FILED

September 9, 1997

Cecil Crowson, Jr.

Appellate Court Clerk

I N THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

EASTERN SECTI ON

RANDALL E. DESKI NS, e t ux. ) SEVI ER COUNTY

) 03A01- 9701- CV- 00023

Pl a i ntif f s - Appe lla nt s )

)

)

v. ) HON. REX HENRY OGLE,

 ) J UDGE

) 

BEULAH M. WI LLI AMS ) AFFI RMED I N PART; REMI TTI TUR 

) SUGGESTED I N PART; a nd

De f e nda nt - Appe l l e e ) REMANDED

ROBERT L. OGLE, J R. , OF SEVI ERVI LLE FOR APPELLANTS

J AMES Y. ( BO) REED OF KNOXVI LLE a nd DWI GHT E. STOKES OF

SEVI ERVI LLE FOR APPELLEE

 O P I N I O N

 Godda r d, P. J .

Ra nda l l E. De s ki ns a nd hi s wi f e The l ma J e a n De s ki ns ,

a ppe a l a j udgme nt of t he Ci r c ui t Cour t f or Se vi e r Count y, e nt e r e d

pur s ua nt t o a j ur y ve r di c t , whi c h di s mi s s e d t he i r c l a i m a ga i ns t

Be ul a h M. Wi l l i a ms f or pe r s ona l i nj ur i e s s uf f e r e d by Mr . De s ki ns

a nd l os s of c ons or t i um a nd s e r vi c e s by Mr s . De s ki ns , r e s ul t i ng

f r om a n a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt oc c ur r i ng on J une 3, 1989. Mr .
2

De s ki ns a l s o a ppe a l s a j udgme nt i n f a vor of t he or i gi na l

De f e nda nt a nd Count e r - Pl a i ntif f , Be ul a h M. Williams .

The j ur y f ound Mr . De s ki ns t o be 100 pe r c e nt a t f a ul t

i n t he a c c i de nt a nd t ha t Ms . Wi l l i a ms ha d s uf f e r e d da ma ge s i n t he

a mount of $20, 000 a s a r e s ul t of t he i nj ur i e s s he r e c e i ve d.

The De s ki ns e s a ppe a l r a i s i ng t he f ol l owi ng i s s ue s :

I . WHETHER THE TRI AL COURT ERRED I N I TS RULI NGS

RELATI VE TO THE FORTY- FI VE ( 45) MPH SPEED SI GN BEI NG

PROPERLY ERECTED AFTER THE APPELLANTS RAI SED THE

QUESTI ON OF THE AUTHENTI CI TY AND NON- COMPLI ANCE OF

T. C. A §55- 8- 152, ET SEQ.

II. WHETHER THE TRI AL COURT ERRED I N NOT EXCLUDI NG THE

TESTI MONY OF THE STATE TROOPERS RELATI VE TO THE SPEED

OF APPELLANTS' VEHI CLE.

III. WHETHER THERE I S NO MATERI AL EVI DENCE TO SUPPORT

THE VERDI CT I N THAT THE PHYSI CAL FACTS CAN NOT BE

RECONCI LED WI TH THE DI RECT TESTI MONY OF THE APPELLEE

AND HER WI TNESSES.

I V. WHETHER THE VERDI CT OF THE J URY FI NDI NG THAT THE

APPELLANT, DESKI NS, WAS GUI LTY OF ONE HUNDRED ( 100%)

PERCENT NEGLI GENCE THAT CAUSED THE ACCI DENT AND NOT

FI NDI NG THE APPELLEE COMPARATI VELY NEGLI GENT I N ANY

AMOUNT I NDI CATES PREJ UDI CE AGAI NST THE APPELLANTS AND

UNACCOUNTABLE CAPRI CE ON THE PART OF THE J URY.

APPELLEE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GUI LTY OF NEGLI GENCE AS A

MATTER OF LAW.

V. WHETHER THERE WAS MATERI AL EVI DENCE TO SUPPORT THE

EXORBI TANT J UDGMENT RENDERED BY THE J URY, I N FAVOR OF

APPELLEE, I N THE AMOUNT OF TWENTY THOUSAND ( $20, 000. 00)

DOLLARS.

