Opinion ID: 1139006
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Propriety of the Damages Award: Disposition

Text: The damages award of $180,000 is without evidentiary support and cannot be affirmed. The only evidence discoverable in the record are two one-page bills: (1) one from Dr. Charlton S. Stanley in the amount of $120.00 for forensic consultation and a telephone conference, and (2) the other from Dr. Barbara Goff in the amount of $1045.00 [4] presumably for psychiatric care. This simply does not add up to the award of $180,000. Assuming arguendo that this award also accounts for punitive damages, the dollar amount is not determinable from the record. In his written judgment, the trial judge merely concluded that Nevels should be and hereby is awarded judgment ... in the sum of $180,000. Vol. I, at 11. This Court cannot blind itself and permit an award which is virtually devoid of substantiation. See Hooten v. State, 492 So.2d 948, 950-51 (Miss. 1986) (Writing for the Court, Justice Patterson declared: [W]e are ... authorized to reverse for an abuse of discretion [if] we find [that the trial judge's decision] was `arbitrary.'). See also Strickland v. Rossini, No. 07-CA-59266, Slip Op. at 11-12 ___ So.2d ___, ___-___ (Miss. Dec. 12, 1990). In sum, the award is vacated. The case is remanded for a hearing on the damages issue alone. This opinion should serve as notice that damages awards must be supported by evidence, and such evidence must be reflected in the record if it is to be affirmed on appeal.