Case ID: so2d_514/html/0082-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "DAUKSCH, Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

LAUXMONT FARMS, INC., and Lauxmont Bloodstock, Inc., Appellants, v. Walter W. ZENTNER, Appellee.
    No. 87-3.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
    Oct. 29, 1987.
    Robert B. White, Jr., of White & May, Orlando, for appellants.
    Bruce B. Blackwell of King & Blackwell, P.A., Orlando, for appellee.
   DAUKSCH, Judge.

This is an appeal from a default judgment awarding unliquidated damages without trial. Although a default judgment can be entered to establish liability, a trial with proper notice is necessary to establish unliquidated damages. Bowman v. Kingsland Dev., Inc., 432 So.2d 660 (Fla. 5th DCA 1983); Fla.R.Civ.P. 1.440(c). The trial court’s award of unliquidated compensatory damages by a default judgment was therefore error. See Buffington v. Torcise, 504 So.2d 490 (Fla. 3d DCA 1987); Turner v. Allen, 389 So.2d 686 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980); B/G Amusements, Inc. v. Mystery Fun House, Inc., 381 So.2d 318 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980). We find no error in regard to appellant’s other points on appeal.

AFFIRMED in part; REVERSED in part; REMANDED.

UPCHURCH, C.J., and SHARP, J., concur.