Opinion ID: 2035675
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Adequacy of Plaintiff's Damages

Text: Next, we address plaintiff's final claim regarding Dr. Aquino in that the damages awarded were inadequate and contrary to the evidence presented at trial. The jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff against Dr. Aquino for $55,000 distributed in the following manner: $15,000 for past medical expenses, $10,000 for disability and disfigurement, $5,000 for past wages lost, $25,000 for past pain and suffering. Plaintiff contends that the jury disregarded evidence: of past medical expenses which alone amounted to $24,230.02; of his need for future medical care; and of his past and future pain and suffering. Reviewing courts will not interfere with the jury's assessment of damages unless a proven element of damages was ignored, the verdict resulted from passion or prejudice, or the award bears no reasonable relationship to the loss suffered. ( Hollis v. R. Latoria Construction, Inc. (1985), 108 Ill.2d 401, 92 Ill.Dec. 449, 485 N.E.2d 4.) After a thorough analysis, the appellate court found that the jury could have reasonably reached the damage amount that it did. (232 Ill.App.3d at 794-98, 173 Ill.Dec. 802, 597 N.E.2d 776.) We find plaintiff's arguments to the contrary unpersuasive and adopt the appellate court's conclusion as to this issue.