Case Name: City of Plant City, Plaintiff in Error, v. Flora Muse, by her husband, J. H. Muse, and J. H. Muse, Defendants in Error
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1916-02-08
Citations: 71 Fla. 126
Docket Number: 
Parties: City of Plant City, Plaintiff in Error, v. Flora Muse, by her husband, J. H. Muse, and J. H. Muse, Defendants in Error.
Judges: All concur, except -Cockrell, J., absent by reason of sickness.
Reporter: Florida Reports
Volume: 71
Pages: 126–127

Head Matter:
City of Plant City, Plaintiff in Error, v. Flora Muse, by her husband, J. H. Muse, and J. H. Muse, Defendants in Error.
Opinion filed February 8, 1916.
Where the evidence does not clearly show liability and the verdict is excessive, a new trial should be granted.
Writ of Error to Circuit Court, Hillsborough County; F. M. Robles, Judge.
Judgment reversed.
G. B. Wells, for Plaintiff in Error;
A. X. Erickson, for Defendants in Error.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
A judgment for $2,000.00 was obtained against the city as damages for personal injuries to- Flora Muse alleged to have been caused by falling in a hole in or near a sidewalk in the defendant city. The city took writ of error.
In important particulars this case is unlike that of City of Key West v. Baldwin, 69 Fla. 136, 67 South. Rep. 808, and the decision in that case is not controlling here.
The evidence does not clearly show that the serious ailments testified to were the proximate result of the fall alleged, to have been caused by the defendant's negligence, and the amount of the damages awarded is excessive and indicates that the finding was in part at least predicated upon such insufficient evidence.
The liability of the city was earnestly contested, and it is not clearly established.
The judgment is reversed and a new trial granted.
All concur, except -Cockrell, J., absent by reason of sickness.