Opinion ID: 2758002
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issues

Text: Deng and DM allege that the circuit court erred in denying their motion for a JML or, in the alternative, a new trial because, they argue, (1) the fraud claim is preempted by federal patent law and, therefore, the circuit court did not have jurisdiction over that claim; (2) Scroggins and Complete Lighting changed the basis of their fraud claim during the course of the trial, which, Deng and DM argue, constituted trial by ambush; (3) the fraud claim was based on contradictory testimony by Scroggins; (4) Scroggins and Complete Lighting did not present evidence of several elements of a fraud claim; (5) the compensatory-damages award for the fraud claim was based on speculative evidence; (6) the punitive-damages award was not supported by clear and convincing evidence; and (7) the punitive-damages award was the result of prejudice, bias, passion, or other improper motive. Deng and DM also argue, in the alternative, that the punitive-damages award is excessive and that they are entitled to a remittitur of those damages. 12 1121415 Standards of Review When reviewing a ruling on a motion for a JML, this Court uses the same standard the trial court used initially in deciding whether to grant or deny the motion for a JML. Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. v. Crawford, 689 So. 2d 3 (Ala. 1997). Regarding questions of fact, the ultimate question is whether the nonmovant has presented sufficient evidence to allow the case to be submitted to the jury for a factual resolution. Carter v. Henderson, 598 So. 2d 1350 (Ala. 1992). The nonmovant must have presented substantial evidence in order to withstand a motion for a JML. See § 12–21–12, Ala. Code 1975; West v. Founders Life Assurance Co. of Florida, 547 So. 2d 870, 871 (Ala. 1989). ... In reviewing a ruling on a motion for a JML, this Court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant and entertains such reasonable inferences as the jury would have been free to draw. Id. Regarding a question of law, however, this Court indulges no presumption of correctness as to the trial court's ruling. Ricwil, Inc. v. S.L. Pappas & Co., 599 So. 2d 1126 (Ala. 1992). Waddell & Reed, Inc. v. United Investors Life Ins. Co., 875 So. 2d 1143, 1152 (Ala. 2003). With regard to a motion for a new trial, this Court has stated: 'It is well established that a ruling on a motion for a new trial rests within the sound discretion of the trial judge. The exercise of that discretion carries with it a presumption of correctness, which will not be disturbed by this Court unless some legal right is abused and the record plainly and palpably shows the trial judge to be in error.' 13 1121415 Baptist Med. Ctr. Montclair v. Whitfield, 950 So. 2d 1121, 1126 (Ala. 2006) (quoting Curtis v. Faulkner Univ., 575 So. 2d 1064, 1065–66 (Ala. 1991), quoting in turn Kane v. Edward J. Woerner & Sons, Inc., 543 So. 2d 693, 694 (Ala. 1989), quoting in turn Hill v. Sherwood, 488 So. 2d 1357, 1359 (Ala. 1986)). Furthermore, a jury verdict is presumed to be correct, and that presumption is strengthened by the trial court's denial of a motion for a new trial. In reviewing a jury verdict, an appellate court must consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party, and it will set aside the verdict only if it is plainly and palpably wrong. Delchamps, Inc. v. Bryant, 738 So. 2d 824, 831 (Ala. 1999) (citations omitted).