Opinion ID: 579280
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Future Damages.

Text: 26 American Colloid next argues the trial court erred in permitting the introduction of evidence of future damages and in instructing the jury that it could award unlimited future damages. The company asserts that the evidence and instructions were improper because Durtsche admitted that he had a job offer in the bentonite industry after he was terminated. American Colloid objected to both the testimony of Dr. Jerome Sherman, an economist who testified as to future damages, and to the instructions relating to future damages. Thus, we must determine first, whether Wyoming law would permit an award of future damages and second, whether the trial court erred in permitting the expert testimony and in instructing the jury on the issue. 27 A trial court's evidentiary rulings are reviewed for an abuse of discretion, Graham ex rel. Graham v. Wyeth Laboratories, 906 F.2d 1399, 1401 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 511, 112 L.Ed.2d 523 (1990), as are its decisions on instructing the jury, see Transpower Constructors v. Grand River Dam Auth., 905 F.2d 1413, 1417 (10th Cir.1990). When this issue arises in the context of a motion for remittitur, the trial judge's refusal to grant remittitur or new trial on the ground of excessive damages is likewise tested for an abuse of discretion. Royal College Shop, Inc. v. Northern Ins. Co., 895 F.2d 670, 677 (10th Cir.1990). 28 As to the first question, American Colloid suggests that all evidence of future damages in this case should have been excluded because it was based on pure speculation and because Durtsche had a job offer with another company. The company relies on Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co. v. Smith, 637 P.2d 1020 (Wyo.1981), for the proposition that future damages were improper. That case actually permits an award of future damages based on the amount of compensation agreed upon for the remainder of the period involved less the amount the employee earned or with reasonable diligence could have earned from other employment. Id. at 1025. Like the employee in Panhandle, Durtsche's contract with his employer was for an indefinite term. Thus, future damages are a proper element to be awarded in a wrongful termination case under Wyoming law. 29 American Colloid argues, however, that evidence to support such an award was speculative. Durtsche's expert, Dr. Sherman, testified that, based on his past earnings and present inability to find a job with comparable pay in the industry, Durtsche suffered future damages exceeding $400,000. Although the company claims that Durtsche admitted he had obtained another job in the industry, the testimony at trial does not support this assertion. Durtsche testified that he had begun negotiations with another company but had no firm offer of a job. American Colloid failed to elicit on cross-examination the amount that the new position would pay, despite its burden on the mitigation issue. See id. at 1027. Nevertheless, it was clear that the pay would not be comparable to what Durtsche was making at American Colloid before his termination. Therefore, Dr. Sherman's estimate of Durtsche's future damages was not speculative for failing to take into account Durtsche's potential earnings at a new position, since there was no certainty at trial that the position would be offered and American Colloid failed to elicit information on Durtsche's expected compensation. The trial court did not err in permitting evidence of future damages, and its denial of American Colloid's motion for remittitur was not an abuse of discretion. 30