Case Name: William Lunham, Plaintiff in Error, v. Lottie DeMerritt, Defendant in Error
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1922-06-06
Citations: 83 Fla. 708
Docket Number: 
Parties: William Lunham, Plaintiff in Error, v. Lottie DeMerritt, Defendant in Error.
Judges: Browne, C. J. and Taylor, Whitfield and West, J. J., concur.
Reporter: Florida Reports
Volume: 83
Pages: 708–716

Head Matter:
William Lunham, Plaintiff in Error, v. Lottie DeMerritt, Defendant in Error.
Opinion Filed June 6, 1922.
In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, where liability appears, but the damages awarded in the judgment are manifestly excessive, a remittitur will be permitted to be entered, and in default thereof a new trial will be granted by the appellate court. And this may be done even though the trial court had permitted a remittitur of a part of the amount found by the verdict, and had rendered judgment upon the remittitur for an amount less than that stated in the verdict.
A Writ of Error to the Circuit Court for Dade County; H. Pierre Branning', Judge.
Judgment Reversed if Remittitur is Entered.
R. F. Burdine and W. J. Oven for Plaintiff in Error;
Bart A. Riley, R. B. Gauntier and Harry Hawkins, for Defendant in Error.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
In an action for personal injuries caused by an automobile being operated in a city street, the plaintiff obtained a verdict for $12,000.00 At the suggestion of the trial court a remittitur of $4,500.00 was entered and judgment rendered for $7,500.00. The defendant on writ of error argues that liability as alleged is not proven, and that the damages adjudged are excessive. A ground of liability within the allegations appears from the evidence, but notwithstanding the remittitur entered, the judgment is excessive in view of the entire record. Tampa Electric Co. v. Gaffga, 81 Fla. 268, 87 South. Rep. 922, and authorities cited.
If a remittitur of $2,500.00 is entered within, thirty days the judgment will stand affirmed for $5,000.00; otherwise a new trial is granted.
It is so ordered.
Browne, C. J. and Taylor, Whitfield and West, J. J., concur.
Ellis, J. dissents.