The a c c i de nt gi vi ng r i s e t o t hi s a ppe a l oc c ur r e d, a s

a l r e a dy not e d, on J une 3, 1989, a bout 9: 00 a . m. The s un wa s
3

s hi ni ng, t he r oa d wa s dr y, a nd t he we a t he r pl a ye d no f a c t or i n

its c a us a tion.

Ms . Williams wa s dr i vi ng a ve hi c l e in a nor t he r l y

di r e c t i on on J one s Cove Roa d, a l s o known a s St a t e Rout e 339.

J one s Cove Roa d i nt e r s e c t s i n a T i nt e r s e c t i on wi t h Ol d Ne wpor t

Hi ghwa y, a l s o known a s ol d U. S. Rout e 411, a t t he s c e ne of t hi s

a c c i de nt . Mr . De s ki ns , dr i vi ng a 1987 Me r c e de s a ut omobi l e , wa s

pr oc e e di ng i n a n e a s t e r l y di r e c t i on on Ol d Ne wpor t Hi ghwa y a nd,

a f t e r c r e s t i ng a hi l l s ome 100 ya r ds f r om t he i nt e r s e c t i on, wa s

una bl e t o s t op be f or e t he f r ont of hi s ve hi c l e c ol l i de d wi t h t he

l e f t f r ont of Ms . Wi l l i a ms ' ve hi c l e , whi c h wa s pr oc e e di ng nor t h

on J one s Cove Roa d a nd ha d pul l e d i nt o t he i nt e r s e c t i on i nt e ndi ng

t o t ur n l e f t , or we s t , on Ol d Ne wpor t Hi ghwa y.

Mr . De s ki ns ' s ve hi c l e l e f t s ki d ma r ks of 130 f e e t pr i or

t o s t r i ki ng Ms . Williams ' ve hi c l e .

Ac c or di ng t o Ms . Wi l l i a ms , s he s t oppe d a t t he s t op s i gn

f a c i ng he r on J one s Cove Roa d, dr ove up t o a whi t e l i ne s ome f e w

f e e t nor t h of t he s t op s i gn, s t oppe d a ga i n, t he n pr oc e e de d i nt o

t he i nt e r s e c t i on a f t e r l ooki ng bot h wa ys a nd obs e r vi ng no

t r a f f i c . She t e s t i f i e d t ha t af t e r t he i mpact he r ve hi c l e wa s

knoc ke d ba c kwa r d a nd, upon t r a ve l i ng i n ha l f - c i r c l e c our s e ,

ultima t e l y c a me to r e s t a ga i ns t the out s i de wa ll of Howa r d' s

Gr oc e r y, whi c h wa s l oc a t e d i n t he s out hwe s t qua dr a nt of t he

i nt e r s e c t i on. ( Se e Appe ndi x. ) 
4

A di s i nt e r e s t e d witne s s te s tif i e d tha t Ms . Williams ,

upon obs e r vi ng Mr . De s ki ns be a r i ng down upon he r , s t oppe d, put

t he ve hi c l e i n r e ve r s e , and, af t e r i mpact , backe d i t aga i ns t t he

Howa r d Gr oc e r y St or e Bui l di ng.

The pr oof wa s a l s o i n s ha r p di s put e a s t o whe t he r t he

c a r wa s in dr i ve a t the time it hit the buildi ng, a s Ms . Williams

t e s tif i e d, o r wa s in r e ve r s e , a s te s tif i e d by the di s i nt e r e s t e d

wi t ne s s , who al s o t e s t i f i e d t ha t af t e r t he acci de nt he pl aced t he

ge a r i n pa r k a nd r e move d t he ke ys .

Al t hough muc h of t he t e s t i mony, a s a bove not e d, i s i n

di s put e , t he e vi de nc e i s a l mos t una ni mous t ha t a t t he t i me Ms .

Williams s t a r t e d pulling int o the int e r s e c tion, Mr . De s ki ns

ve hi c l e wa s not i n s i ght .

Apr opos of t he f i r s t i s s ue , t he De s ki ns e s c ont e nd t he

Tr i a l Cour t wa s i n e r r or i n c ha r gi ng t he j ur y t ha t t he a r e a i n

que s t i on wa s s ubj e c t t o a 45- mi l e s pe e d l i mi t a nd t ha t i f Mr .

