Opinion ID: 1809717
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Code Sheet

Text: ¶ 33. The controversy revolves around a code sheet, a chart filled out whenever a crash cart is used; actually, the issue concerns its absence. Although it is RMC's policy to fill out the code sheet whenever a crash cart is used, there is no record of a code sheet involving Bradshaw. Various witnesses remember different bits of information about a code sheet or writing down information the night of the incident. Yet, Bradshaw's patient file did not contain her code sheet, and a copy was never found. Bradshaw wanted to introduce evidence concerning the code sheet, including asking witnesses and a blank copy of one for reference. In addition, Bradshaw asked for a jury instruction allowing an adverse inference from the sheet disappearance. The trial judge refused the instruction, but allowed Bradshaw to discuss the evidence. ¶ 34. Brandon takes issue with the admission of the blank code sheet and the references to the disappearance of the copy for Bradshaw's file. Brandon argues that the code sheet had no relevance to the issues at hand, and even if it did, the unfair prejudice outweighed the probative value. To evidence its point, Brandon points to the denial of an adverse inference instruction. If the code sheet were truly relevant, the trial judge would have allowed the instruction; since it did not, the evidence should not have been allowed. ¶ 35. Bradshaw contends that the sheet was highly relevant as an at-the-moment record of what occurred in the hospital room. At the least, its absence suggests a failure by the nursing staff to properly follow RMC's procedures and policies. Bradshaw also asserts that Brandon failed to properly object, but the trial transcripts cast some doubt on the issue. In any case, Brandon did not meet its burden necessary to warrant reversal for an error (if any) in an evidentiary ruling.
¶ 36. We proceed on a case-by-case basis in determining whether a jury award is excessive. Biloxi Elec. Co. v. Thorn, 264 So.2d 404, 405 (Miss.1972). In truth, a jury verdict can be so excessive as to evince bias, passion, and prejudice; however, we have stated a very high standard of review: The damages, therefore, must be so excessive as to strike mankind, at first blush, as being beyond all measure, unreasonable, and outrageous, and such as manifestly show the jury to have been actuated by passion, partiality, prejudice, or corruption. In short, the damages must be flagrantly outrageous and extravagant, where they have no standard by which to ascertain the excess. Detroit Marine Eng'g v. McRee, 510 So.2d 462, 471 (Miss.1987) (citing Biloxi Elec., 264 So.2d at 405). Furthermore, [t]he only evidence of corruption, passion, prejudice or bias on the part of the jury is an inference, if any, to be drawn from contrasting the amount of the verdict with the amount of damages. Biloxi Elec., 264 So.2d at 406. Evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict and all reasonable inferences are given thereof. Odom v. Roberts, 606 So.2d 114, 118 (Miss. 1992). In essence, we will not disturb a jury's award of damages unless its size, in comparison to the actual amount of damage, shocks the conscience. City of Jackson v. Locklar, 431 So.2d 475, 481 (Miss.1983). ¶ 37. In essence, Brandon identifies two grounds as evidence that the award was excessive. First, it points out that Bradshaw's own damages projectionists admitted that studies place the cost of care for individuals with brain injuries between $600,000 and $2,000,000, much lower than the figures the experts arrived at. In addition, even assuming all the figures are accurate, the jury awarded close to $3,000,000 for intangibles such as loss of enjoyment of life, pain, and suffering. Individually and combined, Brandon contends, evince that the jury was driven by bias, sympathy, and prejudice. ¶ 38. Bradshaw states, and we agree, that even taking Brandon's two points as true, the standard of review does not call for setting aside this jury's verdict. In addition, Brandon did not object to the projectionists' qualifications or their statuses as experts. Brandon also failed to put on any opposing testimony, including a failure to introduce any of the above referenced studies into evidence. In any case, the studies showed general conditions, whereas the experts went into meticulous detail over the costs of life time care for Bradshaw. On this point, Dr. Randall Thomas even stated that he was conservative in some of his cost estimates (i.e. manual wheelchair rather than motorized, modified van instead of new, etc.). As for the figures, Dr. Richard Thompson, an economist, set the present-day value of Bradshaw's damages at $6,328,155.00, and Dr. Randall Thomas, a life-care planner, set the figure at $5,255,243.91. Further calculations put Bradshaw's lost income at $496,919.00, and her medical bills $326,258.28. When one considers these figures, the incredible emotional and physical pain Bradshaw lives with, and the fact that her present existence does not remotely resemble her former life, $9,000,000.00 does not seem excessive in the least. We may not have awarded as high a figure, but we give deference to the jury and accept the award as fair.