Opinion ID: 1635088
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Excessive Damages Due to Passion and Prejudice

Text: A motion for a new trial brought on the ground of excessive damages due to passion and prejudice of the jury is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court. Rule 59(b)(5), N.D.R.Civ.P.; Teegarden v. Dahl, 138 N.W.2d 668, 688-689 (N.D.1965); 46 A.L.R.3d 708 (1972). The function of this court on appeal is to determine whether or not the trial court abused its discretion and whether or not that abuse has resulted in an injustice. Skjonsby v. Ness, 221 N.W.2d 70, 74 (N.D.1974). Hail Unlimited contends that it: was the victim of the passion of the jury. The jury saw the chance to gouge an insurance company, and did just that. There were several statements made that could have fueled the jury's prejudice. Hail Unlimited refers to a statement made by Roberts indicating that Roberts asked an adjuster to look at his fields and the adjuster refused. Hail Unlimited also asserts that several of Roberts's complaints about the adjusters served to anger the jury and that testimony as to high crop yields influenced the jury in awarding a verdict in Roberts's favor. This court has discussed the meaning of passion and prejudice and the resulting influence on a jury. Skjonsby, supra 221 N.W.2d at 76-77. We have stated that passion and prejudice, in order to justify the granting of a new trial, usually connote anger, resentment, hate, and disregard of the rights of others. Skjonsby, supra . In addition, a presumption exists that the jury consists of fair-minded persons and that the jury's verdict represents an honest judgment. Julson v. Loyal Order of Moose Number 822, 140 N.W.2d 39, 45-46 (N.D.1966). This presumption is overcome only when the jury's verdict is so excessive as to shock the conscience of the court. Julson, supra . The verdict in the instant case is not excessive. The percentages of loss computed by the jury were well within the range of figures testified to at trial by both Hail Unlimited and Roberts. Even if we determine that the verdict is excessive, as Hail Unlimited asserts, the verdict does not approach that level which shocks the conscience of the court. After reviewing the testimony at trial, we conclude that the record does not illustrate that passion and prejudice existed on the part of the jury. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm. ERICKSTAD, C.J., and PEDERSON, VANDE WALLE and SAND, JJ., concur.