Opinion ID: 2209506
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Damages Awarded to Woollen

Text: Woollen sought damages for his past and future medical expenses; past, present, and future pain and suffering; lost earnings and loss of earning capacity; and loss of his vehicle. Woollen also claimed that he had incurred legal expenses defending against claims filed against him by health care providers seeking payment for care provided to Woollen as a result of the accident. In response to the State's motion, the trial court struck Woollen's claim for damages for the attorney fees Woollen incurred in prior proceedings brought by health care providers seeking payment. Following trial, the trial court found that as a result of the accident, Woollen sustained a total of $881,373.24 in damages, as follows: $145,373.24 in medical expenses, to date of trial; $50,000 in future medical expenses; $100,000 for Woollen's disability to date; $400,000 for Woollen's future disability; $100,000 for Woollen's pain and suffering to date; $50,000 for Woollen's future pain and suffering; $6,000 for Woollen's lost income to date of trial; and $30,000 for Woollen's loss of future earning capacity. Based upon the court's determination concerning the respective negligence of the parties, judgment was entered against the State in the amount of $528,823.94, plus interest and costs. The trial court determined that Woollen had produced insufficient evidence to justify an award of damages for lost past or future income based upon Woollen's farming operation, although the trial court found that Woollen had proved an annual expense of $1,500 for an agronomist, which expense he had not been forced to incur prior to the accident. The trial court also determined that Woollen had offered insufficient evidence to merit an award of damages for the loss of his vehicle. The State appeals, and Woollen cross-appeals.