Opinion ID: 2059833
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: constitutionality of the wrongful death act

Text: Plaintiff asserts that her constitutional right to a remedy at law, Vt. Const.Ch. I, Art. 4, has been violated by the trial court's decision. We disagree. Plaintiff had an available remedy at law for her injuries, i.e., pecuniary damages, pursuant to § 1492(b). It was her failure to prove these damages, rather than any constitutionally suspect action by the trial court, which foreclosed her remedy. The trial court's decision did not violate any of plaintiff's fundamental rights. See O'Grady v. City of Montpelier, 573 F.2d 747, 751 (2d Cir.1978) (court will not reach constitutional issue where evidence insufficient for determination of plaintiff's claim).