Opinion ID: 1127746
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: charles a. carollo

Text: Charles was seven years old at the time of the accident and was seriously injured. The medical evidence in connection with these injuries is voluminous but generally not in dispute. Hence, we do not consider it necessary to describe it in detail although it was carefully considered by us in evaluating quantum. Charles' gravest injury was brain damage. He remained in a coma for approximately two months following the accident. During this time, several complications developed, including urinary and lung infections and severe weight loss. Treatment was primarily supportive care: tracheostomy tube, urinary catheter, respirator, and feeding intravenously and through a gastronomy tube. Unexpectedly, Charles regained consciousness and was allowed to leave the hospital and go home where he was still fed through a gastronomy tube for some time. Charles' brain injury resulted in spastic paralysis, causing a 100% permanent disability of the left upper extremity and a 70% permanent disability of the left lower extremity. He can now walk unassisted but must wear a brace on both his left arm and leg. There was testimony about possible future operations which might render his left hand and leg more functional by fusing the wrist and ankle joints; however, it was opined that the operations would not significantly decrease his disability. The operations would probably eliminate the need for the leg brace but not that of the hand brace. Evidence was also presented to establish the effect of the brain damage on Charles' intellectual ability and personality. The record reveals that he was at least of average intelligence prior to the accident but became dull-normal thereafter. A psychologist characterized his personality after the accident as passive-aggressive, i. e., one of hostility directed toward himself. The record contained medical testimony to support the fact that his personality changed after the accident and that this change was attributed to brain damage. Damages were also sought for Charles' loss of earning capacity. Expert testimony was adduced to the effect that his employment possibilities were severely limited by his mental and physical disabilities. An economist testified regarding loss of wages based on a work-life expectancy of 43.4 years. A 3% annual productivity factor and a 4% annual inflation factor were used in the calculations. Charles' earning capacity was computed on the basis of both a $2.30 per hour minimum wage and a $188 per week average manufacturing wage in Louisiana. The economist determined that the total work-life minimum wages ($1,240,476.62) discounted at 5% would entitle him to $303,782.05 today or, if discounted at 7%, to $192,999.37. On the other hand, the total work-life average manufacturing wages ($2,536,938.02) discounted at 5% would entitle him to an amount of $620,772.24 today or, if discounted at 7%, to $394,390.11. As previously indicated, the jury awarded $1,000,000 for Charles. The court of appeal calculated his loss of wages and estimated his maximum loss of earnings based on the evidence to be about $200,000. Moreover, the appeal court noted that counsel argued to the jury, without proper foundation in evidence, that Charles' loss of earnings were $620,000. The appeal court also noted that counsel's argument for general damages based on a money value per minute for the rest of his life may be an explanation for the excessive verdict. We are unable to determine how much of the $1,000,000 awarded for Charles was attributed to loss of wages. However, we do feel that the jury might well have erred in failing to give proper credit for wages which Charles could possibly earn. In any event, after carefully reviewing the entire record, we find that the record clearly reveals that the jury abused its discretion in awarding $1,000,000 for Charles. We further find that the maximum amount reasonably within the discretion of the jury is $600,000. Accordingly, the court of appeal erred in reducing the award below this amount to $400,000.