Case Name: David G. SHEETS and Carolyn Sheets, husband and wife, Plaintiffs-Respondents, v. AGRO-WEST, INC., an Idaho corporation; Layton Noe, Defendants-Appellants
Court: Idaho Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Idaho
Decision Date: 1983-06-07
Citations: 104 Idaho 880
Docket Number: No. 14382
Parties: David G. SHEETS and Carolyn Sheets, husband and wife, Plaintiffs-Respondents, v. AGRO-WEST, INC., an Idaho corporation; Layton Noe, Defendants-Appellants.
Judges: SWANSTROM, J, concurs.
Reporter: Idaho Reports
Volume: 104
Pages: 880–890

Head Matter:
664 P.2d 787
David G. SHEETS and Carolyn Sheets, husband and wife, Plaintiffs-Respondents, v. AGRO-WEST, INC., an Idaho corporation; Layton Noe, Defendants-Appellants.
No. 14382.
Court of Appeals of Idaho.
June 7, 1983.
Robert M. Tyler, Jr., Elam, Burke, Evans, Boyd & Koontz, Boise, for defendants-appellants.
William F. Gigray, III, Gigray, Miller, Downen & Weston, Caldwell, for plaintiff s-respondents.

Opinion:
WALTERS, Chief Judge.
Defendants Agro-West, Inc. and its employee Layton Noe (hereinafter "AgroWest") appeal from an order granting a new trial to plaintiffs David and Carolyn Sheets (hereinafter "Sheets") to redetermine the comparative negligence of the parties and the amount of damages for personal injury. Agro-West argues that we should alter the standard of review for new trial motions; that the broad trial court's discretion to order a new trial — subject only to review for manifest abuse of discretion— violates the right to jury trial guaranteed by our state and federal constitutions; and that, in any event, the trial court abused its discretion in granting a new trial. We reject these arguments and affirm the order of the trial court granting a new trial.
Agro-West is a commercial distributor of farm chemicals. On June 22,1978, a chemical spill occurred at Agro-West's facility near Wilder, Idaho. The chemical spilled was Terr-o-cide 30-D. In response to a request from Layton Noe, manager of Agro-West, Idaho Concrete and Pipe Company dispatched its employee, David Sheets, to deliver a load of road mix — a mixture of sand, gravel and dirt — to be spread on the spill. While spreading the mix, Sheets drove his truck through the spill and immediately began experiencing physical reactions from exposure to the fumes of the chemical. His eyes watered, he began coughing and had difficulty breathing. He was able to stop his truck and escape the fumes before passing out. Since that time, he has complained of, and has been treated for, a number of physical ailments and discomforts allegedly caused by the incident.
Sheets and his wife brought suit in negligence for damages against Agro-West and Noe. By special verdict, the jury found Sheets eighty-seven percent negligent, found Agro-West and Noe thirteen percent negligent, and made an award of damages to Sheets. Because a plaintiff suing for negligence in Idaho cannot recover damages where his negligence equals or exceeds that of the defendant, I.C. § 6-801, the jury's assessment of negligence precluded recovery of damages by Sheets.
Sheets moved for a new trial. The court granted Sheets' motion, citing I.R.C.P. 59(a)(5) and 59(a)(6). Under Rule 59(a)(5), a new trial may be granted because of excessive or inadequate damages, appearing to have been given under the influence of passion or prejudice. Under Rule 59(a)(6), a new trial may be granted because of the insufficiency of the evidence to justify the verdict or other decision, or that it is against the law.
We will first consider Agro-West's contention that a new standard should be applied to review a trial court's grant of a new trial. The present standard of review is that "the determination of a new trial motion is largely within the discretion of the trial court and [the appellate court] will not overrule the grant or denial of the motion absent a manifest abuse of discretion." Rowett v. Kelly Canyon Ski Hill, Inc., 102 Idaho 708, 709, 639 P.2d 6, 7 (1981). This standard has, as its foundation, the premise that the trial judge has had the opportunity to observe the parties, witnesses, and counsel during the trial and can better judge whether a fair trial was had and substantial justice was done. Rowett, supra, 102 Idaho at 710, 639 P.2d at 8.
The standard which Agro-West urges upon us is the "substantial evidence" standard which our Supreme Court has applied to motions for judgment n.o.v. "[A] motion for judgment n.o.v. should not be granted when there is substantial competent evidence to support the verdict of the jury." Mann v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 95 Idaho 732, 735, 518 P.2d 1194, 1197 (1974). Agro-West bases its argument for a different standard on the increase in time, monetary expense, and uncertainty which results from the grant of a second trial. It argues that the substantial rights of the prevailing litigants are ignored and fundamental unfairness results when a new trial is ordered. AgroWest cites Lind v. Schenley Industries, Inc., 278 F.2d 79 (3rd Cir.1960), cert. denied, 364 U.S. 835, 81 S.Ct. 58, 5 L.Ed.2d 60 (1960), as authority for the proposition that "closer appellate scrutiny" is required where a new trial is granted on the basis that a jury's verdict is against the weight of the evidence. The implication is that closer appellate scrutiny means a higher standard to be applied in reviewing a grant of a new trial motion.
