DANIA HERNANDEZ
v.
WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB

Fla. 3d DCA | 2026-01-14
No. 2024-1955
Arzola, J., Fernandez, J., Gordo, J., Gooden, J.
2026 FL 445 Florida District Court of Appeal, Third District (2026)

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Holding

A trial court's decision to impose sanctions for discovery violations is reviewed for abuse of discretion and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of that discretion.


Headnotes

[1] The striking of pleadings or entry of default for noncompliance with a discovery order is the most severe sanction available and should be employed only in extreme circum…

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Key Quotes

“It is well settled that determining sanctions for discovery violations is committed to the discretion of the trial court, and will not be disturbed upon appeal absent an abuse of the sound exercise of that discretion.”

Ham v. Dunmire, 891 So. 2d 492, 495 (Fla. 2004)

Facts & Procedural History

Dania Hernandez appealed a sanctions order imposed by the trial court in a case against Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB. The sanctions were impos…

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Opinion of the Court
Gooden

Third District Court of Appeal State of Florida

Opinion filed January 14, 2026. Not final until disposition of timely filed motion for rehearing.

________________

No. 3D24-1955 Lower Tribunal No. 13-30875-CA-01 ________________

Dania Hernandez, Appellant,

vs.

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, Appellee.

An Appeal from the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, Antonio Arzola, Judge.

David J. Winker, P.A., and David J. Winker, for appellant.

Law Offices of Manganelli, Leider & Savio, P.A., and Melisa Manganelli (Boca Raton), for appellee.

Before FERNANDEZ, GORDO and GOODEN, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

2

Affirmed. See Ham v. Dunmire, 891 So. 2d 492, 495 (Fla. 2004) (“It is well settled that determining sanctions for discovery violations is committed to the discretion of the trial court, and will not be disturbed upon appeal absent an abuse of the sound exercise of that discretion.”); Mercer v. Raine, 443 So. 2d 944, 946 (Fla. 1983) (“We agree that the striking of pleadings or entering a default for noncompliance with an order compelling discovery is the most severe of all sanctions which should be employed only in extreme circumstances. A deliberate and contumacious disregard of the court’s authority will justify application of this severest of sanctions, as will bad faith, willful disregard or gross indifference to an order of the court, or conduct which evinces deliberate callousness.”) (internal citations omitted); Green v. Mann, 420 So. 3d 501, 504 (Fla. 4th DCA 2025) (“The trial court’s order delineated the Kozel factors, made the requisite findings, and the record supports such findings.”).


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