Florida Statute 768.71 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XLV
TORTS

Chapter 768
NEGLIGENCE

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768.71 Applicability; conflicts.—

(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided, this part applies to any action for damages, whether in tort or in contract.

(2) This part applies only to causes of action arising on or after July 1, 1986, and does not apply to any cause of action arising before that date.

(3) If a provision of this part is in conflict with any other provision of the Florida Statutes, such other provision shall apply.

History.—s. 50, ch. 86-160.

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Amendments to 768.71

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 768.71

Total Results: 44

Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc. v. Mancusi

632 So. 2d 1352

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 6, 1994 | Docket: 2020948

Cited 193 times | Published

any cause of action arising before that date." § 768.71(2). When first enacted, however, the statute did

Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc. v. Mancusi

632 So. 2d 1352

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 6, 1994 | Docket: 2020948

Cited 193 times | Published

any cause of action arising before that date." § 768.71(2). When first enacted, however, the statute did

Fabre v. Marin

623 So. 2d 1182, 1993 WL 322933

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Aug 26, 1993 | Docket: 1658330

Cited 186 times | Published

legislature has already resolved the issue. Section 768.71(3), Florida Statutes (Supp. 1988) provides

State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Nichols

932 So. 2d 1067, 31 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 358, 2006 Fla. LEXIS 982, 2006 WL 1491542

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jun 1, 2006 | Docket: 1072860

Cited 117 times | Published

Florida Statutes, such other provision shall apply." § 768.71(3), Fla. Stat. (1999). Thus, if the offer of judgment

Nichols v. State Farm Mut.

851 So. 2d 742, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 8794, 2003 WL 21359343

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 13, 2003 | Docket: 1691422

Cited 21 times | Published

Statutes, wherein the Legislature included section 768.71(3), which provides that "[i]f a provision of

Metropolitan Dade County v. Jones Boatyard, Inc.

611 So. 2d 512, 18 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 43, 1993 Fla. LEXIS 2, 1993 WL 1332

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 7, 1993 | Docket: 1757332

Cited 18 times | Published

" contains sections 768.71 through 768.81. Section 768.71 entitled "Applicability; conflicts," provides

Beauvais v. Edell

760 So. 2d 262, 2000 WL 726363

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 7, 2000 | Docket: 1695284

Cited 16 times | Published

in conflict section 768.043 would control. See § 768.71(3). There is no conflict of any kindapart from

White v. Westlund

624 So. 2d 1148, 1993 WL 349937

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 15, 1993 | Docket: 475758

Cited 16 times | Published

which governs damages in negligence actions. Section 768.71, states that, "[e]xcept as otherwise specifically

Peabody v. Rotan Mosle, Inc.

677 F. Supp. 1135, 1987 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12687, 1987 WL 34436

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Sep 29, 1987 | Docket: 1657804

Cited 14 times | Published

768.73(2) does not apply here. See Fla. Stat. § 768.71 (1986). Based on the foregoing, it is ORDERED:

Lancer Arabians, Inc. v. Beech Aircraft Corp.

723 F. Supp. 1444, 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12588, 1989 WL 128482

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Aug 10, 1989 | Docket: 1197681

Cited 13 times | Published

arising on or after July 1, 1986. See Fla.Stat. § 768.71(2). Plaintiff's complaint, however, alleges that

YH Investments, Inc. v. Godales

690 So. 2d 1273, 1997 WL 136203

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 27, 1997 | Docket: 436931

Cited 11 times | Published

cause of action arising before that date." Section 768.71(2), Fla.Stat. (Supp.1986). [9] While not directly

Robbins v. Hess

659 So. 2d 424, 1995 WL 469649

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 10, 1995 | Docket: 1463304

Cited 11 times | Published

(emphasis supplied). The plain language of section 768.71(2), attaches the right to attorney's fees to

Walt Disney World Co. v. Wood

515 So. 2d 198, 56 U.S.L.W. 2333, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 555, 1987 Fla. LEXIS 2462

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 5, 1987 | Docket: 474338

Cited 11 times | Published

that defendant. For those accidents to which section 768.71, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1986), applies, this

St. John v. Coisman

799 So. 2d 1110, 2001 Fla. App. LEXIS 16277, 2001 WL 1434195

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 16, 2001 | Docket: 1681643

Cited 8 times | Published

intentional deprivation of civil rights because section 768.71(1), entitled "Applicability, conflicts," provides

US SEC. Ins. Co. v. Cahuasqui

760 So. 2d 1101, 2000 WL 873183

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 5, 2000 | Docket: 419539

Cited 7 times | Published

Stat. *1106 The lower court also relied upon section 768.71, Florida Statues in determining that the offer

Mudano v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co.

