SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO.
v.
ELOISE J. DIXON, ET VIR.

Fla. | 1939-11-17
Whitfield, P. J., and Brown and Chapman, J. J., concur., Terrell, C. P., concurs in opinion and judgment., Justices Buford and Thomas not participating as authorized by Section 4687, Compiled General Laws of 1927, and Rule 21-A of the Rules of this Court.
140 Fla. 514 Florida Supreme Court (1939)
Also reported at: 192 So. 186

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Synopsis

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed a personal injury judgment for a customer who fell on store stairs, but ordered a new trial on damages for the wife unless she accepted a reduced award, finding the original award excessive.


Holding

The damages awarded to the wife were excessive. However, there were no reversible procedural errors. The judgment will be affirmed if the wife remits $800.00 of her award; otherwise, a new trial will be granted solely on the issue of damages for the wife.


Key Quotes

“There is evidence to sustain a finding of liability of the defendant, and no reversible error of procedure is made to appear.”

Establishes that the court found sufficient evidence for liability and no procedural errors.

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Facts & Procedural History

Eloise J. Dixon, the wife, suffered personal injuries from a fall on the stair steps of a Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store. She alleged the fall …

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Opinion of the Court
Pee Curiam. —

Pee Curiam. —

In an action for personal injuries to the wife caused by a fall on the stair steps in a department store, attributed to alleged negligence of the defendant in allowing the stair steps to become in a dangerous and unsafe condition, verdict and judgment were rendered awarding $2,500.00 to the wife and $500.00 to the husband.

There is evidence to sustain a finding of liability of the defendant, and no reversible error of procedure is made to appear. However the damages awarded the wife are excessive in amount. If the plaintiff remits $800.00 of the damages allowed the wife, the judgment will stand affirmed for the amounts remaining; otherwise a new trial will be granted as to the damages to the wife.

It is so ordered.

Whitfield, P. J., and Brown and Chapman, J. J., concur.

Terrell, C. P., concurs in opinion and judgment.

Justices Buford and Thomas not participating as authorized by Section 4687, Compiled General Laws of 1927, and Rule 21-A of the Rules of this Court.


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