Massey Services, Inc. v. Brown

Massey Services petitions for certiorari review of the trial court’s order permitting Kevin and Abby Brown to amend their complaint in order to add a punitive damage claim. Finding that the trial court complied with the procedural requirements for adding a punitive damage claim, we deny the petition.

Before a party can assert a claim for punitive damages, the trial court must determine that a reasonable basis for the claim exists. See § 768.72, Fla. Stat. (1999). In Globe Newspaper Co. v. King, 658 So.2d 518 (Fla.1995), the Florida Supreme Court held that appellate courts possess certiorari…