However, we note that in Mann the Idaho Supreme Court explicitly considered and rejected the application of the "substantial evidence" standard to new trial motions. In Mann, the court reaffirmed its' support for the rule permitting the trial court to exercise its discretion in deciding new trial motions. 95 Idaho at 736, 518 P.2d at 1198; see also Dinneen v. Finch, 100 Idaho 620, 626, 603 P.2d 575, 581 (1979).
A motion for new trial serves a function entirely distinct from a motion for judgment n.o.v. C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure, Civil § 2531. A judgment n.o.v. is recognized as "a delayed motion for directed verdict." Mann, 95 Idaho at 736, 518 P.2d at 1198. A directed verdict should be granted only when the evidence is so clear and undisputed that all reasonable minds must reach the same conclusion. Shields & Co., Inc. v. Green, 100 Idaho 879, 606 P.2d 983 (1980); Lombard v. Cory, 95 Idaho 868, 522 P.2d 581 (1974). A directed verdict or judgment n.o.v. is grounded on the principle that, while issues of fact are for the jury to decide, whether the evidence is sufficient to create an issue of fact is a question of law for the court. Wright & Miller, supra, Civil § 2524.
A motion for new trial, if granted, does not result in an adjudication of factual issues by the court. Neither does it represent a determination that, as a matter of law, the evidence failed to establish an issue of fact. It is the court's statement that it believes the jury erred in its findings or in the application of law as contained in the court's instructions, and that the issues should be submitted to another jury for redetermination. Because a jury will still determine the factual issues, the standard for granting a new trial is much less rigorous than that applied to motions for directed verdict or judgment n.o.v. Wright & Miller, supra, Civil § 2531. A motion for new trial should be granted if the court believes that the jury verdict "is not in accord with law or justice." Seppi v. Betty, 99 Idaho 186, 189, 579 P.2d 683, 686 (1978), quoting Warren v. Eshelman, 88 Idaho 496, 500, 401 P.2d 539, 541 (1965). Implicit in this statement is the recognition that where reasonable minds could disagree, but the trial court believes the jury verdict is in error, the benefit of arriving at a legally correct and just resolution of a dispute through a new trial outweighs the disadvantage of uncertainty, time and expense incident to continued litigation.
We conclude that the "substantial evidence" standard is not appropriate for new trial motions. To adopt such a standard would, in effect, eliminate new trial motions, and leave a trial court with a choice between granting a judgment n.o.v. or acquiescing in what the court believes to be a flawed verdict. We do not believe that a trial court should be limited in this fashion.
Agro-West correctly cites Lind, supra, for the proposition that "closer appellate scrutiny" is required when a new trial is granted because a verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Agro-West argues that this "scrutiny" can best be made where the trial court is required to specifically articulate its reasons for granting a new trial. Although this argument has considerable merit, it does not follow that "closer appellate scrutiny" requires a higher standard to be met on review. We believe that an appropriate review of an exercise of discretion, whether concerning new trial motions or other motions in which a court may exercise discretion, requires only that we review the circumstances of the case and the grounds upon which the trial court based its decision, to ascertain that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. To facilitate a meaningful review of the court's exercise of discretion on a new trial motion, the court should state on the record the reasons which it believes support a new trial, as well as the grounds, provided by rule or statute, on which the court bases its order for a new trial. See Rosenberg, Judicial Discretion of the Trial Court, Viewed From Above, 22 Syracuse L.Rev. 635 (1971). However, our Supreme Court has adhered to the position that, where the trial court grants a new trial, failure to state why the court felt the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict does not constitute reversible error. Luther v. Howland, 101 Idaho 373, 375, 613 P.2d 666, 668 (1980). We are constrained to abide by this view.
Agro-West next argues that the "manifest abuse of discretion" standard violates Article I, section 7 of the Idaho Constitution, which provides that "[t]he right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate," and the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, which provides that "the right of trial by jury shall be preserved . . " However, it is well settled that the Seventh Amendment does not apply to the states in so far as the right to a jury trial in civil cases is concerned. Pearson v. Yewdall, 95 U.S. 294, 24 L.Ed. 436 (1877); Walker v. Sauvinet, 92 U.S. 90, 23 L.Ed. 678 (1875); see cases cited in 47 Am. Jur.2d Jury § 9 (1969). As to the alleged violation of the state constitution, we note that the power to grant new trials is not claimed to be unconstitutional; rather it is the wide discretion given to the district court under the "manifest abuse of discretion" standard of review, which Agro-West claims "disturbs" and "infringes" upon the jury's role as factfinders, and allegedly violates the state constitution.
