Opinion ID: 1801467
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: is the evidence insufficient to support the verdict?

Text: Our review of the facts is limited to a consideration of whether there is substantial evidence to sustain the verdict. If there is, we are bound by the verdict. Jamestown Terminal Elevator, Inc. v. Hieb, 246 N.W.2d 736 (N.D.1976); Waletzko v. Herdegen, 226 N.W.2d 648 (N.D.1975). We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict. Kresel v. Giese, 231 N.W.2d 780 (N.D.1975). We do not disturb verdicts arrived at on evidence which is in conflict and from which reasonable men might draw different conclusions. Watkins Products, Inc. v. Stadel, 214 N.W.2d 368 (N.D.1973). The defendants, of course, do not dispute these general statements of our function. The specific point they make is that, in their view, the evidence presented by Everson is unreliable and incomplete and does not supply a rational basis for the verdict reached. They point out that Everson did not support his claim by an analysis of the insurance company records, which were available to him at the Denver office of the company, but instead based his computations on reports of gross premiums made to the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, from which calculations were made which supported his claim of entitlement to some $380,000. They point out that they established, by cross-examination or otherwise, that the computations were inaccurate, or potentially inaccurate, in approximately 12 different respects, including failure to reduce the claim by the amount of premiums on lapsed policies which were assigned to another agent and reinstated by him, certain expenses paid by the company for Everson, premiums paid on a life insurance policy on his life, and payments made by reason of an assignment to creditors, and failure to eliminate premiums in group health policies in which Everson had no interest. Some of these contentions were conceded by Everson to be correct. Everson, on the other hand, points out that the fact that the verdict was in an amount less than half the amount of his computations proves that the jury made allowances for the challenged items. The question before us is whether there was substantial evidence to support the verdict. It may be that we, or a different jury, might give more weight to the testimony of the defendants than the jury in question did, but there is substantial evidence to support the verdict, and the verdict must stand. It is not a function of the Supreme Court to make computations to show how the jury arrived at its verdict. Regan Farmers Union Co-op. v. Swenson, 253 N.W.2d 327 (N.D.1977). It is enough that there is substantial evidence to support the verdict. The jury is not required to take the testimony of either side at full face value, nor is there any requirement that one method of proof must be used in preference to another, [2] if both provide substantial bases for a determination by the trier of fact.