Opinion ID: 2071483
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Jury Instructions as to Damages

Text: Finally, Balan argues that the Superior Court improperly instructed the jury that it could award money damages to Homer for future pain and suffering of body and mind. Balan apparently acknowledges that Horner's permanent scarring, and the fact that she must live with an artificial arterial graft, are facts that would support an award for future mental anguish, humiliation or embarrassment. He complains only that there should have been no reference to future bodily pain and suffering. This Court will set aside a verdict based upon erroneous jury instructions if deficiencies in the instructions given by the trial judge undermined the jury's ability to perform its duty intelligently in returning a verdict. [6] In light of the evidence, it would have been more appropriate for the Superior Court to limit its instruction on future pain and suffering to future mental pain and suffering. We are satisfied, however, that the defect in the Superior Court's instruction did not interfere with the jury's ability to perform its duty intelligently. Based upon the foregoing, the judgment of the Superior Court is hereby AFFIRMED.