Opinion ID: 1817185
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: did the trial court improperly remit the jury's verdict?

Text: A jury's verdict is presumed by this Court to be correct. Cooper Chevrolet, Inc. v. Chambers, 529 So.2d 913, 914 (Ala. 1988). However, the trial court may order a remittitur of a jury's verdict where it is clear that the verdict was the result of bias, passion, prejudice, corruption, or other improper motives. Aspinwall v. Gowens, 405 So.2d 134, 137 (Ala.1981). The trial court may not reduce the jury's verdict solely on the grounds that it thinks the victim is being overcompensated. Hammond v. City of Gadsden, 493 So.2d 1374, 1379 (Ala.1986). In order for the trial court to remit a jury verdict, it must state for the record the factors considered in either granting or denying a motion for new trial based upon the alleged excessiveness or inadequacy of a jury verdict. Id. In its order, the trial court stated that the verdict rendered in this case by the jury shocked the court and it is considered by the court that the verdict and judgment heretofore rendered in this cause in favor of the plaintiff is excessive.... The trial court's order does not meet the requirements of Hammond, because the reasons for reducing the jury verdict were not specified. Therefore, we reverse the judgment insofar as it was based on the remittitur and remand this cause for a hearing in accordance with our opinion in Hammond. On all other issues, we affirm. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; AND REMANDED. HORNSBY, C.J., and JONES, SHORES and HOUSTON, JJ., concur.