The constitutional right of trial by jury has been interpreted to secure that right as it existed at common law when the Idaho Constitution was adopted. People v. Burnham, 35 Idaho 522, 207 P. 589 (1922); Christensen v. Hollingsworth, 6 Idaho 87, 53 P. 211 (1898). Before Idaho became a state, our territorial Supreme Court had recognized the trial court's discretionary function in ruling upon new trial motions. Monarch G. & S.M. Co. v. McLaughlin, 1 Idaho 650, 652 (1877). After statehood, the court later enunciated the "abuse of discretion" standard of review in Jacksha v. Gilbert, 4 Idaho 738, 44 P. 555 (1896). Thus the constitutional right to trial by jury in civil cases, under the state constitution, is subject to the trial court's discretionary power to grant a new trial. The limits of this power are defined by the "abuse of discretion" standard of review. Because the discretionary power to grant a new trial does not contravene the state constitution, the abuse of discretion appellate standard is also free from constitutional infirmity.
We turn now to Agro-West's contention that even if the abuse of discretion standard applies here, then the trial court's order granting a new trial should be reversed. Agro-West argues that the jury had been properly instructed as to the apportionment of negligence and comparative negligence, that the evidence supports a finding of eighty-seven percent negligence on the part of Sheets, and that, therefore, it is uncertain that a retrial would have a different result. Agro-West relies upon Rowett v. Kelly Canyon Ski Hill, Inc., 102 Idaho 708, 709, 639 P.2d 6, 7 (1981), where our Supreme Court, citing Blaine v. Byers, 91 Idaho 665, 429 P.2d 397 (1967), admonished that "a new trial should not be granted unless it appears that a different result would follow a retrial." The "result" test is the second part of a two pronged analysis which the trial court must make, in deciding whether to grant a motion for new trial. The first part of that test was stated in Blaine:
[T]he discretion with which the trial court is entrusted [to grant or deny a new trial] is a sound legal or judicial discretion, and the trial court may grant a new trial when it is satisfied the verdict is not supported by, or is contrary to, the evidence, or is convinced the verdict is not in accord with the clear weight of the evidence and that the ends of justice would be subserved by vacating it, or when the verdict is not in accord with either law or justice.
91 Idaho at 671, 429 P.2d at 403. The Court in Blaine then stated that "[additionally . a new trial should not be granted unless it appears that a different result would follow a retrial." Id.
Here the trial judge, in granting the new trial, recited that the verdict was against the clear weight of the evidence and that the ends of justice would be served by vacating the verdict on the question of comparative negligence. Implicitly, by granting the motion for new trial, the trial judge believed that there would be a different result on retrial. Upon our view of the record, we conclude that the trial judge's belief was reasonable.
The jury's allocation of causative negligence has questionable support in the record. The record shows that Sheets was aware of the chemical spill. His supervisor cautioned him about it, he smelled the odor of the chemical as he approached the site, he was stopped at a road block that was blocking public access to the spill, and he saw the chemical on the ground. Sheets testified that, when he arrived, Noe told him only to make one pass to spread the road mix on the spill and that when he talked to Noe, his truck was facing the spill. Noe testified that he told Sheets that he had a chemical spill, that he wanted Sheets to dump the road mix parallel to the spill and that a tractor would push the road mix into the spill area. Noe also testified that he told Sheets that the chemical would make his eyes water and would make him cough. However, a report which Noe prepared within four days of the spill, and which supplemented a report filed with the Department of Transportation, included the statement "I told him to . . try to dump his load over [the] spill or right next to it."
The record also shows that Agro-West and Noe had, or should have had, far greater knowledge than Sheets concerning the potential harmful effects of the chemical involved and the recommended precautions and procedures for clean-up of such spills. Noe and Agro-West were in possession of a material-safety data sheet which contained such information. Potential harmful effects included lacrimation (watering of eyes), bronchitis, vomiting, severe skin irritation, C.N.S. (presumably "central nervous system") depression, and eye and upper respiratory irritation. Cleanup precautions included providing workers with approved respirators for small spills, self-contained air supplies for large spills, protective clothing including goggles or full-face shield, liquid-proof outer clothing, gloves and rubber boots. Sheets did not have access to any of this information and was not provided with any protective accoutrements.
The jury had been instructed that: The precautions taken by a person responsible for a dangerous place or instru mentality must be commensurate with the dangers to be apprehended and be sufficient under ordinary circumstances to prevent accident and injury; furthermore, the duty to anticipate injury and take protective action is measured in part by the seriousness of the danger; . Persons in charge of property owe to an invitee or business visitor the duty to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition, or to warn the invitee of hidden or concealed dangers of which the . . one in charge knows or should know by the exercise of reasonable care in order that the invitee be not . unreasonably exposed to danger;
. it was the duty of the plaintiff David G. Sheets immediately before and at the time of the occurrence to use ordinary care for his own safety.
