Opinion ID: 1735293
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Did the trial court err in denying Coho's motions for a new trial?

Text: ¶ 28. Motions for a new trial are made pursuant to M.R.C.P. 59. Trial courts have authority to grant a new trial, where, in the exercise of their sound discretion, they regard such a verdict as being contrary to the substantial weight of the evidence. Dupree v. Plantation Pointe, L.P., 892 So.2d 228, 232 (Miss. 2004) (citing C & C Trucking Co. v. Smith, 612 So.2d 1092, 1099 (Miss.1992)). A denial of a request for new trial will be reversed only when it amounts to an abuse of that judge's discretion. Id. (citing Maxwell v. Ill. Cent. Gulf R.R., 513 So.2d 901, 908 (Miss.1987)). This Court should give substantial weight, deference and respect to the decision of the trial judge in matters such as this. Id. A new trial may be granted where the verdict is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, or when the jury has been confused by faulty instructions, or when the jury has departed from its oath and its verdict is a result of bias, passion, and prejudice. Id. at 235 (citing Griffin v. Fletcher, 362 So.2d 594, 596 (Miss.1978)). ¶ 29. Coho argues that trial court erred in denying its motion for a new trial because the verdict is contrary to the substantial weight of the evidence. Coho asserts the same four arguments as above and claims that the overwhelming weight of the evidence proves that: (1) Coho did not exercise control over the work; (2) Chapman's injuries were sustained while performing work the contractor agreed to perform for Coho; (3) the evidence proves that Chapman had actual and constructive knowledge that his conduct would create the dangerous condition that led to his injuries; and (4) the evidence showed that Chapman was in the best position to eliminate the dangerous condition he created while misusing the contractor's equipment. ¶ 30. The first point is dispositive of all four arguments. There is contradictory evidence regarding the issue of control and this contradictory testimony sufficiently created a jury question. However, when looking at the weight of the evidence, it is clear that the verdict is contrary to the substantial weight of the evidence. This Court discussed the issue of substantial control in Magee v. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp., 551 So.2d 182 (Miss. 1989). In Magee, the contract provided that the contractor assume[d] full and complete responsibility for the conditions pertaining to the Work, the site of the Work or its surroundings, and all risks in connection therewith. Id. at 184. The contractor also assumed responsibility for the care and maintenance of the work until completed and accepted by the owner. Id. at 185. Moreover, the contractor also obligated itself to take all necessary precautions for the safety of its employees. Id. The contractor also maintained control over the safety of the worksite, the manner of the work and they were to supply all the tools and employees needed for the job. Id. There was also testimony from the owner's on-site inspector, stating that the contractor had control over the methods and manner in which it was done. Id. The owner would merely inspect periodically the work of the contractor's employees. Id. This Court held that the owner did not retain substantial control over the operations even though they could inspect the work. Id. at 186. ¶ 31. This Court again dealt with the issue of substantial control in Coho Resources, Inc. v. McCarthy, 829 So.2d 1 (Miss.2002). In McCarthy the contractors assumed full and complete responsibility for the conditions pertaining to the work, the site of the work, and responsibility for the care and maintenance of the work. Id. at 11. The contract in McCarthy also stated that the contractor was an independent contractor, and that Coho had no direction or control over the contractor or its employees. Id. The Court also noted that as in Magee Coho retained the right to reasonable access to the work-site. Id. However, this is where McCarthy differed from Magee. In McCarthy, Coho reserved the right of dismissal of contractor's personnel or to terminate the contract if complete safety program was not followed. Id. Furthermore, testimony revealed that Coho did maintain substantial control over the operation. Id. The contractor's employees had to follow the orders of Coho and its company man on the site and Coho also provided a step-by-step procedure that it had to follow in completing the work. Id. The contract also specified a day or hourly rate. Id. ¶ 32. Here, in the case sub judice, Coho did not maintain as much control over Sauls as it did over the independent contractor in McCarthy. The contract between Sauls and Coho stated that Sauls assumed full and complete responsibility for the conditions pertaining to the work, the site and responsibility for the care and maintenance of the work. The contract clearly stated that Sauls was an independent contractor and that Coho did not have any direction or control over Sauls. Pursuant to the contract, Sauls was to provide its own equipment and employees needed for the job. However, the contract, as in McCarthy, gave Coho the right to dismiss Sauls' personnel if the safety procedures were not followed. The contract also specified a day and hourly rate and Coho did have reasonable access to the operations. ¶ 33. If Chapman can show that the contract notwithstanding, the owner maintained substantial de facto control over those features of the work out of which the injury arose, we may have a horse of a different color. Magee, 551 So.2d at 185. The testimony at trial was contradictory as to whether Coho retained substantial control over the workover job, but the weight of the evidence shows that Coho did not retain substantial control. First of all, Chapman presented testimony that he was instructed to use the 36-inch pipe wrench. However, there was ample testimony by several witnesses that using the 36 inch pipe wrench was the standard and common practice in industry and was also Sauls' practice to use the 36-inch pipe wrench for this type of tubing. Furthermore, Chapman used the 36-inch pipe wrench on several occasions and always used it for 3½ inch tubing. There was also testimony that Coho's representative was there at the beginning of the job but was not there at the time of the accident and that Coho never instructed Sauls as to the method of the work. The only evidence that was presented to show that Coho had control was that of Chapman's expert witness, Jimmy Barber. Barber testified that in his opinion the operator's duties, based on his experience, was to be in direct control of the operation at all times and was responsible for the safety and well-being of all personnel on their location. Barber stated that Coho's representative should have discussed the operation with Sauls and should have stopped the operation when he noticed they were not using the proper backup. However, on cross-examination, he admitted that he did not know what the responsibilities were between Coho and Sauls because he never spoke to Coho. Barber further stated that this was just his opinion, based on his experience, as to what should be the owner's responsibilities. There were also several witnesses who stated that there is always a method by which any man on the rig floor can shut down the operation if it becomes unsafe or dangerous. ¶ 34. In Magee, the owner only had reasonable access to the operation and this Court concluded that this was not enough. 551 So.2d at 186-87. However, in McCarthy, this Court noted that the owner had more control. 829 So.2d at 11-13. There, the owner maintained control over the safety and could terminate the contract or dismiss the contractors personnel, they gave orders to the contractor along with a step-by-step procedure to follow and the contract also specified a day or hourly rate for the work. Id. Here, the contract did specify a day or hourly rate and Coho did have the right to dismiss Sauls' personnel or terminate the contract if the safety procedures were not followed. However, the substantial weight of the evidence was that Coho did not instruct Sauls as the manner of the job and that Coho was not there at the time of the accident. The trial judge specifically denied Coho's motion for summary judgment on the grounds that a fact issue existed as to whether Coho negligently instructed the Plaintiff to use a 36-inch pipe wrench to make repairs. There was uncontradicted testimony that Sauls' 50-year practice was to use the pipe wrench as a back up to make the repairs. Furthermore, there was also testimony that using the pipe wrench as a back up was an alternate method. ¶ 35. The fact that Coho had authority over safety and the contract specified a day or hourly rate is not substantial control. Substantial is defined as of real worth and importance; of considerable value; valuable. Black's Law Dictionary 1597 (4th ed.1968). The testimony in this case does not show that the control was substantial or of considerable value. The two facts that go towards control are not substantial when compared with the evidence that shows Coho did not retain control over the operation. The verdict was against the substantial weight of the evidence, and we find that the trial court erred in denying Coho's motion for a new trial.