Opinion ID: 1192010
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: judgment n.o.v. new trial

Text: In ruling on a motion for judgment n.o.v., the trial court must view the facts as if the moving party has admitted the truth of all the non-moving parties evidence. I.R.C.P. 50(b); Mann v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 95 Idaho 732, 736, 518 P.2d 1194 (1974); Quick v. Crane, 111 Idaho 759, 763, 727 P.2d 1187 (1986). If, after reviewing the evidence in this manner, the court finds that the evidence is of sufficient quantity and probative value that reasonable minds could have reached the same conclusion as did the jury, then the jury's verdict will be upheld. Quick v. Crane ; Smith v. Praegitzer, 113 Idaho 887, 749 P.2d 1012 (Ct. App. 1988) review denied, 116 Idaho 467, 776 P.2d 829 (1988). Furthermore, the determination of whether the evidence before the Court considering the judgment n.o.v. is sufficient to create an issue of fact is purely a question of law. Quick v. Crane, 111 Idaho at 759, 727 P.2d at 1187 (1986). And, in determining whether a judgment n.o.v. should have been granted, the appellate court applies the same standard as does the trial court which originally ruled on the motion. Id. Hudson's proper cause of action was in contract, not tort. Accordingly, as a matter of law, we must hold that the judgment n.o.v. was proper. It could be argued that the negligent misrepresentation cause of action should never have been submitted to the jury. However true this might be, it does not affect the validity of the trial court's judgment n.o.v. A motion for judgment n.o.v. has been described as a delayed motion for directed verdict and it can be used by the district court to correct its error in denying a directed verdict. Hibbler v. Fisher, 109 Idaho 1007, 712 P.2d 708 (Ct.App. 1985). In conclusion, this Court holds that although negligent misrepresentation, as recognized in Idaho Bank & Trust Co. v. First Bancorp of Idaho, 115 Idaho at 1082, 772 P.2d at 720 (1989), is a viable cause of action in Idaho, the trial court's judgment n.o.v. was proper. Costs are awarded to respondents. BAKES, C.J., and JOHNSON, BOYLE, JJ., concur.