Opinion ID: 1393814
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the trial courts finding of total damages is affirmed

Text: Appellate review of this issue is also limited to whether the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence and whether the findings of fact support the trial court's conclusions of law and judgment, Holland v. Boeing Co., 90 Wn.2d 384, 390, 583 P.2d 621 (1978); and substantial evidence is evidence sufficient to persuade a fair-minded, rational person of the truth of the declared premise. World Wide Video, Inc. v. Tukwila, 117 Wn.2d 382, 816 P.2d 18 (1991), cert. denied, 112 S.Ct. 1672 (1992). The evidence presented at trial in support of the court's finding of total damages includes the following. Mr. Price testified he felt he was improving after the first accident and getting better prior to the accident on March 4, 1987: I wasn't missing as much work as I had the year before, and I thought I was doing real good. Verbatim Report of Proceedings, at 26. He testified he planned to continue work until he was 65 years old, but chose to take an early retirement after suffering the injuries associated with the second accident. Verbatim Report of Proceedings, at 36. Price's wife supported his testimony, stating that during the time between the two accidents he was getting better. Verbatim Report of Proceedings, at 123-24. She also testified in support of the alleged loss of consortium. Verbatim Report of Proceedings, at 317-18. In addition to the Prices' testimony, Dr. Bergman, a specialist in neurology, testified he treated Carl Price beginning August 24, 1989, Verbatim Report of Proceedings, at 257, and that he recommended that Price retire from welding. Verbatim Report of Proceedings, at 267. Dr. Bergman concluded on a more probable than not basis that Price's condition was a result of the March 1987 accident. Verbatim Report of Proceedings, at 268. The report of Price's chiropractor also indicated that Price's condition had seemed to be improving prior to the second accident. Clerk's Papers, at 182-84. Finally, a CPA specializing in financial planning testified that the early retirement caused Price to suffer a loss of $139,263 in present value. Clerk's Papers, at 500. The above evidence is sufficient to persuade a fair-minded, rational person that Price's current condition was caused by the March 4, 1987, accident and supports the trial court's finding that total damages amounted to $259,535. We therefore affirm the trial court's calculation of total damages.