On Sept. 21, 1991, a vehicle driven by Oscar Bradley in Holmes County collided with another vehicle, injuring Donald J. Prockup, Sr., and killing Inez Prockup. Mr. Prockup later petitioned the Escambia County Probate Court to appoint Robert May as administrator ad litem of Bradley's estate. Prockup alleged he had a claim against Bradley's estate because of the accident. After a complex series of legal proceedings, May filed a "bad faith" action against Illinois National based on an insurance policy it had issued to Bradley. The federal district court granted summary judgment in favor of Illinois National, and on appeal, the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals certified a question to the Florida Supreme Court regarding the interpretation of Florida law.