Joseph S. Chirillo, Jr., M.D. v. Robert Granicz, etc.

This case is before the Court for review of the decision of the Second District Court of Appeal in Granicz v. Chirillo, 147 So.3d 544 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014). The district court certified that its decision is in direct conflict with the decision of the First District Court of Appeal in Lawlor v. Orlando, 795 So.2d 147 (Fla. 1st DCA 2001), on the issue of the duty owed to a patient by a physician or psychotherapist. Granicz, 147 So.3d at 549. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 3(b)(4), Fla. Const. For the reasons that follow, we approve the Second District’s decision and disapprove that of the…