Opinion ID: 1887704
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: whether the trial court erred in failing to grant the plaintiff's motion for additur.

Text: ¶ 56. Finally, Pickering argues that the trial court erroneously granted Defendant's Jury Instruction D-9 allowing the jury to reduce the damages awarded by the Pickering's comparative negligence. Specifically, Pickering argues that additur is warranted by the fact that his evidence of fault and damages were unrefuted by the defendant. Pickering relies on the case of Leach v. Leach, 597 So.2d 1295, 1297 for the proposition that each case involving the issue of additur must necessarily be decided on its own facts. Pickering contends that damages were not disputed by IMT, there was extensive testimony as to the pain and suffering of Pickering resulting from the IMT tractor running over him, Dr. Barrett's deposition was read into evidence in support of the medical bills and as to the permanent nature of Pickering's injuries, and Nat Fentress offered testimony that Pickering had incurred average lost profits of $12,000 for the three years immediately following the accident all of which went unrefuted by IMT. For these reasons Pickering contends that the lower court should have granted the motion for additur. ¶ 57. IMT contends that whether or not it refuted the testimony of any witness concerning pain and suffering is irrelevant; it is for the jury to determine the amount of damages adequate to compensate the plaintiff. Further, IMT contends that Pickering proffers two grounds for additur, the first is a renewed argument that comparative negligence should not have been applied which has been treated supra, and the second ground for additur was not presented to the trial court in plaintiff's motion and has been waived. IMT relies on the case of Lewis v. Hiatt, 683 So.2d 937, 940 (Miss.1996) wherein this Court stated that in reviewing a motion for additur, the Court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the Defendant. ¶ 58. In reviewing a trial court's grant or denial of an additur, this Court's standard of review is limited to an abuse of discretion. Rodgers v. Pascagoula Pub. Sch. Dist., 611 So.2d 942, 945 (Miss.1992); State Highway Comm'n of Mississippi v. Warren, 530 So.2d 704, 707 (Miss.1988). The party seeking the additur bears the burden of proving his injuries, loss of income, and other damages. We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the defendant, giving him all favorable inferences that may be reasonably drawn therefrom. Rodgers, 611 So.2d at 945; Odom v. Roberts, 606 So.2d 114 (Miss.1992); Copeland v. City of Jackson, 548 So.2d 970, 974 (Miss.1989). Awards set by jury are not merely advisory and generally will not be set aside unless so unreasonable as to strike mankind at first blush as being beyond all measure, unreasonable in amount and outrageous. Rodgers, 611 So.2d at 945 (citations omitted). The amount of damages awarded is primarily a question for the jury. South Cent. Bell Tel. Co., Inc. v. Parker, 491 So.2d 212, 217 (Miss.1986). ¶ 59. In the case sub judice, the jury assessed Pickering's damages at $90,600 which was reduced by $40,000 giving IMT credit for the two settling defendants. Further, the jury attributed 75% of the fault to Pickering. Pickering does not contend that the jury award was inadequate. However, he argues that the credit for the two settling defendants and the deduction for comparative fault should not have been allowed. Having disposed of these arguments in the previous issues, this assignment of error is without merit.