543 So. 2d 876, 1989 WL 55968

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 31, 1989 | Docket: 2556147

Cited 6 times | Published

" contains sections 768.71 through 768.81. Section 768.71, entitled "Applicability; conflicts," provides

Goodin v. Bank of America N.A.

114 F. Supp. 3d 1197, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 81318, 2015 WL 3866872

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Jun 23, 2015 | Docket: 64302853

Cited 5 times | Published

damages, whether in tort or in contract.” Fla. Stat. § 768.71. Thus, the Eleventh Circuit has assumed that the

Caruso v. Baumle

880 So. 2d 540, 2004 WL 1403170

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jun 24, 2004 | Docket: 1294854

Cited 5 times | Published

for damages, whether in tort or in contract." § 768.71(1), Fla. Stat. (2001). The statute clarifies,

Frazier v. Metropolitan Dade County

701 So. 2d 418, 1997 WL 699562

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 12, 1997 | Docket: 2531669

Cited 5 times | Published

conflict between these two statutes is resolved by section 768.71(3), Florida Statutes (1995), which provides

Kirkland v. Allstate Ins. Co.

655 So. 2d 106, 1995 WL 16814

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 19, 1995 | Docket: 1326950

Cited 5 times | Published

source payments for benefit of the claimant.[1] Section 768.71 defines the circumstances in which part II

Yoder Bros., Inc. v. Weygant

973 So. 2d 625, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 785, 2008 WL 199897

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 25, 2008 | Docket: 1292699

Cited 4 times | Published

defendant in an action brought under the FCRA. See § 768.71(3) (providing that "[i]f a provision of this part

Garcia v. Arraga

872 So. 2d 266, 2004 WL 384187

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 11, 2004 | Docket: 1706686

Cited 3 times | Published

Arguably, the preclusive language set forth in Section 768.71(3) of the Florida Statutes would seem to preclude

Neill v. Gulf Stream Coach, Inc.

966 F. Supp. 1149, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13339, 1997 WL 298917

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: May 29, 1997 | Docket: 803484

Cited 3 times | Published

civil actions, ch. 86-1 60, § 52. [12] Fl.Stat. § 768.71-81 all deal with awards of monetary damages in

Gurney v. Cain

588 So. 2d 244, 1991 WL 174667

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 20, 1991 | Docket: 1708453

Cited 3 times | Published

several liability. However, as part of that act, section 768.71(3) provided: If a provision of this part is

Sanchez v. Degoria

733 So. 2d 1103, 1999 WL 314133

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 19, 1999 | Docket: 1188885

Cited 2 times | Published

distinction between state law and federal law claims. Section 768.71(1) provides: "Except as otherwise specifically

Osler v. Collins

870 So. 2d 65, 2003 WL 22681144

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 14, 2003 | Docket: 1698081

Cited 1 times | Published

collateral source provider's reimbursement. Compare § 768.71(1) (providing that "the court shall reduce the

Publix Super Markets, Inc. v. Young

848 So. 2d 1242, 2003 WL 21537344

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 9, 2003 | Docket: 1309406

Cited 1 times | Published

cause of action arose on or after July 1, 1986. § 768.71(1) & (2), Fla. Stat. (2001).

Publix Super Markets, Inc. v. Young

848 So. 2d 1242, 2003 WL 21537344

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 9, 2003 | Docket: 1309406

Cited 1 times | Published

cause of action arose on or after July 1, 1986. § 768.71(1) & (2), Fla. Stat. (2001).

Stewart v. Tasnet, Inc.

