Opinion ID: 419771
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Inadequate General Damages

Text: 13 Shipman asserts that the general damage award of $10,000 is inadequate. Specifically, he claims that the jury failed to properly account for his past and future pain and suffering as well as past and potential lost earnings. Because the size of the award is generally a question of fact, this Court is exceedingly hesitant to overturn the decision of the jury and the trial judge who approved the award. Shows v. Jamison Bedding, Inc., 671 F.2d 927, 934 (5th Cir.1982). Thus, a refusal by a trial judge to grant a new trial as to the amount of damages awarded by a jury is reversible for abuse of discretion only where the jury's verdict is without factual support in the record. C.A. May Marine Supply Co. v. Brunswick Corp., 649 F.2d 1049, 1053 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 1125, 102 S.Ct. 974, 71 L.Ed.2d 112 (1981). In the instant case, the jury's damage award was supported by the evidence before it, including evidence that (1) Shipman's medical expenses were free at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital, (2) no surgery was performed and none was indicated, (3) Shipman was fit for service four and one-half months after the accident, (4) his injury was not severe (circulation and sensation were intact), (5) he suffered no atrophy or loss of motion in his foot, and (6) he continued to work without any diminished income after the injury. 14 Even if the jury, in awarding $10,000, accounted for Shipman's lost earnings for a five-month disability at his suggested amount of $5,400 ($300.00 per week for the eighteen weeks he claims he was unfit for duty), and attributed the balance to pain and suffering, the award cannot be said to be inadequate. There was no positive evidence of potential lost earnings or future pain and suffering. Similarly, there was no evidence that Shipman suffered excruciating agony. At most, there was expert testimony that he might experience discomfort in cold weather in the future. Moreover, Shipman was unable to verify a claim that he visited a doctor in South Africa because of the pain. In short, the evidence indicated that Shipman suffered a minor injury creating no functional disability. Because Shipman failed to demonstrate that his slight disability will substantially impair his work or future earning capacity, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in denying a motion for a new trial on this issue.