While the fact of the chemical spill was not hidden or concealed, the risk of harm was not obvious to Sheets and the warning given was not sufficient to discharge AgroWest's duty of care to Sheets. Contributory negligence depends on the plaintiff's appreciation, or opportunity to appreciate, the peril in a condition rather than the physical characteristics of the condition. Lopez v. Allen, 96 Idaho 866, 870, 538 P.2d 1170, 1174 (1975). Considering the jury's allocation of negligence, the seriousness of the risk and the disparity of knowledge of the potential harmful effects and recommended precautions, we are not persuaded that the trial court abused its discretion in granting a new trial on the issue of liability and comparative negligence.
Agro-West also argues that the trial court abused its discretion in granting a new trial on the issue of damages. The court ruled that, in answering the special questions on damages, the answers of the jury appeared to have been given under the influence of passion and prejudice and that the amounts determined as damages by the jury were inadequate and were not supported by the evidence.
As with the question of granting a new trial on the issue of liability, the "manifest abuse of discretion" standard applies to our review of the order granting a new trial on the issue of damages. Dinneen v. Finch, 100 Idaho 620, 603 P.2d 575 (1979). Moreover,
[wjhere a motion for a new trial is premised on inadequate or excessive damages, the trial court must weigh the evidence and then compare the jury's award to what he would have given had there been no jury. If the disparity is so great that it appears to the trial court that the award was given under the influence of passion or prejudice, the verdict ought not stand. It need not be proven that there was in fact passion or prejudice nor is it necessary to point to such in the record. The appearance of such is sufficient. A trial court is not restricted to ruling a verdict inadequate or excessive "as a matter of law." [Citation omitted.] Additionally, the rule that a verdict will not be set aside when supported by substantial but conflicting evidence has no application to a trial court ruling upon a motion for a new trial. [Citations omitted.] (Emphasis in original.)
100 Idaho at 625-26, 603 P.2d at 680-81.
Sheets' evidence of damages may be summarized as follows. After Sheets was exposed to the fumes of the spilled chemical, Terr-o-cide 30-D, arid got out of his truck, he was taken to the hospital, examined, and released two days later. Examinations then and later showed only some irritation of Sheets' throat and a slight reduction in his lung capacity. However, since that time, he has suffered from a persistent cough (which was diagnosed as bronchitis),, headaches, chest pains, insomnia, breathing difficulties, a loss of sex drive and increased sensitivity to dust, odors, fumes and smoke. His sensitivity was severe enough that he gave up his job with Idaho Concrete and was unsuccessful at several other attempts to work in different situations. In addition, he developed anxiety, high levels of stress, and depression. Following three years of treatment by his family physician, by a specialist in internal medicine and lung disease, and by two psychologists, Sheets' physical and psychological problems had not been resolved.
Several doctors, including Agro-West's expert witness, testified that, in their opinion, Sheets' problems were directly related to the accident. Agro-West's medical expert, a psychiatrist, testified that the stress or trauma which Sheets experienced — rather than the effects of the chemical — may have been responsible for Sheets' symptoms and that Sheets' symptoms might be more psychological than physical in origin. One of Sheets' medical witnesses, an expert on the toxic effect of chemicals, testified that the compounds that make up Terr-o-cide 30-D would cause physical effects similar to those suffered by Sheets.
There was expert testimony that Sheets' condition was treatable, but might not be curable, and that treatment might continue for anywhere from six months to five years or more. Testimony was given that Sheets lost earnings up to the trial date exceeding $38,000. There was evidence that his lost future earnings amounted to about $286,000 and loss of past and future household services amount to about $50,000. Sheets submitted proof of medical expenses amounting to over $7000. In the face of this evidence, the jury awarded damages totaling $46,839.-29, including $5000 for pain and suffering, $4400 for future reasonable medical services, $5000 for lost income prior to trial, about $22,000 for lost future income, and $3000 to Carolyn Sheets for damages to marital relations.
I.R.C.P. 59(a)(5) allows a court to order a new trial if the jury awards "excessive damages or inadequate damages, appearing to have been given under the influence of passion or prejudice." Where the difference between the jury's damage award and the amount the trial court would have awarded is so great as to suggest, but not establish, passion or prejudice, the granting of a new trial is appropriate. Dinneen v. Finch, 100 Idaho 620, 603 P.2d 575 (1979). The trial court here found such a disparity in awards and ordered a new trial. We hold there was no abuse of discretion.
The order of the trial court, directing that a new trial be held is affirmed.
SWANSTROM, J, concurs.