Opinion ID: 2538233
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Additur or New Trial

Text: Doxsee next argues that the trial court erred in rejecting her alternative post-trial motions for additur or a new trial. In these motions, Doxsee argued that, under the factors set out in the United States Supreme Court's decision in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [13] and adopted by this court in State v. Coon, [14] the superior court erred in admitting the testimony of Progressive's expert, Dr. Ballard. Doxsee additionally pointed to three occasions when, according to Doxsee, the court admitted evidence that was more prejudicial than probative, in violation of Alaska Evidence Rule 403. Doxsee contended that the combined effect of these errors and the jury's allegedly unreasonable verdict entitled her to additional damages of $21,766 ($10,136 for the cost of her second surgery and $11,630 for pain and suffering) or, in the alternative, to a new trial. The superior court denied Doxsee's motions. On appeal, Doxsee argues that in light of all the errors she has claimed, the evidence was so slight and unconvincing as to make the verdict unreasonable and unjust. [15] Doxsee's argument is premised on her claims of evidentiary error. But Doxsee waived her claim as to Dr. Ballard's expert testimony by agreeing not to object to its admission if Dr. Ballard would restrain his testimony to review of the medical evidence without relying on any opinions as to the `force of the collision.' When Dr. Ballard testified at trial, Doxsee's counsel stated that he had no objection. Having agreed to Dr. Ballard's testimony, Doxsee cannot now assert that its admission was error justifying additur or a new trial. [16] Doxsee's remaining claims are based on three instances when the superior court admitted evidence that Doxsee claims was highly prejudicial. [17] First, the trial court allowed the defense to question Doxsee about cursing at the driver who collided with Adrian in the accident. Second, the court allowed the defense to question Doxsee about her earlier lawsuit against Adrian's ex-wife, Wanda Delane. And finally, the court allowed the defense to question Dr. Spindle about his use of a surgical tool in the course of Doxsee's second surgery that he had constructed from the camshaft of a Chevrolet. But Doxsee's argument improperly assumes its own premisethat the trial court erred in admitting this evidence. Doxsee has not challenged the court's evidentiary rulings in independent points on appeal. In connection with her additur/new-trial claim, she advances conclusory assertions concerning the prejudicial impact of the disputed evidence but offers no discussion of its potential probative value and sets forth no meaningful legal analysis to establish that the court erred in its evidentiary rulings. Our own review of the record reveals no abuse of discretion. Accordingly, we find no merit in Doxsee's allegations that evidentiary error required the trial court to grant her motion for additur or a new trial.