Opinion ID: 1464520
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Speculative Damages Award

Text: The district court found that Officer Engle was entitled to a new trial, because the jury's award of damages was speculative, excessive, and unsupported by clear weight of the evidence. The damages were speculative, because the minimal injuries suffered by Tortu could not support such a wide differential between the cost of Tortu's medical treatment (an amount of less than $5,000) and the ultimate award ($175,000). Accordingly, to avoid a miscarriage of justice, the district court concluded that a new trial was necessary. Tortu presented evidence that his medical bills amounted to less than $5,000. Tortu's pain and suffering lasted no longer than two weeks. There was no evidence presented that the injury prevented Tortu from performing any ordinary tasks, or that he suffered even minimal discomfort after two weeks. The trial judge is in the best position to weigh the evidence of Tortu's embarrassment and humiliation. These facts support the conclusion that the clear weight of the evidence in the record did not support the jury's award. While one may disagree with the trial court, one cannot say that it abused its discretion in making the decision. These facts support its view. We have also affirmed other district courts in similar situations. Oltz, 861 F.2d at 1453 (affirming the trial court's grant of motion for new trial based on its findings that damages were excessive); William Inglis & Sons Baking Co. v. ITT Continental Baking Co., 668 F.2d 1014, 1050 (9th Cir.1981) (same); Hanson, 541 F.2d at 1359 (same).