Opinion ID: 1863608
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Limitation of New Trial to Issue of Damages

Text: In the district court's order granting a new trial, the only basis identified for the order is excessive damages. The order identifies no error in the jury's determination of liability. Holmes argues that if a new trial is to be had, it should be limited to the issue of damages. When the issue of liability has been determined and there has been error in the determination of damages such that the verdict must be set aside, a new trial may be limited to the issue of damages. Omaha Mining Co. v. First Nat. Bank, 226 Neb. 743, 415 N.W.2d 111 (1987). See, also, Erftmier v. Eickhoff, 210 Neb. 726, 316 N.W.2d 754 (1982), overruled on other grounds, Nielsen v. Adams, 223 Neb. 262, 388 N.W.2d 840 (1986) (affirming award of new trial but modifying order by limiting new trial to issue of damages). The district court's order simply states that the defendants are granted a new trial on the assault and battery and July 9, 1994, false imprisonment cause of action; the order does not specify whether the new trial is to be limited to the issue of damages. The district court, however, did not find any error in the jury's verdict insofar as the jury found that Holmes had proved liability on the part of the defendants. This court's own review of the record reveals no such error. Consequently, we conclude that the district court abused its discretion in not explicitly limiting the new trial to the issue of damages. Holmes' second assignment of error has merit. Based on our resolution of Holmes' first assignment of error, we affirm the district court's order of a new trial on Holmes' first two causes of action. However, based on our analysis of Holmes' second assignment of error, we modify the order of the district court and direct that the new trial on these causes of action be limited to the issue of damages. See Erftmier v. Eickhoff, supra .