Opinion ID: 720636
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evian's Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law

Text: 42 In Counts I and II of Evian's complaint, it alleged, on goods sold and account stated theories, that Valley owed $367,907.03 for product that was delivered, but for which Valley never paid. To prove Count I, Evian showed that it delivered the water in question to Valley, that Valley accepted delivery, and that Valley failed to pay Evian's invoices. To prove Count II, Evian showed that it had stated an account for the specified sum, and that Valley had not objected within a reasonable time, or paid. The jury ruled in Evian's favor on Count I, but awarded damages of only $186,676.85--slightly more than half of Evian's invoices. The verdict was against Evian on Count II. Evian then moved for judgment as a matter of law pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 50(b), arguing that it was entitled to the whole sum claimed. The district court denied the motion. 43 We review the denial of Evian's motion for judgment as a matter of law de novo. Song v. Ives Labs. Inc., 957 F.2d 1041, 1046 (2d Cir.1992). We will grant judgment as a matter of law only where there is such a complete absence of evidence supporting the verdict that the jury's findings could only have been the result of sheer surmise and conjecture, or ... there is such an overwhelming amount of evidence in favor of the movant that [a] reasonable and fair minded [jury] could not arrive at a verdict against him. Mattivi v. South African Marine Corp., 618 F.2d 163, 168 (2d Cir.1980). In making this assessment, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to Valley, and give it the benefit of all reasonable inferences the jury might have drawn in its favor. Smith v. Lightning Bolt Productions, Inc., 861 F.2d 363, 367 (2d Cir.1988). 44 The district court ruled without explanation that the evidence was such that the jury could reasonably [have] arriv[ed] at the verdict it did. Giving Valley every benefit of the doubt, we nevertheless disagree. As to Evian's first count, the jury found in its special verdict that Evian had proved Valley's acceptance of the goods at issue. This finding is not contested by Valley. The jury, however, answered, No, to the question whether Evian was entitled to recover the full $367,907.03 and, as noted, went on to award a considerably smaller amount. The only matter at issue here is whether Evian was entitled as a matter of law to the full amount. 45 Valley's argument on appeal in support of the jury verdict on Count I is uncompelling. Valley argues that the invoices presented by Evian at trial were copies, presumably calling into question their reliability, and that Evian's account statements for Valley fluctuated, initially showing that Valley owed more than the money ultimately claimed by Evian, suggesting that Evian's record keeping was too poor to be reliable. Neither point could have persuaded a reasonable jury. The fluctuation in Valley's account statement is entirely consistent with Evian's invoices, simply reflecting the posting of various credits and debits--none of which Valley specifically challenges. Nor was there evidence that Evian had forged or altered the invoices. Indeed, Valley's own books confirmed the amount of Evian's billing. In short, Valley points to no evidence that contradicts or calls into question Evian's entitlement to full payment. We conclude that Evian was entitled as a matter of law to the full amount of its invoices for these shipments of water to Valley. 46 As to Count II, the claim based on Evian's account stated, the district court instructed the jury that if it found Evian had sent a statement of account to Valley, and Valley did not object within a reasonable time, it must award Evian damages in the full amount requested. Valley raises no objection to the charge. It did not contest receiving account statements, nor proffer evidence that it ever objected to the statements. Indeed, Valley's own internal accounting records reflected a debt due to Evian of $367,907.03. Nor does Valley point to evidence that would justify any reduction in payment as a setoff. 13 Under the circumstances, there was no valid basis for the jury's rejection of Evian's claim for the stated account. 47 We therefore reverse the district court's ruling, and direct entry of judgment for Evian in the full amount of its invoices under the alternative theories set forth in Counts I and II.