Opinion ID: 1890354
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Timely Appeal

Text: The parties disagreed when arguing CSX's directed verdict motion about proof of Moody's after-tax wages and about whether a collective bargaining agreement permitted CSX to offset certain medical expenses. The trial court denied the motion, noting that the issues could be resolved after the jury returned its verdict but before judgment was entered, by means of post-trial briefs and additional proof if required. The disagreement arose again when discussing jury instructions concerning damages, at which time the parties agreed to brief the issues as suggested earlier by the court. CSX made an oral motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) immediately after the jury returned a verdict, raising four issues. The trial court denied the motion to vacate as to negligence and the sufficiency of evidence that disability from the injury caused Moody's wage loss. Consistent with the parties' agreement, the court deferred a ruling and designated the time within which the parties should brief whether damages for wage loss must be based on after-tax earnings and whether CSX was entitled to offset future medical expenses paid under its medical plan. CSX filed its brief, albeit styled as a motion for JNOV, on October 10, 2003 and Moody filed a brief in response. The trial court determined after a hearing that the record contained ample proof to support the verdict and denied the balance of the oral motion on November 21, 2003. A subsequent order struck final and appealable language from the November 21 order. The trial court entered judgment on the jury's verdict on December 18, 2003. On Monday, December 29, 2003 CSX filed a motion for JNOV or, in the alternative, a new trial, which included both the issues raised in the oral motion and new issues. Although the trial court denied the motion for JNOV on December 28, 2004, the order failed to address the new trial request. CSX requested a ruling on the request on January 6, 2005, after which the trial court entered an order acknowledging that it remained pending. The court entered an order denying a new trial on June 27, 2005 and CSX filed a notice of appeal on July 14, 2005. Although Moody moved to dismiss, the Court of Appeals denied the motion and affirmed the trial court. Moody's cross-appeal asserts that the Court of Appeals erred by failing to grant his motion to dismiss CSX's appeal as untimely. He argues that CR 59.02 and the first sentence of CR 50.02 permit a motion for JNOV and/or a new trial to be made at any time after the jury returns a verdict but within 10 days after the entry of judgment. Moreover, they permit the motion to be made orally, immediately after the jury renders its verdict, or filed in writing no later than 10 days after judgment is entered. He concludes that CSX moved for JNOV or, in the alternative, a new trial before judgment was entered. [3] Moody maintains, therefore, that CSX's post-judgment motion for JNOV or a new trial amounted to a motion to reconsider the denial of the initial motion, which did not toll the time for filing a notice of appeal. We disagree. Although CR 73.02(1)(a) requires a notice of appeal to be filed within 30 days after the notation of service of the judgment or order being appealed, CR 73.02(1)(e) terminates the running of the time for appeal upon the filing of a timely motion for JNOV or a new trial. The time commences to run when an order granting or denying the motion is served under CR 77.04(2). CR 50.02, which authorizes a motion for JNOV, provides: Not later than 10 days after entry of judgment, a party who has moved for a directed verdict at the close of all the evidence may move to have the verdict and any judgment entered thereon set aside and to have judgment entered in accordance with his motion for a directed verdict; or if a verdict was not returned, such party within 10 days after the jury has been discharged may move for judgment in accordance with his motion for a directed verdict. A motion for a new trial may be joined with this motion, or a new trial may be prayed for in the alternative. If a verdict was returned the court may allow the judgment to stand or may reopen the judgment and either order a new trial or direct the entry of judgment as if the requested verdict had been directed. If no verdict was returned the court may direct the entry of judgment as if the requested verdict had been directed or may order a new trial, (emphasis added). CR 59.02 provides: A motion for a new trial shall be served not later than 10 days after the entry of the judgment. The term judgment notwithstanding the verdict may be construed to include an initial judgment that disregards the jury's verdict. The third sentence of CR 50.02 states specifically, however, that a trial court when ruling on a motion for JNOV and/or a new trial may either allow the judgment to stand or reopen the judgment, either of which presumes that a judgment has been entered. In other words, CR 50.02 authorizes motions that request the court to reconsider and reopen an existing judgment. We do not view the oral motion made at the close of trial or the brief filed in support of the oral motion as being premature motions for JNOV and/or a new trial. [4] Unlike the situation in Cloverleaf Dairy v. Michels, [5] CSX filed only one motion to reconsider a judgment. The motion tolled the time for taking an appeal until 30 days after the notation of service of the order denying the motion for a new trial. CSX's notice of appeal was timely because it was filed within the 30-day period.