Opinion ID: 778936
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: JAML — Emotional Distress, Lost Wages, Punitive Damages

Text: 33 The balance of the arguments offered by Appellants concerning the district court's denial of their motions for judgment as a matter of law cover the emotional distress and lost wages verdicts for Counts I, II and III; and the punitive damages award for Count III. Again, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Warren, we affirm the district court. Id. at 150, 120 S.Ct. 2097. 34 As Appellants recognize, Warren presented evidence of emotional distress including her own testimony, the testimony of her counselor and also the testimony of her aunt. This testimony revealed the time period in which the alleged discrimination and retaliatory acts occurred, as well as the specific effect these events had on Warren both physically and emotionally. After carefully reviewing the record, this evidence was sufficient to put the issue before the jury. The jury drew their own conclusions accordingly and we will not disturb this finding. See Ross v. Douglas Cty., 234 F.3d 391, 397 (8th Cir. 2000) (affirming an award of $100,000 for emotional distress resulting from emotional and financial strain after leaving hostile work environment). 35 As for lost wages, Appellants claim that there was no evidentiary support for Warren's testimony of the dollar amount of her per month projected salary in 1996-2000 or for the estimated retirement benefits. Appellants essentially object to the content of Warren's Exhibit 81, which sets forth her projected DYS annual salary as well as projected health and retirement benefits. However, Appellants did not object to the introduction of this evidence at trial. As a result, we review this evidence for plain error, and find none. 36 Finally, addressing the punitive damages awarded in this case, we agree with the well-reasoned opinion of the district court set forth in its September 28, 2001, order. [A]ppellate review of the trial court's determination in this regard is limited to an abuse of discretion. Grabinski v. Blue Springs Ford Sales, Inc., 136 F.3d 565, 572 (8th Cir.1998). After carefully reviewing the evidence, we conclude that $100,000 is not grossly excessive and the district court did not abuse its discretion in this regard. See Kientzy v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 990 F.2d 1051, 1062 (8th Cir.1993) (applying a clear abuse of discretion standard and upholding an award of $400,000).