Lorillard Tobacco Co. v. French

Lorillard Tobacco Company appeals a final circuit court order awarding over five years of statutory prejudgment interest to the attorneys for a plaintiff, appellee Lynn French, on an award of attorney’s fees and costs. 1 That award was entered because the plaintiff had made a qualifying offer of judgment and proposal for settlement pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.442 and section 768.79, Florida Statutes (2000). Finding that plaintiffs counsel became “entitled” to the fees and costs as of the date the plaintiff obtained a judgment substantially higher than 125% of her written…