De s ki ns wa s t r a ve l i ng i n e xc e s s of 45 mi l e s pe r hour he wa s

gui l t y of ne gl i ge nc e pe r s e . The y ba s e t he i r c ont e nt i on on t he

pr oof de ve l ope d i n t he i r mot i on i n limi ne whi c h s howe d t ha t

i ns of a r as t he r ecor ds we r e ava i l a bl e no act i on wa s t a ke n by t he

pr ope r c ount y or s t a t e of f i c i a l s t o r e duc e t he ge ne r a l s t a t e - wi de

s pe e d limit whi c h, a t the time of the a c c i de nt, wa s 55 mile s pe r

hour .
5

Bot h pa r t i e s ci t e t he case of Thoma s v. Ha r pe r , 53

Te nn. App. 549, 564, 385 S. W. 2d 130, 138 ( 1964) , whi c h, a s

pe r tine nt to thi s a ppe a l s t a t e d the f ollowi ng:

T. C. A. § 59- 853 [ now 55- 8- 153] , a mong ot he r t hi ngs

a ut hor i z e s t he l e gi s l a t i ve a ut hor i t y of t owns a nd

c itie s to pr e s c r i be s pe e d limits withi n c e r t a i n a r e a s

or z one s or on de s i gna t e d hi ghwa ys , a ve nue s , s t r e e t s i n

t he i r r e s pe c tive jur i s di c tions , a nd to e r e c t

a ppr opr i a t e s i gns a nd t r a f f i c s i gna l s . Whe r e t he pr oof

i s t he r e wa s a s pe e d s i gn, a nd no que s t i on ma de wi t h

r e s pe c t t o i t s r e gul a r i t y, t he pr e s umpt i on of

r e gul a r i t y a nd c ompl i a nc e wi t h l a w whi c h a ppe r t a i ns

unt i l t he c ont r a r y i s s hown woul d ma ke t he f a c t of i t s

pr e s e nce admi s s i bl e .

A l a t e r c a s e , a ut hor e d by J udge Fr a nks , J ohns on v.

Ca l f e e , a n unr e por t e d opi ni on of t hi s Cour t , f i l e d i n Knoxvi l l e

on Apr i l 21, 1988, a l s o i nvol ve d a T- i nt e r s e c t i on a nd t he

a ppl i c a bi l i t y of a s pe e d z one s i gn. The pr oof i n t ha t c a s e

s howe d t ha t a s i gn wa s er ect e d s ome mi l e or mi l e and a ha l f f r om

t he s c e ne of t he a c c i de nt , but t he Hi ghwa y Pa t r ol ma n who

i nve s tiga t e d the a c c i de nt c oul d not te s tif y tha t it wa s va lidl y

pos t e d or whe t he r i t a ppl i e d t o t he s e c t i on of t he r oa d whe r e t he

a c c i de nt oc c ur r e d. Addi t i ona l l y, t he r e wa s t e s t i mony f r om t he

Br a dl e y Count y Cl e r k, who ha d he l d t hi s pos i t i on f or 25 ye a r s ,

t ha t he s ear c he d t he mi nut e s of t he l e gi s l a t i ve enact me nt s of

Br a dl e y Count y a nd f ound no l e gi s l a t i ve e na c t me nt a ut hor i z i ng t he

r e duc t i on of t he s pe e d l i mi t .
6

Unde r t he s e ci r c ums t a nces we he l d t he Tr i a l Cour t ha d

not s uf f i c i e nt l y c ha r ge d t he j ur y r e ga r di ng t he di s put e d que s t i on

of s pe e d l i mi t , a nd i n doi ng s o s t a t e d t he f ol l owi ng:

Whe r e t he vi ol a t i on of t he s t a t ut or y r ul e s of t he

r oa d i s a t i s s ue a nd t he r e i s e vi de nc e f r om whi c h t he

j ur y c oul d f i nd a vi ol a t i on of one or mor e s t a t ut or y

r ul e s t he s ubmi s s i on of e a c h of t he s t a nda r ds s houl d be

ma de wi t h a cl ear and conc i s e expl a na t i on. Mor e ove r ,

it is we ll- s e ttle d tha t a pa r t y is e ntitle d to ha ve hi s

t he or y of t he c a s e a nd t he a ppl i c a bl e l a w s ubmi t t e d t o

t he j ur y. Mc Cl a r d v. Re i d, 190 Te nn. 337, 229 S. W. 2d

505 ( 1950) .

