Opinion ID: 303517
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Layne's appeal.

Text: 25 Layne cross-appeals claiming that the damages granted for loss of earnings were inadequate as a matter of law. In computing the loss of earnings, the trial judge awarded the full amount that Layne could have been expected to earn for the first year following the accident, then one-half that amount for the remaining 15 years of his wage earning expectancy. 26 We cannot say that the trial judge was clearly wrong in refusing to grant the full amount of plaintiff's expected annual earnings. There was conflicting testimony from expert witnesses concerning the nature and extent of Layne's disability. The trial judge felt that the disability was not total and that Layne retained some wage earning capacity. That conclusion is not clearly erroneous. 27 On the appeal of the United States, the case is remanded to the District Court with directions to amend the judgment in accordance with the views here expressed. On Layne's appeal, the judgment is affirmed. The United States shall recover one-third of its costs on appeal.