Opinion ID: 2032138
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: failure to direct verdict against defendants

Text: Dolberg assigns that the court erred in failing to direct a verdict of liability against each defendant. Dolberg argues that the court found Paltani to be negligent as a matter of law and that therefore the defendants were liable. However, deciding that a party is negligent as a matter of law does not equate to a finding that the defendant is liable. See Davis v. Phillips, 215 Neb. 184, 337 N.W.2d 754 (1983) (finding court's refusal to direct verdict on liability proper when issue of contributory negligence is before jury). In order to succeed in an action based on negligence, a plaintiff must establish the defendant's duty not to injure the plaintiff, a breach of that duty, proximate causation, and damages. Hill v. City of Lincoln, 249 Neb. 88, 541 N.W.2d 655 (1996); Anderson/Couvillon v. Nebraska Dept. of Soc. Servs., 248 Neb. 651, 538 N.W.2d 732 (1995); S.I. v. Cutler, 246 Neb. 739, 523 N.W.2d 242 (1994). A finding of negligence as a matter of law equates to a finding that the plaintiff has established the first two of those four elements. However, the issues of causation and damages remain for the jury's determination. See Vredeveld v. Clark, 244 Neb. 46, 504 N.W.2d 292 (1993). It is undisputed that Paltani violated her obligation to stop at the red light and to yield the right-of-way to Dolberg. The court decided this issue as a matter of law. What remains for resolution is whether Paltani's negligent act resulted in any harm to Dolberg. We have held that determination of causation is, ordinarily, a matter for the trier of fact. Merrick v. Thomas, 246 Neb. 658, 522 N.W.2d 402 (1994). As the issues of causation and damages must go to the jury, the trial court did not err in failing to direct a verdict of liability, which would require the court to usurp the fact finder's role.