ATLANTIC FOOD SUPPLY COMPANY
v.
JOHN A| WELDON
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The Florida Supreme Court reviewed a judgment for a plaintiff injured in an automobile collision, addressing claims of confusing jury instructions and an excessive verdict. The court found any confusion in instructions was favorable to the defendant and that the verdict was indeed excessive.
The court held that while some jury instructions may have caused confusion, any confusion was favorable to the defendant and thus harmless. However, the court agreed that the jury's verdict was excessive.
“The elements of the instructions, however, which might have caused confusion were favorable to the defendant and, therefore, if any error occurred it was error favorable to the defendant and of which it could not complain.”
This quote explains the court's reasoning for finding the jury instructions, despite potential confusion, not grounds for reversal.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceThe plaintiff sued for damages resulting from an automobile collision. The defendant appealed a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, arguing that the j…
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The appeal brings for review judgment in favor of the plaintiff in a suit wherein plantiff sought damages for injuries sustained in an automobile collision.
It appears that the promulgation of an opinion discussing at length the several contentions presented can serve no useful purpose. The chief contention of the appellant is that the instructions of the court to the jury were contradictory and confusing. The.record discloses that some confusion might have arisen in the minds of the jury by reason of the manner in which the instructions were given, as well as by reason of the contents of those instructions. The elements of the instructions, however, which might have caused confusion were favorable to the defendant and, therefore, if any error occurred it was error favorable to the defendant and of which it could not complain. The instructions which appear to have been favorable to the plaintiff and of which the appellant complains, correctly enunciate the law. The error in this regard, if any, was harmless.
Appellant also contends, and we think with just cause, that the verdict of the jury was excessive.
If the plaintiff will enter remittitur in the court below within fifteen days of the going down of the mandate in the sum of $1,000.00, the remainder of the judgment in the sum of $2500.00 will stand affirmed as of the date thereof. Otherwise, the judgment is reversed for a new trial.
So ordered.
BROWN, C. J., WHITFIELD and ADAMS, JJ„ concur.