718 So. 2d 820, 1998 WL 685059

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 15, 1998 | Docket: 1515113

Cited 1 times | Published

for damages, whether in tort or in contract." § 768.71(1), Fla. Stat. (1995). Case law has broadly applied

City of Live Oak v. Harris

702 So. 2d 276, 1997 WL 765642

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 8, 1997 | Docket: 1513258

Cited 1 times | Published

ignores the clear legislative intent expressed in section 768.71: (1) except as otherwise specifically provided

TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL MED. CTR. v. Wells

634 So. 2d 655

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 14, 1994 | Docket: 474337

Cited 1 times | Published

application of the legislative directive appearing in section 768.71(3) which states that in event of conflict with

AM Grand Court Lakes LLC v. Rockhill Insurance Company

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Jun 5, 2023 | Docket: 66760583

Published

Argued: Jan 25, 2023

whether in tort or in contract.” Fla. Stat. § 768.71(1). USCA11 Case: 20-13954 Document: 53-1

SE Property Holdings, LLC v. Neverve LLC

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Apr 11, 2023 | Docket: 65769688

Published

Argued: Nov 18, 2022

or gross negligence.” Florida Statute § 768.71 in turn states that section USCA11 Case: 21-11736

Mary E. Sheffield, etc. v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 18, 2021 | Docket: 61531979

Published

accrued prior to its effective date” (first quoting § 768.71(2), Fla. Stat., and then quoting Mudano v. St

AMERICAN PRIME TITLE SERVICES, LLC v. ZHI WANG

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 3, 2021 | Docket: 59056698

Published

768, governing damages in negligence actions. Section 768.71(3) of the Florida Statutes, addressing the

BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA v. CH2M HILL, INC. and TRIPLE R PAVING, INC.

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 22, 2020 | Docket: 17370655

Published

“[e]xcept as otherwise specifically provided.” § 768.71(1), Fla. Stat. (2018). That provision states in

Orange County v. Buchman

183 So. 3d 457, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 310, 2016 WL 81661

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 8, 2016 | Docket: 60253015

Published

in “any action to which this part applies.” Section 768.71(1), provides that sections 768.71 through 768

Current Builders v. First Sealord Sur.

984 So. 2d 526, 2008 WL 2261502, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 8127

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 4, 2008 | Docket: 1686134

Published

for damages, whether in tort or in contract." § 768.71(1), Fla. Stat. (2006). Section 768.74(1) provides

Alaqua Lakes Realty, Inc. v. Burch

790 So. 2d 604, 2001 Fla. App. LEXIS 10965, 2001 WL 874222

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 3, 2001 | Docket: 64807133

Published

action for damages, whether in tort or contract." § 768.71(1), Fla. Stat.

Barberena v. Gonzalez

706 So. 2d 60, 1998 Fla. App. LEXIS 591, 1998 WL 27307

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 28, 1998 | Docket: 64779026

Published

section 627.7372. Kirkland, 655 So.2d at 109 (citing § 768.71(3), Fla.Stat.). ■ Although the defendants correctly

Hudson v. Moss

653 So. 2d 1071, 1995 Fla. App. LEXIS 3661, 1995 WL 170318

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 12, 1995 | Docket: 64755780

Published

to section 768.20 where the two conflict. See § 768.71(3), Fla. Stat. (1993); Childers v. Schachner,

Florida Mining & Materials Corp. v. Van Antwerp

601 So. 2d 621, 1992 Fla. App. LEXIS 6759, 1992 WL 143655

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 24, 1992 | Docket: 64668670

Published

Disney World Co. v. Wood, 515 So.2d 198 (Fla.1987); § 768.71(2), Fla.Stat. (Supp. 1986). This case arose on

Govaert v. First American Bank & Trust Co. (In re Geri Zahn, Inc.)

135 B.R. 912, 16 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 731, 1991 Bankr. LEXIS 1956

United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | Filed: Dec 19, 1991 | Docket: 65780287

Published

of action arising after July 1, 1986. Fla.Stat. § 768.71(2). The cause of action in the instant case arose

Adelsperger v. Riverboat, Inc.

573 So. 2d 80, 1990 Fla. App. LEXIS 9902, 1990 WL 212838

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 28, 1990 | Docket: 64655864

Published

after the effective date of the new statutes. § 768.71, Fla.Stat. (1987).

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. Attorney Syfert regularly works with Chapter 768 in the context of negligence and personal injury claims and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.