Florida Court Reverses $24 Million Verdict, Remands for New Trial

MIAMI -- A Florida appellate court has reversed a $24 million verdict, ruling that the trial court erred when it permitted a prejudicial letter to be admitted into evidence and omitted third parties from the verdict sheet. Honeywell International Inc. v. Guilder, et al., No. 3D08-1747 (Fla. 3rd Dist. Ct. App.).

In the Oct. 28 opinion, the Third District Court of Appeal also held that the plaintiff's children could not recover damages for loss of parental consortium and remanded the case for a new trial.

The underlying claims involved Stephen Guilder's alleged exposure to asbestos, which he claims to have …