Opinion ID: 1130924
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Motion for New TrialExcessive Damages

Text: Curtis also alleges that the trial court committed error in denying his motion for a new trial on the basis of excessive damages. In its memorandum decision the trial court held: In this case there is no indication of a verdict influenced by passion or prejudice, nor is there great disparity in the amount of damages set out in the verdict and what the Court might have found, assuming the Court first found for the defendant. The evidence was conflicting throughout the trial and the position of both parties was placed before the jury. From the Court's point of observation the jury could as easily have come back with a verdict for the plaintiff. However, it cannot be said that the jury's verdict was not supported by substantial evidence. The decision, whether by verdict of the jury or finding of fact by the Court, was dependent upon whose expert and whose evidence was believed. Reasonable men or women could differ as to which side was entitled to the verdict or to the Court's decision. The Court chooses to yield to the combined wisdom of the twelve jurors and hold that the judgment based upon the jury's verdict should stand. Consequently, plaintiff's Motion for a New Trial will not be granted on the basis of excessive damages or insufficiency of evidence. (Emphasis added.) In ruling on a motion for new trial based upon excessive damages, the trial court must make certain findings which were set forth in Dinneen: Where a motion for a new trial is premised on inadequate or excessive damages, the trial court must weigh the evidence and then compare the jury's award to what he would have given had there been no jury. If the disparity is so great that it appears to the trial court that the award was given under the influence of passion or prejudice, the verdict ought not stand. It need not be proven that there was in fact passion or prejudice nor is it necessary to point to such in the record. The appearance of such is sufficient. A trial court is not restricted to ruling a verdict inadequate or excessive as a matter of law. Blaine v. Byers, supra. Additionally, the rule that a verdict will not be set aside when supported by substantial but conflicting evidence has no application to a trial court ruling upon a motion for a new trial. Blaine, supra; Rosenberg v. Toetly, 93 Idaho 135, 456 P.2d 779 (1969). 100 Idaho at 625-26, 603 P.2d at 580-81. We do not believe that the trial judge adequately discussed the findings necessary to make a ruling on the excessiveness of the damages. His mention of the damages that he might have found does not give us any indication that he had a definite amount in mind when weighing the question of the damages. There is nothing in his written decision which indicates to us what evidence he weighed and compared in ruling against Curtis' motion for a new trial. Where the reasons are neither obvious nor stated, the appellate court is left to speculate about the trial court's perception of the law and knowledge of the facts. Sheets v. Agro-West, Inc., 104 Idaho 880, 888, 664 P.2d 787, 795 (Ct.App.1983); see also Soria v. Sierra Pac. Airlines, Inc., 111 Idaho at 609, 726 P.2d at 721. In light of the fact that there was no proof presented of actual damages sustained by Firth as a result of the batteries, nor any testimony about expenses related to her mental distress, we find the jury's verdict awarding $50,000 for the battery and $225,000 for the intentional infliction of emotional distress to be somewhat suspect. It may very well be that the trial judge had very similar figures in mind in ruling on the motion, but the record does not reflect on what he may have based that. For that reason we believe that this portion of the motion for new trial should be remanded to the trial court for further findings. These findings should address the question of the excessiveness of the punitive damages as well. In this regard we note the comments of the Court of Appeals in Davis v. Gage, 106 Idaho 735, 682 P.2d 1282 (Ct.App.1984): After Cheney, the amount of punitive damages is left largely up to the district court's discretion. Boise Dodge [ Inc. v. Clark, 92 Idaho 902, 453 P.2d 551 (1969)] indicated that no particular mathematical ratio is prescribed and that the true basis for an award of one amount of punitive damages as opposed to another amount lies in an overall appraisal of the circumstances to the case. Some of the factors which go into a judge's decision on whether punitive damages are excessive include the wrongdoer's motives, the degree of calculation, and the extent of the wrongdoer's disregard of the rights of others. Any factor he does examine, however, should focus on advancing the policy of deterrence. 106 Idaho at 740, 682 P.2d at 1287 (citations omitted). With this in mind the trial court should review and provide further findings as to the amount of punitive damages the court deems appropriate.