Opinion ID: 524093
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Verdict Directing Instructions

Text: 36 Defendants challenge the instructions given against those defendants accused of using excessive force, claiming that the instructions are in error because they did not expressly require the jury to find (1) that the force applied inflicted unnecessary and wanton pain and suffering and (2) that the plaintiff was damaged. 37 It is true that the verdict directing instructions did not expressly require a finding that the force used by the corrections officials inflicted unnecessary and wanton pain and suffering. Each verdict director, however, referred the jury to Instruction No. 11's definition of cruel and unusual punishment, which stated that the force used must involve the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain. The two instructions taken together correctly advised the jury of the standard to apply with respect to plaintiffs' claims. 38 At argument, defendants relied on a recent decision by this court for their argument that the instructions should have required specific findings that the force used was either malicious for the purpose of harm or unnecessary and wanton, and that the force actually damaged plaintiffs. See Cowans v. Wyrick, 862 F.2d 697, 699-700 (8th Cir.1989). Cowans was injured when a prison guard slammed a food slot door shut on his hand. A jury found that the guard had inflicted cruel and unusual punishment on Cowans, but did not assess any damages against the guard. The district court awarded Cowans nominal damages based on the jury verdict. This court reversed, holding, under Whitley v. Albers, 475 U.S. 312, 320-21, 106 S.Ct. 1078, 1084-85, 89 L.Ed.2d 251 (1986), that the guard's action was a reasonable measure undertaken to resolve a disturbance which posed a significant security threat. Cowans differs from the current case, however, in that Cowans involved a threat to institutional security. In the instant case, the beatings complained of by the prisoners occurred after any threat to institutional security had been quelled. Therefore Cowans does not control. 39 We also find without merit the objection based on a lack of finding with respect to damages. Although the verdict director did not require an express finding that plaintiffs were damaged, Instruction No. 44 instructed the jury on how to determine the amount of compensatory, or actual, damages sustained by plaintiffs. The jury awarded each plaintiff compensatory damages pursuant to Instruction No. 44. Defendants never objected to this instruction, nor do they contend it was erroneous. Furthermore, the constitutional violation may be vindicated by the award of nominal damages even when no actual damages are proven. Tatum v. Houser, 642 F.2d 253, 254-55 (8th Cir.1981). Because proof of actual damages is unnecessary to establish a constitutional violation, it follows that damages need not be an element to be proved in the verdict director.