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Sprague v. Coral Cadillac, Inc.

Citations: 515 So. 2d 376; 12 Fla. L. Weekly 2617; 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 10993Docket: Nos. 4-86-2952, 4-86-3120

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; November 11, 1987; Florida; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Frances Sprague appealed a summary judgment in favor of Coral Cadillac, Inc. and General Motors Corporation. The court reversed the judgment, emphasizing that summary judgment is only appropriate when there is no genuine issue of material fact. In this case, there was a genuine question regarding whether carbon monoxide poisoning caused Sprague's heart attack. Coral Cadillac and General Motors did not sufficiently demonstrate the absence of such issues. The decision to grant summary judgment was deemed improper, leading to the reversal and remand of the case. Judges Downey and Letts concurred with the ruling.

Legal Issues Addressed

Burden of Proof in Summary Judgment

Application: Coral Cadillac and General Motors failed to sufficiently demonstrate the absence of genuine issues of material fact, leading to the reversal of summary judgment.

Reasoning: Coral Cadillac and General Motors did not sufficiently demonstrate the absence of such issues.

Genuine Issue of Material Fact

Application: There was a genuine question about whether carbon monoxide poisoning caused Sprague's heart attack, which precluded summary judgment.

Reasoning: In this case, there was a genuine question regarding whether carbon monoxide poisoning caused Sprague's heart attack.

Reversal and Remand

Application: The improper granting of summary judgment resulted in the case being reversed and remanded for further proceedings.

Reasoning: The decision to grant summary judgment was deemed improper, leading to the reversal and remand of the case.

Summary Judgment Standards

Application: Summary judgment is only appropriate when there is no genuine issue of material fact, which was not the case here.

Reasoning: The court reversed the judgment, emphasizing that summary judgment is only appropriate when there is no genuine issue of material fact.