Opinion ID: 1613711
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: legal analysis standard of review

Text: The defendant sought a directed verdict and later, to overturn the jury's verdict by a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. Both were denied by the circuit court. Our standard of review of the circuit court's denial of a directed verdict and of the jury's determination in favor of this plaintiff is well established. We must examine the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party and give him the benefit of all reasonable inferences. Robinson v. Mudlin, 273 N.W.2d 753, 755 (S.D.1979). The moving party is entitled to evidentiary consideration only where its evidence is uncontradicted or tends to amplify, clarify or explain the evidence in support of the verdict of the jury for the prevailing party. Nugent v. Quam, 82 S.D. 583, 152 N.W.2d 371, 374 (1967). In such a context, it becomes our task to review the record and determine whether there is any substantial evidence to allow reasonable minds to differ. Haggar v. Olfert, 387 N.W.2d 45 (S.D.1985). This court does not weigh the evidence and substitute its judgment for that of the jury. Robinson v. Mudlin, supra ; Berg v. Sukup Mfg., 355 N.W.2d 833, 835 (S.D.1984). The decision of the jury is likely to be upheld as questions of negligence, contributory negligence and assumption of the risk are for the determination by the jury in all except the rarest of instances. Stoltz v. Stonecypher, 336 N.W.2d 654, 657 (S.D.1983). See also Myers v. Lennox Co-op Ass'n, 307 N.W.2d 863, 864 (S.D.1981). It is only when the facts show beyond any dispute that plaintiff has committed negligence more than slight, that it is appropriate for the circuit court and this court to hold, as a matter of law, for a negligent defendant. Starnes v. Stofferahn, 83 S.D. 424, 160 N.W.2d 421, 426 (S.D.1968). In the absence of a factual dispute, where the evidence warrants, the circuit court and this court can find assumption of the risk as a matter of law. Lovell v. Oahe Elec. Coop, 382 N.W.2d 396, 400 (S.D.1986); Jackson v. Van Buskirk, 424 N.W.2d 148 (S.D.1988); Musilek v. Stober, 434 N.W.2d 765 (S.D.1989). [8] Such a finding by the trial court precludes the plaintiff from a recovery. Howard v. Sanborn, 483 N.W.2d 796, 798 (S.D.1992).