Opinion ID: 1782808
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sears' cross-points

Text: In a cross-point, Sears argues that it is not liable for deceptive trade practices or unconscionable conduct because Hurst failed to submit an issue on whether she was adversely affected by Sears' conduct. At the time of Sears' misconduct, section 17.50(a) of the DTPA authorized a private cause of action if a consumer had been adversely affected by the deceptive trade practices or unconscionable actions of another. 1973 Tex.Gen.Laws, ch. 143, § 1 at 326. [4] The trial court submitted special issues inquiring whether Sears' unconscionable conduct and failure to secure an inspection and permit were producing causes of Hurst's damages, if any. The jury's affirmative findings on the producing cause issues were sufficient to satisfy the statute's requirement that Hurst be adversely affected by Sears' conduct. Riojas v. Lone Star Gas Co., 637 S.W.2d 956, 959 (Tex.App.Fort Worth 1982, writ ref'd n.r.e.). In other cross-points, Sears argues that the trial court erred in awarding damages for physical pain and suffering because there was no evidence or the evidence was insufficient to support the jury finding, and in the alternative, the amount of damages was manifestly too large. Hurst testified that the smoke from the heating unit caused her to cough, made her stomach ache, and gave her headaches for two or three months. We reject Sears' argument that there was no evidence of physical pain and suffering. The sufficiency of the evidence and the excessiveness of the damages awarded for pain and suffering are questions of fact over which this court has no jurisdiction. Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann. arts. 1728, 1821; see Hart, The Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Texas, in State Bar of Texas, Appellate Procedure in Texas § 25.2 (1979). Since the court of appeals did not address these two questions, we must remand the cause to that court for a ruling on them. Sears also questions the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury finding of unconscionable conduct in special issue 5. We do not remand this question to the court of appeals because Hurst has established an independent ground of recovery in special issue 3 for a per se deceptive practice. Sears does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury's determination of the damages to Hurst's house, draperies, and clothing. Nevertheless, we cannot render judgment for Hurst for these damages because Sears' liability may have to be redetermined in a new trial. On remand, the court of appeals may find insufficient evidence to support the jury finding on Hurst's physical pain and suffering and order a new trial. Rule 434 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure provides that a separate trial on unliquidated damages alone shall not be ordered if liability issues are contested. Sears contested its liability in the trial court, the court of appeals, and this court. If the court of appeals finds insufficient evidence of physical pain and suffering, it must remand on the liability issues as well as the damage issues. Since Sears' liability may be subject to a new trial, we cannot render judgment for any of Hurst's damages or attorney fees. We reverse the judgment of the court of appeals [5] and remand the cause to that court to determine the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury finding on Hurst's physical pain and suffering and whether the damages awarded for pain and suffering are excessive.