Opinion ID: 444550
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Remittitur and the Scope of the Conditional New Trial

Text: 66 In light of the excessiveness of the awards, we order a new trial on the issue of damages unless plaintiff agrees to remit all damages in excess of $800,000 as to Brent and $40,000 as to Harry. See Wheatley v. Ford, 679 F.2d at 1039; O'Gee v. Dobbs Houses, Inc., 570 F.2d 1084, 1089-90 (2d Cir.1978). 67 We note that a new trial limited to the question of damages is permissible here, since the issue to be retried is sufficiently distinct from the other issues that a separate trial may be had without injustice, see Gasoline Products Co. v. Champlin Refining Co., 283 U.S. 494, 500, 51 S.Ct. 513, 515, 75 L.Ed. 1188 (1931); Fed.R.Civ.P. 59(a); and is appropriate since special interrogatories discretely dealing with the liability questions and the damage awards were put to the jury, see Crane v. Consolidated Rail Corp., 731 F.2d 1042, 1050 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 105 S.Ct. 179, 83 L.Ed.2d 114 (1984); Akermanis v. Sea-Land Service, Inc., 688 F.2d 898, 906 (2d Cir.1982), cert. denied, 461 U.S. 927, 103 S.Ct. 2087, 77 L.Ed.2d 298 (1983); Rivera v. Farrell Lines, Inc., 474 F.2d 255, 259 n. 5 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 414 U.S. 822, 94 S.Ct. 122, 38 L.Ed.2d 55 (1973). The trial judge clearly instructed the jury not to consider the measure of damages unless it found plaintiff entitled to recover from one or more of the defendants, and we see no basis for supposing that the jury confused the issues. 68 If plaintiff agrees to the remittitur, the liability of Revy and Kawasaki on the judgment shall be in accordance with the jury's apportionment of fault, taking into account the reduction already made herein on account of Brent's contributory negligence, and Cutro shall remain vicariously liable to the extent of Revy's liability. If a new trial is held, a judgment entered on the new verdicts shall reflect the first jury's apportionment of fault and Cutro's vicarious liability.