Whe r e t he r e i s evi de nce of a pos t e d s peed l i mi t

a nd no que s t i on i s ma de a s t o i t s r e gul a r i t y or

va l i di t y t he r e i s a pr e s umpt i on t ha t t he pos t e d s pe e d

i s in c ompl i a nc e wi t h the law. Thoma s v. Ha r pe r , 55

Te nn. App. 594, 385 S. W. 2d 130 ( 1964) . Howe ve r , i f t he

pos t e d s pe e d s i gn wa s pl a c e d wi t hout s t a t ut or y

a ut hor ity, the f a ilur e of a mot or i s t to he e d its

r e s t r i c t i ons c oul d be ne gl i ge nc e but he s houl d not be

pe na l i z e d wi t h t he c ons e que nc e s of t he r ul e of

ne gl i ge nc e pe r s e of vi ol a t i ng a s t a t ut e , s e e Woodf i n,

e t a l . v. I ns e l , e t a l . , 13 Te nn. App. 493 ( 1931) , s i nc e

a s t a t ut or ily e s t a blis he d s pe e d limit pr e va ils ove r

s pe e d s i gns e r e c t e d wi t hout s t a t ut or y a ut hor i t y. Hor ne

v. Pa l me r , 38 Te nn. App. 354, 274 S. W. 2d 372 ( 1954) .

The s peed of pl a i nt i f f ' s ve hi c l e as i t r e l a t e d t o

t he la wf ul s pe e d limit wa s c r uc i a l to the de t e r mi na tion

by the tr i e r of f a c t a s to whe t he r pl a i ntif f wa s

ne gl i ge nt . Ac c or di ngl y, t he t r i a l c our t s houl d ha ve

i ns t r uc t e d t he j ur y on t he s t a t ut e s pe r t a i ni ng t o

e s t a blis hi ng s pe e d limits a nd the pl a i ntif f ' s dutie s

t he r e unde r , l e a vi ng t o t he j ur y t he de t e r mi na t i on of

t he l a wf ul s peed whe r e t he acci de nt occur r e d as

de t e r mi ne d f r om t he l a w a s gi ve n by t he c our t a nd t he

e vi de nc e of f e r e d by t he pa r t i e s .

I n t he c a s e a t ba r t he onl y pr oof a s t o of f i c i a l a c t i on

t a ke n t o r e duc e t he s pe e d l i mi t wa s t ha t of s t a t e a nd c ount y

of f i c i a l s who s a y t ha t , i ns of a r as t he i r r ecor ds ar e ava i l a bl e ,

no f or ma l a c t i on ha d be e n t a ke n t o r e duc e t he s pe e d l i mi t a s t o
7

t hi s a r e a . Howe ve r , t he pr oof i s undi s put e d t ha t a 45- mi l e s pe e d

z one s i gn ha d be e n i n pl a c e s i nc e a t l e a s t 1974, a nd ha d be e n

ma i nt a i ne d a nd r e pl a c e d f r om ti me to ti me by s t a t e of f i c i a l s. 

Gi ve n t hi s pr oof a nd t he f ur t he r f a c t t ha t t he s pe e d l i mi t s i gn

wa s a " s t a nda r d" one , we c onc l ude t ha t t he pr e s umpt i on ma nda t e d

i n Thoma s ha s not be e n ove r c ome a nd t ha t t he Tr i a l J udge wa s not

i n e r r or i n hi s c ha r ge t o t he j ur y.

Wi t h r e ga r d t o t he s e c ond i s s ue , onl y t hr e e wi t ne s s e s

t e s tif i e d a s to the s pe e d of Mr . De s ki ns ' ve hi c l e in mile s pe r

hour , a l t hough Ms . Wi l l i a ms ' mot he r , who wa s s i t t i ng on t he

pa s s e nge r s i de of t he f r ont s e a t , di d s t a t e t ha t whe n t he De s ki ns

c a r came over t he hi l l i t "l ooke d l i ke i t was a i r bor ne . " Two of

t he t hr ee wi t ne s s e s whos e t e s t i mony ar e as s a i l e d ar e St a t e

