Opinion
Nos. 87-537, 87-541.
August 18, 1988. On Motion for Rehearing and Clarification November 10, 1988.
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Putnam County; Robert R. Perry, Judge.
Woodrow "Mac" Melvin, Jr. and W. Wyndham Geyer, Jr., of Ruden, Barnett, McClosky, Smith, Schuster Russell, P.A., Miami, for appellant Universal Mobility, Inc.
Dan B. Guernsey, of Welbaum, Zook Jones, Miami, for appellant U.S. Fire Ins. Co.
Edward Hedstrom of Hedstrom Smith, Palatka and S. Gordon Blalock of Blalock, Holbrook Akel, Jacksonville, for appellee Daniel B. Sheffield.
Robert M. Foster and William S. Graessle of Mahoney Adams Milam Surface Grimsley, P.A., Jacksonville, for appellee Sheffield Steel Products, Inc.
The final judgment appealed from is modified to provide that appellant U.S. Fire Insurance Company, as surety, is liable thereon only to the extent of its obligation on the surety bond. As so modified, the judgment is
AFFIRMED.
SHARP, C.J., and DAUKSCH and ORFINGER, JJ., concur.
ON MOTION FOR REHEARING AND MOTION FOR CLARIFICATION
We grant appellee's motion for rehearing and clarify our decision dated August 18, 1988 to hold that pursuant to section 713.76, Florida Statutes (1987) and the language of the surety bond, appellant U.S. Fire, as surety, is liable on the judgment to the extent of its obligation on the bond, plus costs, although the addition of costs may exceed the penal amount of the bond. The surety is additionally liable for attorney's fees by way of statute, section 627.428(1), Florida Statutes (1987), independent of the language of the bond. See Financial Indemnity Co. v. Steele Sons, Inc., 403 So.2d 600 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981). U.S. Fire Insurance Company's motion for clarification is denied.
SHARP, C.J., and DAUKSCH and ORFINGER, JJ., concur.