R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Ward

Appellants argue that the trial court abused its discretion in awarding Appellee attorney's fees and costs of $981,116.23 pursuant to rule 1.380(c), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. We agree and reverse.

After a trial on the merits of the case, Appellee sought attorney's fees and costs related to sixteen requests for admissions that were timely denied by Appellants. Rule 1.380(c) provides,

c) Expenses on Failure to Admit. If a party fails to admit the genuineness of any document or the truth of any matter as requested under rule 1.370 and if the party requesting the admissions thereafter…