Opinion ID: 2313425
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Motion for a New Trial or Additur

Text: Finally, the plaintiff-appellants contend that the trial judge erred by denying their motion for a new trial or additur. We review a denial of a motion for a new trial for abuse of discretion. [16] We will find an abuse of discretion if the jury verdict was against the great weight of evidence, no reasonable jury could have reached the result, and the denial was untenable and unreasonable. [17] Likewise, we review a denial of a motion for additur for abuse of discretion. [18] A trial judge confronted with a motion for additur must review the record and determine if the damages awarded by the jury are within a range supported by the evidence and should vacate the jury award only if it is so grossly out of proportion to the injuries suffered as to shock the Court's conscience and sense of justice. [19] The damages awarded in this case were for wrongful death. Public policy contemplates that wrongful death actions will compensate a decedent's surviving loved ones for their loss resulting from the decedent's death. [20] Here, the judge instructed the jurors that they could consider loss of monetary benefits, loss of parental and household services, and mental anguish when determining damages. The jurors were further instructed that there is no fixed standard or measurement. The jury award $20,000 each to both of Rae's daughters. Rae and her daughters lived together. Rae was 75 with a life expectancy of twelve years. Although she was retired, she helped with household chores. Both daughters were diagnosed with depression after the accident, prescribed medication, and attended grief counseling. We afford enormous deference to jury verdicts. [21] The jury award here shocks no reasonable person's conscience given the actual evidence presented and falls within a rational range consistent with that evidence. Thus, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion by denying the motion for new trial and additur.