Opinion ID: 1120598
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Was Verdict Excessive?

Text: We confess the total sum awarded by the verdict in this case seems a very large figure. Attorneys connected with the case claim the verdict is the largest personal-injury verdict ever rendered in the State of Wyoming. On the other hand, if the verdict seems large, it must be noted that the injuries were exceedingly great. There would be no way to describe the injuries suffered by plaintiff in the explosion and fire except to say they were horrible in every sense of the word. The jury did not award a single lumpsum total for damages. Instead, damages were assessed in the following amounts: For medical and hospital expenses ____________________ $11,748.95 For disfigurement ____________________________________ $25,000.00 For pain and suffering, past and future ______________ $35,000.00 For loss of earnings, past and future by reason of liability ____________________________________________ $115,000.00 When the verdict is considered in its separate parts, item by item, it becomes apparent that there was ample evidence and a reasonable basis for each separate award which the jury made. Counsel for appellant have submitted a brief in this court consisting of 137 pages. One page only was devoted to the matter of an excessive verdict. In that page they combined several items together and submitted that the recovery of $175,000 for disfigurement, pain and suffering and loss of earnings seems to be grossly excessive. No reasons were given for this claim, and no authorities were cited. We must therefore follow the established rule that the amount to be assessed for damages suffered by a plaintiff as a result of personal injuries is within the sound discretion of the jury, unless the award is so excessive or unreasonable as to indicate passion or prejudice on the part of the jury. See Blakeman v. Gopp, Wyo., 364 P.2d 986, 991; and Chandler v. Dugan, 70 Wyo. 439, 251 P.2d 580, 587. We find nothing in the record in this case to indicate passion or prejudice and appellant cites nothing to show that it existed.