Opinion ID: 1118523
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the motion for judgment n.o.v.

Text: In response to the Authority's request for judgment n.o.v. the district court ruled that [t]he defendant is not entitled to a judgment n.o.v. on the issue of breach of contract. There is substantial evidence that would support the jury's determination that the plaintiffs substantially performed the contract, were wrongfully terminated and were damaged as a result of the termination. Decision on Post-Trial Motions at 4. In determining on appeal whether a judgment n.o.v. should or should not have been granted, this Court applies the same standard as does the trial court, and grants no deference to that court's views. Quick v. Crane, 111 Idaho 759, 727 P.2d 1187 (1986). This Court must review the record, drawing all inferences from the evidence in a light most favorable to BBH, to determine whether substantial evidence supports the jury verdict. However, in the present situation we cannot properly review the trial court's decision because the court misconstrued the Authority's judgment n.o.v. motion, in particular, that portion of the Authority's motion which asserts that [t]here is not sufficient evidence to support a substantial portion of Plaintiffs' claims for damages, and the Defendant should be granted a Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict with respect to these damages under Rule 50(b) of the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure. R. at 201 (emphasis added). The Authority's main contention in its motion and on appeal is that, as a matter of law, based upon the evidence presented at trial, BBH is not entitled to damages for any alleged additional services performed by them, or for the incentive bonus. The trial court only discussed BBH's proof at trial on these issues in the context of the Authority's new trial motion. Because the trial court did not discuss whether substantial evidence supported the jury's award of damages to BBH, and only addressed the jury's finding of liability, it did not adequately address the Authority's motion for a judgment n.o.v. Therefore, we must remand for the trial court's reconsideration of the Authority's motion, in accordance with this opinion.