitled to
summary judgment, not Plaintiff.” (See Doc. 123, p. 2.) Geico also contends that the
Motion is “improper” because Geico’s “Seventh Defense” is “no longer subject to dispute.”
(See id. at 2, 10–11.)
Given Geico’s concession that “Plaintiff is not required to re-litigate her damages
in this bad faith action,” and the Excess Verdict “will constitute the measure of damages
to be awarded” in this action (if any) (see id.), the Court finds that Plaintiff’s Motion with
regard to the Seventh Defense is due to be denied as moot.
The remainder of Plaintiff’s Motion concerns assertions by Geico that are simply
“denials” of Plaintiff’s allegations in support of its prima facie case—not true affirmative
defenses. 16 See Cadle, 2014 WL 793339, at *3; see also In re Rawson Food Serv., Inc.,
846 F.2d 1343, 1349 (11th Cir. 1988) (“A defense which points out a defect in the plaintiff's
prima facie case is not an affirmative defense.”). As noted above, the record is replete
with material questions of fact concerning Plaintiff’s prima facie case; thus, Geico’s
denials are not subject to resolution as a matter of law, and the remainder of Plaintiff’s
Motion is due to be denied.

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This action is certainly not the first time Geico’s mischaracterization of its denials
as affirmative defenses has necessitated unnecessary rulings from the judicial officers of
this Court. See King, 2012 WL 4052271, at *8 (addressing insured’s motion for summary
judgment on same “affirmative defense” asserted by Geico); Dellavecchia,
2011 WL 53029, at *4 (same). Given these prior rulings, Court is perplexed that Geico
continues to assert such matters as affirmative defenses in the bad faith actions filed
against it in this Court.

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CONCLUSION
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
1.

Geico

Casualty Company’s

Motion for Summary Judgment

and

Incorporated Memorandum of Law (Doc. 122) is DENIED.
2.

Plaintiff’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to the Defendant’s First,
Fifth, and Sixth Affirmative Defenses (Doc. 121) is DENIED, and Plaintiff’s
Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to the Defendant’s Seventh
Affirmative Defense (Doc. 121) is DENIED AS MOOT.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers in Orlando, Florida, on December 16, 2014.

Copies:
Counsel of Record

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