State Farm v. Donnelly — affirmed the trial court without a written explanation

Case
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Patrick Donnelly, Jr.
Court
Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal
Judge
SMITH (Ron DeSantis, 2022); GANNAM (Ron DeSantis, 2023)
Date Decided
July 28, 2026
Docket No.
6D2025-0426
Topics
Insurance; Appeals; Per Curiam Affirmance
Source
Read the full opinion

Background

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company appealed a decision of the Circuit Court for Osceola County in litigation involving Patrick Donnelly, Jr. Circuit Judge Christine E. Arendas presided over the lower-court proceeding, which was docketed as case number 2022-CA-002644.

The appellate opinion does not describe the parties’ dispute, the trial court’s ruling, the issues raised on appeal, or the arguments advanced by either side.

The Court’s Holding

The Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the circuit court’s decision. The court issued a per curiam affirmance consisting only of the word “AFFIRMED.”

Because the court provided no reasoning, the opinion does not announce a legal rule or explain the grounds supporting affirmance. Judges Smith, Gannam, and Kamoutsas concurred.

Key Takeaways

  • The Sixth District left the circuit court’s ruling in place.
  • The court issued a per curiam affirmance without explaining its reasoning.
  • The opinion supplies no facts, legal analysis, or statement of the appellate issues.

Why It Matters

The decision resolves this appeal in Donnelly’s favor by preserving the result below, but it offers no written guidance on Florida insurance law or appellate doctrine. Its significance therefore lies primarily in the disposition of this particular case rather than in any articulated precedent.

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