Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

death, no notice, incapacitation, hospitalization all may be valid excuses, but it truly depends on the situation. If you know of a conflict with the time in advance then you should talk to your attorney. If you don't have an attorney you really should consider getting one before you submit to a deposition.

In addition, insufficient notice is a defense.

I was served with a subpoena for deposition (non-party to the suit) 24 hours before I was to appear to testify, and I told the lawyers to take a long leap off a short pier. Completely insufficient notice.