Feltner v. Fluder, 70--827

Decision Date09 September 1971
Docket NumberNo. 70--827,70--827
Citation252 So.2d 823
PartiesMarcia K. FELTNER, widow of Robert Miles Feltner, deceased, Appellant, v. John David FLUDER et al., Appellees.
CourtFlorida District Court of Appeals

Jon I. Gordon and L. Edward McClellan, Jr. of Frates Floyd Pearson & Stewart, Miami, for appellant.

Howard Hadley and Geoffrey B. Dobson, Tallahassee, for appellee State of Florida Department of Transportation.

OWEN, Judge.

Appellant seeks review of an order dismissing with prejudice her amended complaint against the State of Florida Department of Transportation. We conclude that this was error and reverse.

The amended complaint alleged, among other things, that as a result of the negligent design, construction and maintenance of a certain state highway intersection a condition was created which on February 9, 1970, caused an automobile collision resulting in the death of the plaintiff's spouse while operating his motor vehicle on the highway. The motion to dismiss, and supplemental motion to dismiss, filed by the State of Florida Department of Transportation asserted a lack of jurisdiction because of sovereign immunity, and the failure to state a cause of action. The order dismissing the amended complaint with prejudice does not set forth the basis upon which it was entered.

It would appear that at least some of the conduct alleged to be negligent occurred after July 1, 1969. This is the effective date of Chapter 69--116, Laws of Florida, by which sovereign immunity was waived as to certain torts. The question of whether Chapter 69--357, Laws of Florida (which terminated the waiver of sovereign immunity effective July 1, 1970), nullified the court's jurisdiction over the pending cause, is now moot. Chapter 71--165, Laws of Florida, effective July 1, 1971, expresses the legislative intent that the waiver of sovereign immunity authorized by Chapter 69--116, Laws of Florida, is revived as to causes of action arising during the period from July 1, 1969 to July 1, 1970, and that the courts of this state shall have continuing jurisdiction over such actions until final judgment and satisfaction thereof.

On the motion to dismiss we accept as true the allegations of the amended complaint. Kest v. Nathanson, Fla.App.1968, 216 So.2d 233. The allegations are sufficient to state a cause of action against the State of Florida Department of Transportation. We are not presently concerned with either questions of...

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4 cases
  • Elliott v. Hernando County, 72--474
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • August 15, 1973
    ...all facts properly pleaded therein are deemed admitted. Pourtless v. Suwannee Hotel Company, Fla.App.1966, 184 So.2d 512; Feltner v. Fluder, Fla.App.1971, 252 So.2d 823. The question of the sufficiency of the evidence which the plaintiff will likely be able to produce at a hearing on the me......
  • Rinker Materials Corp. v. City of Boynton Beach
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • October 29, 1976
    ...v. Garfinkle, 312 So.2d 778 (Fla.3d DCA 1975); Chaulsett v. City of Fort Lauderdale, 272 So.2d 163 (Fla.4th DCA 1973); Feltner v. Fluder, 252 So.2d 823 (Fla.4th DCA 1971). This cause is reversed and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this REVERSED AND REMANDED. MAGER, C.J., an......
  • State, Dept. of Transp. v. Feltner
    • United States
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • July 26, 1972
    ...The State Department of Transportation appeals from a decision of the District Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Feltner v. Fluder, 252 So.2d 823 (4th D.C.A.Fla.1971), relating to the State's immunity for torts committed by its officers, employees or servants between July 1, 1969 and July 1......
  • State Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Division of Adult Corrections v. Willits
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • January 25, 1972
    ...for appellant. R. William Rutter, Jr., of Phillips & Babbitt, West Palm Beach, for appellee. PER CURIAM. Affirmed. See Feltner v. Fluder, Fla.App.1971, 252 So.2d 823. REED, C.J., and WALDEN and OWEN, JJ., ...

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