Opinion ID: 1324601
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Denial of SCDOT's motions

Text: In the interest of judicial economy, we address the merits of SCDOT's appeal. See Floyd v. Horry County School Dist., 351 S.C. 233, 234, 569 S.E.2d 343, 344 (2002); Faile v. S.C. Dep't of Juvenile Justice, 350 S.C. 315, 328, 566 S.E.2d 536, 543 (2002). SCDOT argues (1) the trial court erred in denying its motion for new trial absolute based upon the excessiveness of the verdict; (2) the trial court erred in denying it's motion for leave to amend to assert the statutory defense of immunity for design; and (3) the trial court erred in denying its motions for a directed verdict and judgment notwithstanding the verdict based upon the absence of proof of causative negligence on the part of SCDOT and the absence of notice of defect to SCDOT after its remedial actions and prior to Elam's accident. We disagree. When considering a motion for a new trial based on the inadequacy or excessiveness of the jury's verdict, the trial court must distinguish between awards that are merely unduly liberal or conservative and awards that are actuated by passion, caprice, or prejudice. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Durham, 314 S.C. 529, 431 S.E.2d 557 (1993). The decision to grant or deny a new trial absolute based on the excessiveness of a verdict rests in the sound discretion of the trial court and will not ordinarily be disturbed on appeal. South Carolina State Highway Dep't v. Clarkson, 267 S.C. 121, 226 S.E.2d 696 (1976). We conclude the record reflects the jury was presented with uncontradicted evidence that, as a result of the accident, Elam suffered physical and mental injuries sufficient to support the jury's verdict. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying SCDOT's motion for a new trial absolute based on the amount of the verdict. Further, the trial court did not err in denying SCDOT's motion for leave to amend to assert the statutory defense of immunity of design. During Elam's case in chief, SCDOT moved the trial court to allow it to amend its answer to assert the design defense of S.C.Code Ann. § 15-78-60(15) (Supp.2003). SCDOT sought to amend its answer to conform to the evidence presented that the water on the roadway, which allegedly caused Elam's accident, was a result of an inadequate drainage pipe. The trial court ruled there was no competent evidence the water on the highway was due to a design error. The decision whether to allow a party to amend a pleading to conform to the evidence is left to the sound discretion of the trial judge. Foggie v. CSX Transp., Inc., 313 S.C. 98, 431 S.E.2d 587 (1993). We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying SCDOT's motion. Finally, we find no error on the part of the trial judge in denying SCDOT's motions for a directed verdict and JNOV based on the absence of negligence on the part of SCDOT. When reviewing the denial of a motion for directed verdict or JNOV, an appellate court must employ the same standard as the trial court by viewing the evidence and all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Strange v. South Carolina Dep't of Highways & Pub. Transp., 314 S.C. 427, 445 S.E.2d 439 (1994). The appellate court will reverse the trial court only where there is no evidence to support the ruling below. Id. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Elam, it is reasonably inferable the jury could find SCDOT's negligence caused the accident. The jury heard the testimony of several witnesses, including SCDOT's former resident maintenance engineer for Allendale County, who testified SCDOT had actual notice the site of Elam's accident was a flood hazard. Sergeant G.F. King, a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, testified there had been numerous accidents during the past eight years at the same location. Sergeant King testified he had reported the condition to SCDOT on numerous occasions. Given the testimony of these witnesses and others, the jury could reasonably have found SCDOT negligent in failing to properly maintain the highway. SCDOT argues the trial court erred in denying its motions for a directed verdict and JNOV based on the absence of notice of the defect after the department's remedial work actions and prior to Elam's accident. We affirm the trial court's ruling the evidence presented a jury question on whether SCDOT took any remedial actions. See Strange, supra .