Tr oope r s who t e s t i f i e d t ha t upon c onduc t i ng wha t i s known a s a

dr a g t e s t t he ne xt da y a f t e r t he a c c i de nt , t he y c onc l ude d t he

s pe e d of Mr . De s ki ns ' ve hi c l e e xc e e de d 45 mi l e s pe r hour . The

de vi c e t ha t wa s us e d t o c onduc t t he t e s t i s a por t i on of a c a r

t i r e ( a ppr oxi ma t e l y one - f our t h) , whi c h wa s a t t a c he d t o a s e t of

s c a l e s a nd pul l e d a l ong t he pa ve me nt a t t he s c e ne of t he

acci de nt . By t he us e of t hi s de vi ce t he y we r e abl e t o cal c ul a t e

t he c oe f f e c i e nt of f r i c t i on be t we e n t he r oa d a nd t he t i r e . Upon

c or r e l a t i ng t he c oe f f e c i e nt of f r i c t i on, t he l e ngt h of t he s ki d

ma r ks a nd a f or mul a de vi s e d by t he Tr a f f i c I ns t i t ut e of

Nor t hwe s t e r n Uni ve r s i t y, t he y we r e a bl e t o a r r i ve a t t he s pe e d of

t he ve hi c l e .
8

One of the obj e c tions to the i r te s timony is tha t the y

we r e not s uf f i c i e nt l y t r a i ne d t o c onduc t s uc h a t e s t . I n t hi s

r e ga r d, one of t he t r oope r s ha d a 10- we e k ba s i c t r a i ni ng c our s e ,

c ons i s t i ng of t wo we e ks of a c c i de nt i nve s t i ga t i on s c hool .

Addi t i ona l l y, he ha d a t t e nde d a t wo- we e k s c hool on a dva nc e d

a c c i de nt i nve s t i ga t i on. He ha d i nve s t i ga t e d ove r 100 a ut omobi l e

a c c i de nt s a nd ha d be e n t r a i ne d i n t he us e of t he dr a g t e s t t o

de t e r mi ne s peed.

The ot he r t r oope r ha d be e n a me mbe r of t he Hi ghwa y

Pa t r ol f or 18 a nd one - ha l f ye a r s . He ha d a t t e nde d t he

Nor t hwe s t e r n I ns t i t ut e Uni ve r s i t y of Nor t h Fl or i da . He ha d a

ba s i c t r a i ni ng f or t hr e e we e ks a nd a dva nc e d t r a i ni ng f or a n

a ddi t i ona l t hr e e we e ks a nd, s t i l l f ur t he r , r e c ons t r uc t i on s t udi e s

f or a n a ddi t i ona l t wo we e ks . He ha d i nve s t i ga t e d ove r 200

a c c i de nt s a nd ha d be e n t r a i ne d i n t he us e of t he dr a g t e s t .

The t hi r d wi t ne s s wa s a s e ni or ve hi c l e acci de nt

r e c ons t r uc t i oni s t . Al t hough he di d not c onduc t t he t e s t s , he

us e d t he r e s ul t s t he r e of t o f or m a n opi ni on a s t o t he s pe e d of

t he De s ki ns ve hi c l e .

Gi ve n t he wi de di s c r e t i on a c c or de d a t r i a l j udge i n

a dmi t t i ng or r e j e c t i ng e xpe r t t e s t i mony, Ot i s v. Ca mbr i dge Mut ua l

Fi r e Ins . Co. , 850 S. W. 2d 439 ( Te nn. 1992) ; Buc ha na n v. Ha r r i s ,

902 S. W. 2d 941 ( Te nn. App. 1995) , we c onc l ude he di d not a bus e hi s
9

di s c r e tion in a dmitting te s timony of the thr e e e xpe r t s a s s a ile d

by i s s ue t wo.

