Opinion ID: 735363
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Damages: Excessive?

Text: 51 Defendants argue that the total award of $10 million is excessive. We use federal standards to determine excessiveness of verdicts in diversity cases. Mayer v. Gary Partners and Co., Ltd., 29 F.3d 330, 334 (7th Cir.1994). We will vacate a damages award only if it is monstrously excessive, considering whether it is out of line with verdicts in similar cases, or if it bears no rational connection to the evidence. Littlefield v. McGuffey, 954 F.2d 1337, 1348 (7th Cir.1992). The district court has already denied defendants' motion for a new trial on damages or remittitur, and we review this decision only for abuse of discretion. EEOC v. AIC Security Investigations, Ltd., 55 F.3d 1276, 1285 (7th Cir.1995). 52 First, defendants argue that the verdict in this case is out of line with verdicts in similar cases. They cite a number of cases in which lesser damages were granted. But these cases prove nothing except that some plaintiffs have received less money than Miksis; they do not show the current award to be monstrously excessive. The district court, on the other hand, cited seven cases which illustrate that this verdict is in line with verdicts in similar cases. Defendants make no argument that these cases are inapposite. Thus, defendants have given us no reason to think the district court abused its discretion on this issue. 53 Defendants also argue the evidence did not support a finding that the accident caused plaintiff's current mentation deficits because there was no expert testimony as to causation. The district court rejected this argument in the context of defendants' motion for judgment. It held that plaintiff did present adequate expert testimony to allow a rational jury to conclude the accident caused plaintiff's cognitive impairments. In a nutshell, plaintiff's treating physician testified that the accident caused brain injury and both she and plaintiff's neuropsychologist testified that his cognitive abilities declined significantly after the accident in ways consistent with such an injury. Given that all evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the winning party, Gagan v. American Cablevision, Inc., 77 F.3d 951, 960 (7th Cir.1996), we agree with the district court that the evidence is sufficient to support a finding of causation. 54 Defendants also argue that the damages bear no rational connection to the evidence. Their real argument, however, is a repeat of their attack on exhibit 57. They claim that because this exhibit is bogus, any damages based on it are unsupported by the evidence. However, we have already determined that the exhibit was properly admitted given the objections raised at trial. See discussion supra. Because properly admitted, we must consider this exhibit as evidence. Additionally, defendants completely ignore the question of what portion of the damages should be attributed to pain and suffering, as opposed to the challenged amounts for economic loss. The jury may well have discounted the amount awarded for future costs based on defendants' criticisms at trial. It is impossible to tell from the verdict form used. Thus, the evidence, including Exhibit 57, viewed in the light most favorable to the winning party, supports the jury's damages verdict.