Case Name: Maria DIAZ, Appellant, v. XTRA SUPER FOOD CENTERS, INC., Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1991-05-28
Citations: 579 So. 2d 893
Docket Number: No. 90-2350
Parties: Maria DIAZ, Appellant, v. XTRA SUPER FOOD CENTERS, INC., Appellee.
Judges: Before SCHWARTZ, C.J., and NESBITT and COPE, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 579
Pages: 893–893

Head Matter:
Maria DIAZ, Appellant, v. XTRA SUPER FOOD CENTERS, INC., Appellee.
No. 90-2350.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
May 28, 1991.
Guillermo Sostchin and Gregg Pessin, Miami, for appellant.
Gaebe, Murphy, Mullen & Antonelli, and Mark Antonelli, Coral Gables, for appellee.
Before SCHWARTZ, C.J., and NESBITT and COPE, JJ.

Opinion:
SCHWARTZ, Chief Judge.
Mrs. Diaz, a sixty-one year old lady, sued Xtra Super Food Centers, Inc. for injuries caused by a slip and fall at its store. According to each of the three doctors who testified, including a board certified orthopedist who examined her for the defense, she sustained a 50% compression fracture to a lumbar vertebra, a permanent injury which will cause pain throughout her life. There were undisputed unreimbursed medical expenses of $3,200.00 and lost wages of $560.00. A jury found total damages of $5,000.00.
We hold that this award — which allocates less than $1,300.00 for all the other damage items, including the intangibles — was grossly inadequate to compensate Mrs. Diaz for the permanent and serious injury she undeniably suffered. See Griffis v. Hill, 230 So.2d 143 (Fla.1969); Dorvil v. Purolator Courier Corp., 578 So.2d 294 (Fla. 3d DCA 1991); Powers v. Johnson, 562 So.2d 367 (Fla. 2d DCA 1990), review dismissed, 570 So.2d 1304 (Fla.1990); Goff v. 392208 Ontario Ltd., 539 So.2d 1158 (Fla. 3d DCA 1989). On that basis, the cause is remanded for a new trial on damages only.
Reversed and remanded.
. The jury also found the plaintiff guilty of 60% comparative negligence. No issue is made on appeal of the 60%-40% split in the liability determination.