Defense Victory: Ayala Law Defeats Motion for New Trial in Florida Business Litigation

We recently secured an important post-trial victory for our client in a Florida business litigation matter after the Circuit Court for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Broward County denied the opposing party’s Motion for New Trial and Rehearing.

Our attorneys Eduardo A. Maura, Orestes D. Garcia, and Gabriel Sierra represented the client throughout the litigation and post-trial proceedings.

The ruling is significant because obtaining a jury verdict is not always the end of a commercial lawsuit. Even after trial, the losing or dissatisfied party may ask the judge to set aside portions of the verdict and conduct a new trial. Here, the Plaintiff attempted to do exactly that, and the Court denied the request.

What Happened?

The case involved claims arising from the purchase of a CNC saw used in the stone-fabrication industry. The matter proceeded to a three-day jury trial in August 2026. By the time the case went to the jury, the remaining claims included negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract.

On the breach-of-contract claim, the Court entered a directed verdict concerning $34,723 associated with the trade-in machine. The jury was then asked to determine whether additional damages should be awarded. Although the jury found a contractual breach, it awarded zero additional damages on that claim.

The Plaintiff subsequently moved for a new trial and rehearing under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.530, arguing that the zero-damages verdict was contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence and legally inadequate.

Can You Get a New Trial After a Florida Jury Verdict?

A party dissatisfied with a jury’s decision may file a motion for new trial under Florida law, but filing the motion does not mean the case will automatically be tried again.

Among other grounds, a party may contend that a verdict is against the “manifest weight of the evidence” or that a damages award is legally inadequate. The important distinction is that a motion for new trial is not simply an opportunity to retry arguments that the jury already considered.

In opposing the motion, the defense emphasized that weighing conflicting evidence and determining witness credibility are traditionally functions of the jury. The defense argued that the Plaintiff had not established clear and undisputed additional damages that required setting aside the jury’s determination.

What Happens When a Business Cannot Prove Its Damages at Trial?

This case also illustrates an important lesson for businesses involved in Florida breach of contract litigation: proving that something went wrong is not necessarily the same as proving recoverable monetary damages.

The Plaintiff argued that it had suffered additional losses involving financing payments, employee wages, equipment downtime, and allegedly affected jobs. The defense responded that much of the claimed additional damages lacked documentary or sufficiently definite monetary support and that the trial evidence was disputed.

That distinction can become critical at trial. A business seeking contract damages generally must present evidence that allows the factfinder to connect the alleged breach to a legally recoverable and sufficiently established financial loss.

Why Are Motions for New Trial Important in Florida Commercial Litigation?

A favorable trial result may still require substantial post-trial litigation. Motions for new trial can seek another opportunity to litigate damages, challenge the jury’s evaluation of the evidence, or alter an otherwise favorable result.

For businesses defending these motions, the response often requires careful examination of the trial record, the evidence actually introduced, the jury instructions, and whether the moving party is attempting to obtain another opportunity to prove damages it did not sufficiently establish at trial.

The defense argued precisely that principle, contending that a party that failed to establish its claimed additional damages at trial should not receive a second opportunity to do so through a new trial.

Broward County Court Denies the Motion for New Trial

On September 24, 2026, Circuit Judge Daniel A. Casey entered an order denying the Plaintiff’s Motion for New Trial and Rehearing. The Court’s order confirms that it considered both the Plaintiff’s motion and the defense’s opposition before denying the requested relief. The order leaves intact the trial result challenged by the Plaintiff and represents another significant litigation result for Ayala Law. Litigation Litigation Litigation

For Florida businesses, the case is also a reminder that successful litigation strategy does not end when the jury leaves the courtroom. Effective representation requires protecting a client’s position through trial, post-trial motions, and, when necessary, appellate proceedings.

Need legal help? Please don’t hesitate to contact one of our experienced attorneys at 305-570-2208. 

You can also contact our team directly at: arianna@ayalalawpa.com                       

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[The opinions in this blog are not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about the particulars of your case].