Torts -- Automobile accident -- No abuse of discretion in denial of motion for new trial following jury verdict
finding no liability on part of towing company and sheriff for accident which occurred when plaintiff's
tractor-trailer caught tow cable stretched from two steel booms on rear of wrecker, causing cable to snap, cut
through top of plaintiff's cab, and graze plaintiff's head -- Argument -- Although remarks by defense counsel
expressing personal opinions and attempting to discredit plaintiff's treating physicians were improper, comments
were not so highly prejudicial as to deny plaintiff fair trial Reported at
33 Fla. L. Weekly D690b
Torts -- Product liability -- Dismissal -- Spoliation of evidence -- Trial court erred in dismissing action against
distributors of marble edge polishing wheel which allegedly broke into pieces while plaintiff was operating a
grinder with the polishing wheel attached, with a piece striking plaintiff in the eye, on the ground that the
polishing wheel, the grinder, and safety glasses had been lost by plaintiff -- Extensive photographs of the
polishing wheel had been made, and plaintiff asserted that he can prove his claim based on the photographs and
other specimens of the allegedly defective product -- Parties can be placed on equal footing by limiting the
plaintiff to photographic evidence which is available to both parties -- Defendant will not be left completely
unable to defend without the spoliated product -- Where decision to dismiss is based on defense expert's opinions
of prejudice, plaintiff should have opportunity to test those opinions in
discovery Reported at
33 Fla. L. Weekly D692a Courtesy of Florida Law Weekly Subscriptions (800) 351-0917
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