Opinion ID: 1389473
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: In this proceeding we have been called upon to review the trial court's denial of Mr. Rohrbaugh's motion for a new trial as to damages on his invasion of privacy claim, and as to liability and damages on the disability discrimination and workers' compensation discrimination claims. This Court has held that, [a]lthough the ruling of a trial court in granting or denying a motion for a new trial is entitled to great respect and weight, the trial court's ruling will be reversed on appeal when it is clear that the trial court has acted under some misapprehension of the law or the evidence. Syl. pt. 4, Sanders v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 159 W.Va. 621, 225 S.E.2d 218 (1976). We have also more succinctly held that, in examining an order denying a new trial, we review the circuit court's final order and ultimate disposition under an abuse of discretion standard. We review challenges to findings of fact under a clearly erroneous standard; conclusions of law are reviewed de novo.  Syl. pt. 4, Burgess v. Porterfield, 196 W.Va. 178, 469 S.E.2d 114 (1996). With these standards set forth, we now turn to the issues before us.