Opinion ID: 716608
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Medical Cost Claims

Text: 16 Nichols claims that the evidence with which the jury was presented was insufficient to support an award of $75,000 (over 42.6 years) for future medical expenses. In his memorandum order dated April 5, 1994, Magistrate Judge Fox stated: The evidence permitted the jury to conclude that Plaintiff might incur future medical expenses through the course of his life if the jury accepted evidence supportive of a permanent condition. Nichols claims that Fisher's future medical expenses were too speculative and that the jury's award cannot be upheld. However, Dr. Jones, Fisher's treating orthopedic surgeon, testified that Fisher's condition would probably worsen over time, that Fisher would likely need further medical treatment (including evaluations, x-rays, and physical therapy), and that he would probably have ongoing pain over the course of his lifetime. In addition, Dr. Hanson, Fisher's treating neurosurgeon, testified that Fisher would have to endure a lifetime filled with recurrent bouts of back spasm and sciatica. Based on this testimony and in light of Fisher's past medical expenses, we do not find the evidence in support of the jury's future medical expense award of $75,000 to be insufficient or the award to be excessive. 17 Both parties appeal Judge Fox's post-trial decisions regarding discounting. Nichols argues that, pursuant to a stipulation entered into by the parties, Judge Fox should have discounted the award for future medical expenses; Fisher cross-appeals, arguing that Judge Fox should not have discounted the award for future pain. We reject both arguments. The parties' stipulation simply reserved the matter of discounting for Judge Fox to consider after the verdict; it did not require any particular result. Fisher's cross-appeal, based on Oliveri v. Delta S.S. Lines, Inc., 849 F.2d 742, 752 (2d Cir.1988) (suggesting that generally a judge should not discount a jury's award for pain and suffering), similarly lacks merit. This case is distinguishable from Oliveri because here the parties stipulated that the magistrate judge would consider discounting any jury award.