Opinion ID: 2314468
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Inadequacy of the Verdict as a Matter of Law

Text: The members of Teresa's family testified to her character, work habits, thrift, skills and ambitions. Her interest in futhering her education in art and her father's intention to have her receive a college education were also testified to. Arthur M. Kenison, an economic and financial counsel, testified to the net economic loss to Teresa's estate as a result of her death. Exhibits prepared by him, and currently before us, were introduced into evidence, showing such loss to range above $100,000, considering the effect of federal income taxes on her earnings, and allowing for personal consumption. The defendant did not produce any expert testimony on the projected pecuniary loss to Teresa's estate. The defendant's counsel, however, argued in his closing, without objection, that when he asked the plaintiff's expert in cross-examination whether his calculations included the Social Security Tax, which is a significant tax, especially in our society today and getting more significant, he said `No.' [1] Mr. Kenison's direct testimony and the cross-examination of the defendant's counsel were not transcribed and, consequently, are not subject to examination by this court in assessing the adequacy of the verdict. Contrary to the plaintiff's argument, this court therefore is not in the practical position of the trial judge because we lack a complete record on damages. See Loney v. Parsons, 111 N.H. 353, 358, 284 A.2d 910, 914 (1971) (Griffith, J., dissenting in part). [2-5] It is well established that the burden of proof was on the plaintiff to show by a preponderance of the evidence the extent and amount of its damages. Pugliese v. Town of Northwood, 119 N.H. 743, 751, 408 A.2d 113, 118 (1979); see Suojanen v. Tardif, 121 N.H. 1036, 1040, 437 A.2d 310, 312 (1981). The trier of fact is not bound by an expert's testimony even when it is uncontradicted. Gowen v. Brothers, 121 N.H. 377, 380, 430 A.2d 159, 160-61 (1981); see Appeal of Barrington Educ. Ass'n, 121 N.H. 949, 953-54, 437 A.2d 718, 721 (1981). The weight to be given to evidence is within the jury's province, and the jury may accept or reject in whole or in part an expert's testimony. Gowen v. Brothers, 121 N.H. at 379-80, 430 A.2d at 160-61; see Rogers v. Pub. Serv. Co. of N.H., 121 N.H. 956, 959, 437 A.2d 263, 265-66 (1981). The jury could have drawn several reasonable conclusions from the testimony presented in this case. As a result, we cannot say as a matter of law that the verdict is inadequate or that the trial court erred or abused its discretion in upholding the jury verdict. See Rogers v. Pub. Serv. Co. of N.H., 121 N.H. at 959, 437 A.2d at 265-66.