I n r e a c hi ng our de c i s i on we a r e not unmi ndf ul t ha t t he

t e s t empl oye d wa s t he l eas t accur a t e of t hos e t ha t mi ght be us e d

( a ve hi c l e of t he s a me mode l or a r ubbe r t i r e d s l e d) , or t ha t i n

t he i r initia l te s timony the witne s s e s we r e not de duc ting the 10-

f oot whe e l ba s e of Mr . De s ki ns ' ve hi c l e f r om t he l e ngt h of s ki d

ma r ks . Howe ve r , al l t hr ee wi t ne s s e s we r e s ubj ect t o r i gor ous

c r os s - e xa mi na t i on whi c h poi nt e d out t o t he j ur y t he de f i c i e nc i e s

of t he i r t e s t i mony a nd t he t e s t e mpl oye d. Fi na l l y, we obs e r ve

t ha t t he De s ki ns ve hi c l e onl y s t oppe d a f t e r c r a s hi ng i nt o t he

Wi l l i a ms ve hi c l e , a nd undoubt e dl y t he s ki d ma r ks woul d ha ve be e n

l onge r ha d t he c ol l i s i on not oc c ur r e d.

As t o i s s ue s t hr e e a nd f our , we f i nd t he r e i s

s ubs t a ntia l ma t e r i a l e vi de nc e tha t Ms . Williams s t oppe d a t the

s t op s i gn, pr oc e e de d f ur t he r , s t oppe d a ga i n, a nd t ha t t he

De s ki ns ' ve hi c l e wa s not i n s i ght whe n s he e nt e r e d t he

i nt e r s e c tion. Whe t he r he r a c tions in a ttempting to e xt r i c a t e

he r s e l f f r om a n e me r ge nc y s i t ua t i on c ons t i t ut e d ne gl i ge nc e wa s a n 

i s s ue f or t he j ur y, whi c h r e s ol ve d t he que s t i on i n he r f a vor .

As t o t he f i na l i s s ue , t he pr oof s hows t ha t Ms .

Wi l l i a ms i nc ur r e d me di c a l e xpe ns e s of $1135. 75. She r e c e i ve d

onl y mi nor i nj ur i e s whi c h s he , a s t he onl y wi t ne s s t e s t i f yi ng

with r e ga r d the r e t o, d e t a ile d a s f ollows :
10

Q. All r i ght. Now, a f t e r the impa c t wha t

ha ppe ne d wi t h your ve hi c l e ? Af t e r t he i mpa c t wi t h Mr .

De s ki ns ' ve hi c l e , wha t ha ppe ne d t o your ve hi c l e ?

A. I t we nt ba c kwa r ds i nt o t he s t or e .

Q. Di d you ha ve a n i mpa c t wi t h t he s t or e ?

A. Ye s .

Q. Oka y, phys i c a l l y wha t ha ppe ne d t o you a t t he

time of the initia l impa c t with Mr . De s ki ns ' ve hi c l e ?

A. I hi t my he a d a nd e ve r yt hi ng wa s j us t s or t of

bl ur r y s i nc e t he n.

Q. Wha t s e ns a t i ons di d you ha ve a f t e r t he i mpa c t

with Mr . De s ki ns ' ve hi c l e , in the imme di a t e ?

A. Tha t I wa s s pi nni ng. The c a r wa s s pi nni ng.

Q. We r e you a wa r e of whe n your c a r f i na l l y c a me

t o r e s t or hit the s t or e its e l f ?

A. Ye a h, my mot he r s poke t o me .

Q. Wha t di d you do t he n a f t e r t he i mpa c t a ga i ns t

t he s t or e ?

A. I t r i e d t o put t he c a r i n ge a r a nd i t

woul dn' t go, i t wa s s t i l l i n dr i ve . And I t ur ne d t he

mot or of f a nd t he ke y woul dn' t c ome out a nd we got out

of t he car .

Q. Oka y. Wha t di d you do t he n?

A. We we nt i nt o t he s t or e f or a f e w mi nut e s ,

c ome ba c k out a nd we nt t o t he hos pi t a l .

Q. Di d an ambul a nce come ?

A. Ye s .

Q. And di d you - - di d t he s a me a mbul a nc e t a ke

you a nd Mr . De s ki ns ?

A. Ye s .

Q. And wa s t he r e a nyt hi ng s a i d be t we e n you a nd

Mr . De s ki ns a t tha t time ?

A. Ye s . I wa s c r yi ng a nd he t ol d me , don' t

wor r y a bout i t , i t woul d be a l l r i ght .
11

Q. Wa s t he r e anyt hi ng el s e t ha t wa s s a i d?

A. No.

Q. And we r e you bot h s ome wha t s ha ke n up a t t ha t

time ?

