Opinion ID: 2105341
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: use of general verdict form

Text: Gustafson asserts that the trial court erred by submitting the cause upon a general verdict form rather than by propounding special interrogatories or by submitting separate verdict forms for each claim. Gustafson submitted requested instructions, including a verdict form incorporating special interrogatories. However, during the instruction conference, Gustafson focused his efforts toward three verdict forms, one for each cause of action, without special interrogatories, as follows: THE COURT: [Instruction No.] 25? We'll have to clean that up, and then we'll give them the two verdict forms. [Plaintiff's counsel]: No objection. [Defendant's counsel]: Defendant would object to not submitting special interrogatories.... .... [Plaintiff's counsel]: I have a concern somewhat along those lines, but it doesn't have to go to special interrogatories. I drafted special interrogatories because I thought that was normally used in Nebraska. I would prefer to simply not giving [sic] special interrogatories. The problem I have is along the lines of [defendant's counsel's]. We have a three-count lawsuit, three separate injuries.... THE COURT: Do you want to give three verdict forms? [Plaintiff's counsel]: With three verdict forms with the plaintiff's claim on October 2nd, 1989 .... [Defendant's counsel]: If you're going to do that, why not do the interrogatories? .... [Plaintiff's counsel]: Because the interrogatories go on and on and on and are very long[,] confusing[,] and doesn't [sic] add anything other than what the court instructed in the earlier instructions about what the elements are and the claims. .... [Plaintiff's counsel]: Having now received the final set of instructions and the verdict forms that are used, plaintiff notes that the Court is tendering one verdict form and there are three separate counts in this case. Plaintiff would object to tendering only one verdict form with only one finding of gross damages without submitting separate verdict forms for each of the three injuries and the three claims that are in the lawsuit.