Opinion ID: 166827
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Damages Verdict

Text: The jury placed the total $243,072 it awarded the Holzwarths in the category of the verdict form labeled “reasonable repair and/or replacement costs.” J.A. at 867. The jury awarded Sutterley/Kilgore $240,071 in the category of the verdict form labeled “other reasonable costs or losses.” J.A. at 923. The district court concluded that although the jury was provided the opportunity to award “loss in market value” damages, it declined to do so. J.A. at 1873. It reasoned that the jury’s categorization of the damages was inconsistent with the theory of damages advanced by the Holzwarths and Sutterley/Kilgore. When reviewing jury verdicts, we are guided by our duty to attempt to -31- reconcile the jury’s answers to special verdict questions. See, e.g., Heno, 208 F.3d at 852; Gallick, 372 U.S. at 119 (“We ... must attempt to reconcile the jury’s findings, by exegesis if necessary, ..., before we are free to disregard the jury’s special verdict and remand the case for a new trial.”). If there is any reasonable view of the case which makes the answers consistent, the case must be resolved in that way. See Heno, 208 F.3d at 852; Palmer v. City of Monticello, 31 F.3d 1499, 1505 (10th Cir. 1994). The consistency of a jury’s verdict must be considered in light of the instructions given to the jury, among other factors. See Harvey, 873 F.2d at 1348. The jury was instructed that “[t]he Homeowners have the burden of proving the nature and extent of their compensatory damages by a preponderance of the evidence.” J.A. at 779 (emphasis supplied). The jury was further instructed that “[i]n determining these damages, you shall consider the following: (1) reasonable repair and/or replacement costs, if any; (2) other reasonable costs or losses, if any; and (3) the decrease in market value, if any, to the Homeowner’s homes, as repaired.” Id. (emphasis supplied). We note that category (1) does not state “reasonable repair and/or replacement costs incurred” and a reasonable jury certainly could conclude in light of the evidence that the categories were not mutually exclusive. The Holzwarths put forth evidence to substantiate the nature of their -32- damages. While living at the home, the Holzwarths incurred $43,072 in repair costs due to Entran II, an amount which is uncontested by Goodyear. As discussed, the Holzwarths also provided evidence to support their claim for diminution in value damages. A fair reading of the jury’s verdict suggests the jury accepted the Holzwarths’ diminution in value theory of damages and, as required by the jury instructions, considered the amount Mr. Wilson testified to would cost to repair or replace the Holzwarths’ hydronic heating system. As such, the jury placed the corresponding $200,000 amount in the category for “reasonable repair and/or replacement costs.” The jury was not limited to “reasonable repair and/or replacement costs incurred, and could well have decided that the diminution in value of $200,000 was an excellent proxy for the repair and/or replacement costs that would have been required to remedy this problem. Although other interpretations may be reasonable, this view harmonizes the jury’s verdict and we are bound by it. Accordingly, the jury’s award of $243,072 to the Holzwarths must be reinstated. Sutterley/Kilgore also put forth evidence to substantiate the nature of their damages, i.e., their claim for diminution in value damages. Unlike the verdict form given to the jury for the Holzwarths claims, the verdict form for Sutterley/Kilgore did not have a category for “reasonable repair and/or replacement costs.” Instead, in considering the damages to award -33- Sutterley/Kilgore, the jury had the option to award either “other reasonable costs or losses,” or “the decrease in market value, if any, as repaired.” J.A. at 923 (emphasis supplied). The jury awarded Sutterley/Kilgore $240,071 as other “other reasonable costs or losses.” Id. A fair reading of the jury’s verdict indicates that this was the proper category for the jury to place the award because Sutterley/Kilgore did not have their home repaired. Again, this view harmonizes the jury’s verdict and we are bound by it. As such, the jury’s award of $240,071 to Sutterley/Kilgore must be reinstated.