A. Ye s .

Q. And wha t ha ppe ne d wi t h you a t t he hos pi t a l ?

A. The y r un a CAT s c a n a nd x- r a ys a nd l e t me go.

Q. And wha t wa s your c ondi t i on - - wha t a l l we r e

hur t wi t h you?

A. J us t t he ba ng on t he he a d a nd a f e w c ut s a nd

s c r a pe s .

Q. Whe r e di d you ha ve your c ut s a nd s c r a pe s ?

A. I ha d s ome on my l e f t s houl de r .

Q. And a s f a r a s your he a d wa s c onc e r ne d, ove r

t he ne xt c oupl e of da ys , wha t ha ppe ne d wi t h you? Wa s

t he r e a ny br ui s e s t ha t de ve l ope d or a ny ma r ki ngs ?

A. We l l , my e ye s t ur ne d bl a c k a nd s we l l e d up

a r ound t he m.

Q. Oka y di d you go ba c k t o t he doc t or ?

A. Ye s .

Q. And who di d you go s e e t he n?

A. I we nt ba c k t o t he e me r ge nc y r oom.

Q. And wha t wa s done a t t ha t t i me ?

A. The y x- r a ye d i t a ga i n a nd s a i d i t wa s

pr oba bl y c a us e d by my gl a s s e s pr e s s i ng i nt o my f a c e .

Q. Oka y. Ms . Williams , b a s i c a lly a f t e r tha t di d

you ge t oka y?

A. Ye s .

Q. Ar e you be a r i ng a ny r e pe r c us s i ons t oda y f r om

t he acci de nt at al l ?

A. No.
12

Q. Wi t hi n a pe r i od of j us t da ys or we e ks a f t e r

t he acci de nt ha d you r ecove r e d f r om t he acci de nt ?

A. Ye s .

Q. Af t e r t ha t s e c ond t i me whe n you we nt ba c k t o

t he hos pi t a l t o c he c k a bout be i ng bl a c k a r ound your

e ye s a nd a l l , a nd t he y' r e t a ki ng t hos e x- r a ys , di d you

ha ve t o s e e k a ny ot he r me di c a l a t t e nt i on?

A. No.

Unde r T. C. A. 20- 10- 103( a ) , t hi s Cour t ha s a ut hor i t y t o

gr a nt a r e mi t t i t ur i f i t f i nds a n a wa r d t o be " be yond t he r a nge

of r e a s ona bl e ness. " Smith v. She lton, 569 S. W. 2d 421 ( Te nn.

1978) . Whi l e r e c ogni z i ng s uc h a de t e r mi na t i on i s f or t he mos t

pa r t s ubj e c t i ve , we ne ve r t he l e s s c onc l ude unde r t he f a c t s of t hi s

c a s e t he a wa r d of $20, 000 wa s be yond t he r a nge of r e a s ona bl e ne s s

a nd a r e mittitur of $10, 000 is s ugge s t e d. Ms . Williams will ha ve

30 da ys a f t e r r e ma nd t o t he Ci r c ui t Cour t wi t hi n whi c h t o a c c e pt

t he r e mittitur . If s he doe s not, a ne w tr i a l will be gr a nt e d on

t he que s t i on of da ma ge s .

For t he f or e goi ng r e a s ons t he j udgme nt of t he Tr i a l

Cour t a s t o t he or i gi na l c ompl a i nt i s a f f i r me d, a nd a s t o t he

c r os s - c ompl a i nt a r e mi t t i t ur i s s ugge s t e d. The caus e i s r e ma nde d

t o t he Ci r c ui t Cour t f or Se vi e r Count y f or f ur t he r pr oc e e di ngs

not i nc ons i s t e nt wi t h t hi s opi ni on a nd c ol l e c t i on of t he r e mi t t e d

j udgme nt , i f a c c e pt e d, a nd of c os t s be l ow. Cos t s of a ppe a l a r e

a dj udge d one - ha l f a ga i ns t t he De s ki ns e s a nd one - ha l f a ga i ns t Ms .

Williams .
13

_______________________________

Hous t on M. Godda r d, P. J .

CONCUR:

________________________________

Cha r l e s D. Sus a no, J r ., J .

________________________________

Wi l l i a m H. I nma n, Sr . J .