Opinion ID: 355448
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Verdict, Final Judgment, And Issues Presented

Text: 111 The trial court refused to permit Spectrofuge to submit the question of punitive damages to the jury. In closing argument, plaintiff itemized the antitrust damages sought as follows: 58 112 Spectrofuge's counsel told the jury that the total damages were at least $83,000 on the antitrust claims. Plaintiff sought $6,400 on its common law claim for the cancellation and loss of the VA Hospital due to the credit hold-inspired parts delay. 64 113 Beckman asked for damages on its counterclaims totaling $30,000 which covered profits (figured at 10%) from contracts lost as a result of Spectrofuge's wrongful conduct in pirating its employees, costs involved in replacing those employees, and extra travel costs involved in order to maintain warranty servicing in Tennessee after losing personnel and contracts to Spectrofuge. 114 The jury returned a general verdict for Spectrofuge on the antitrust claims for $85,000 and for $6,700 on its common law claim. The jury also returned a verdict in favor of Spectrofuge, del Valle and Dawson on Beckman's counterclaims. Judgment was entered on the verdicts awarding Spectrofuge treble damages of $255,000 for a grand total of $261,700. 115 Plaintiff then submitted affidavits supporting a request for attorneys' fees. Beckman moved for judgment n. o. v. or, in the alternative, for a new trial. On March 18, 1975, the Trial Court issued an Order with respect to the JNOV motion which reads in part:1) As to plaintiff's antitrust claims, the evidence is legally insufficient to support the jury's award to plaintiff as to his prayer for loss of service contracts at the University of Alabama claimed to be valued at $8,000.00, and at the institutions located in Houston, Texas claimed to be valued at $10,000.00, ( 65 and further 116 2) as to plaintiff's common law claim, the evidence is legally insufficient to support the jury's award to plaintiff to the extent that it exceeds plaintiff's prayer for damages. 117 It is, therefore, directed that a remittitur in the sum of $18,000.00 as to plaintiff's antitrust claims, that is, $54,000.00 when trebled, and in the sum of $300.00 as to plaintiff's common law claim, totalling $54,300.00, be entered within ten days, or a new trial shall be granted. 118 In all other respects, the Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict, or in the alternative for a New Trial, hereby is DENIED. 119 The Court reserved ruling on attorneys' fees. Spectrofuge subsequently remitted the required amount under protest. 120 Spectrofuge then sought a permanent injunction. The Court entered a final judgment awarding Spectrofuge $207,400 and $25,000 in attorneys' fees, dismissing Beckman's counterclaims on the merits, and denying injunctive relief. Thereafter, Spectrofuge brought motions for modification to alter or amend the final judgment with respect to the attorneys' fees award and the denial of an injunction. Both were denied, the District Court entering findings of fact and conclusions of law as to the latter. 121 On appeal, Beckman first attacks the sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury's findings that Beckman had monopolized or attempted to monopolize a relevant market in violation of § 2 of the Sherman Act and that its conduct constituted an unreasonable restraint of trade under § 1 of the Act. Beckman also challenges the jury instruction given with respect to the requisite elements for an attempt to monopolize claim. Third, Beckman asserts there was insufficient proof to support the finding of injury in fact under § 4 of the Clayton Act and the award of lost future profits. Finally, Beckman contends that the Trial Court erred in denying its motion for a new trial with respect to Spectrofuge's claims and its counterclaims. 122 On its cross-appeal Spectrofuge challenges the order to remit, 66 the denial of its application for an injunction, the failure to submit the question of punitive damages to the jury and the award of unreasonably low attorneys' fees. 123 After a long and arduous journey from Baltic and Mediterranean, through Ventnor and Marvin Gardens, and ending at Boardwalk and Park Place, we now reach the question of Monopoly.