Opinion ID: 1811748
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the trial court erred in denying dr. wright's and semmes-murphy's motion for remittitur.

Text: ¶ 49. Dr. Wright finally argues the circuit court erred in denying his motion for remittitur. He requests this Court enter a remittitur of an unspecified amount. He argues the five-million-dollar verdict is excessive on proof of economic damages which totaled $440,511.46. [22] The Phillipses respond that the record supports both the economic and non-economic damages. ¶ 50. According to section 11-1-55 of the Mississippi Code: The supreme court or any other court of record in a case in which money damages were awarded may overrule a motion for new trial or affirm on direct or cross appeal, upon condition of an additur or remittitur, if the court finds that the damages are excessive or inadequate for the reason that the jury or trier of the facts was influenced by bias, prejudice, or passion, or that the damages awarded were contrary to the overwhelming weight of credible evidence. Miss.Code Ann. § 11-1-55 (Rev.2002). This Court articulated the standard under which it reviews a trial court's judgment on motion for additur or remittitur as follows: Where a trial court refuses to grant a remittitur, this Court reviews the decision for abuse of discretion. The jury's award is not to be set aside unless it is entirely disproportionate to the injury sustained. However, when determining the reasonableness of an award, the sky is simply not the limit. The Court looks to see whether the verdict is so excessive it shocks the conscience evidencing a bias, passion and prejudice on the part of the jury. Gatewood v. Sampson, 812 So.2d 212, 222-223 (Miss.2002) (citations and quotations removed.) It is primarily the province of the jury [and, in a bench trial, the judge] to determine the amount of damages to be awarded and the award will normally not be `set aside unless so unreasonable in amount as to strike mankind at first blush as being beyond all measure, unreasonable in amount and outrageous.' Foster v. Noel, 715 So.2d 174, 183 (Miss.1998), quoting Harvey v. Wall, 649 So.2d 184, 187 (Miss.1995). ¶ 51. We find that the trial court did not err in denying Dr. Wright's motion for a remittitur, nor will this Court grant one on appeal. The jury's verdict was just over eleven times the Phillipses' economic or special damages in the amount of $440,511.46. The jury heard proof that Mr. Phillips suffered severe, recurring headaches from March 17, 2000, until he entered the hospital again on March 28. He then lived in a persistent vegetative state for almost two years. He could not care for himself and required a breathing machine and a feeding tube to keep him alive. His wife Mary and his son Tyson, together with home health agencies, cleaned, fed and cared for Mr. Phillips and maintained his medical equipment. His wife and son required extensive training to care for Mr. Phillips adequately. All of the wrongful-death beneficiaries testified as to the relationship each had with Mr. Phillips and the hardship and suffering each endured. This Court views the evidence presented in the light most favorable to the verdict. Miss. Dep't of Pub. Safety v. Durn, 861 So.2d 990, 998 (Miss.2003). We find that there is sufficient evidence to preclude a finding that the jury was influenced by bias, passion, and prejudice. ¶ 52. While five million dollars is a large verdict, considering this Court's standard of review, the weight of facts in this case, and the fact it is just over eleven times special damages, it is not so excessive as to shock the conscience. Compare Gatewood, 812 So.2d at 223 (jury's verdict thirty-eight times special damages); Edwards v. Ellis, 478 So.2d 282 (Miss.1985) (forty times the amount of medical expenses); Purdon v. Locke, 807 So.2d 373 (Miss.2001) (fourteen times the amount of damages); Dorrough, 817 So.2d at 575 (jury's verdict more than four times special damages); Flight Line, Inc. v. Tanksley, 608 So.2d 1149 (Miss.1992) (jury's verdict approximately four times special damages and reduced for plaintiff's negligence and failure to mitigate damages affirmed); W.J. Runyon & Son v. Davis, 605 So.2d 38, 50 (Miss.1992) (jury's verdict approximately thirteen times special damages), overruled in part, J & J Timber Co. v. Broome, 932 So.2d 1, 4-6 (Miss.2006). See generally Choctaw Maid Farms v. Hailey, 822 So.2d 911 (Miss.2002) ($5,350,162.10 actual damages verdict affirmed); Brandon HMA, Inc. v. Bradshaw, 809 So.2d 611 (Miss.2001) ($9 million actual damages verdict affirmed); General Motors Corp. v. Jackson, 636 So.2d 310 (Miss.1992) ($7 million actual damages verdict affirmed.) Therefore, we find Dr. Wright's arguments are without merit.