Florida Patient's Compensation Fund v. Coxon

In these consolidated appeals, appellants, Florida Patient’s Compensation Fund (“FPCF”) and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Inc. (“St. Joseph’s”), both appeal the trial court’s single final judgment requiring each appellant to pay a pro rata share of the attorney’s fees awarded to appellee pursuant to section 768.56, Florida Statutes (1981). FPCF argues that the legislative scheme encompassed within chapter 768 does not contemplate FPCF being liable for attorney’s fees as a part of a “claim” which FPCF may be obligated to pay. St. Joseph’s argues that once they have paid their entry level limits (in…