Opinion ID: 490593
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Disability and Disfigurement/Pain and Suffering

Text: 11 Appellants claim that the district court erred in failing to award damages for Mr. Wolkenhauer's disability and disfigurement resulting from the collision. The appellants further maintain that the court's award for damages was deficient because the court failed to distinguish between past and future pain and suffering. The appellees contend that the district court's findings comport with the requirements of Fed.R.Civ.P. 52(a). They also claim that Mr. Wolkenhauer's disability and future pain and suffering were compensated by the $50,000 award for pain and suffering. 12 In this diversity case, we must decide whether the district court's damages award compensated the appellants for their injuries under Illinois law and whether the court's findings are sufficiently detailed to demonstrate the basis for the award in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 52(a). Under Illinois law, the court must award damages that will reasonably and fairly compensate the plaintiff for the injuries sustained as a result of the defendant's negligence. The primary purpose of tort law is to compensate plaintiffs for the injuries they have suffered wrongfully at the hands of others, and damages for negligence are ordinarily computed by comparing the condition plaintiff would have been in but for the tort with plaintiff's impaired condition as a result of the wrong. Goldberg v. Ruskin, 128 Ill.App.3d 1029, 84 Ill.Dec. 1, 5, 471 N.E.2d 530, 534 (1984), aff'd, 113 Ill.2d 482, 101 Ill.Dec. 818, 499 N.E.2d 406 (1986). In an action for personal injury, the plaintiff may recover reasonable medical expenses, Department of Law Enforcement v. Willis, 61 Ill.App.3d 495, 18 Ill.Dec. 775, 778, 378 N.E.2d 239, 242 (1978), impairment of earning capacity, Robinson v. Greeley and Hansen, 114 Ill.App.3d 720, 70 Ill.Dec. 376, 380, 449 N.E.2d 250, 254 (1983), pain and suffering, lost wages, and disability and disfigurement. Jurney v. Lubeznik, 72 Ill.App.2d 117, 218 N.E.2d 799, 805 (1966). The jury or trial judge is vested with discretion in making its damages determinations. As an appellate court reviewing that determination, we must keep in mind that [b]efore an award of damages will be disturbed on review the size of the damages must clearly indicate that it was the result of prejudice or passion. Messina v. Zody, 13 Ill.App.3d 566, 300 N.E.2d 851, 853 (1973). 13 Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, in pertinent part, provides: 14 In all actions tried upon the facts without a jury, ... the court shall find the facts specially and state separately its conclusions of law thereon.... Findings of fact, whether based on oral or documentary evidence, shall not be set aside unless clearly erroneous, and due regard shall be given to the opportunity of the trial court to judge of the credibility of the witnesses.... 15 In assessing what damages resulted from the defendants' negligence, this court is bound by the trial court's findings of fact unless they are clearly erroneous. Berwind Corp. v. Litton Indus., Inc., 532 F.2d 1, 8 (7th Cir.1976). In reviewing the specificity of findings supporting awards for damages, the courts have acknowledged that the degree of exactness of the findings required depends on the circumstances of the particular case. Fuchstadt v. United States, 434 F.2d 367, 370 (2d Cir.1970) (quoting Kelley v. Everglades Drainage Dist., 319 U.S. 415, 419, 63 S.Ct. 1141, 1143, 87 L.Ed. 1485 (1942)). In certain situations, detailed findings are necessary so that the appellate court is able to evaluate the considerations that prompted the district court to make the award. Itemization of the award is particularly appropriate when the total amount awarded may appear to be an overly generous one unless so substantiated. Id. However, as stated by the Fifth Circuit, adequate review of an award can often be accomplished even though the award is in 'lump sum' form. Neill v. Diamond M. Drilling Co., 426 F.2d 487, 491 (5th Cir.1970) (per curiam). 16 In this case, the district court did not award damages in a lump sum form and its findings were sufficiently specific to satisfy the requirements of Fed.R.Civ.P. 52(a). 1 For example, the court itemized the special damages and awarded Mr. Wolkenhauer his expenditures for such costs as ambulance fees, rehabilitation, medical treatment, prescriptions and anesthesia. Further, read in context, the court's award for pain and suffering compensated Mr. Wolkenhauer not only for past pain and suffering, but also for future pain and suffering. The district court stated that [t]he fact that an injury does not involve substantial permanent disability does not mean it did not and does not generate a lot of pain and suffering. Wolkenhauer v. Smith, No. 82-1251, mem. op. at 19 (C.D.Ill. Oct. 28, 1986); R.42 at 19 [hereinafter cited as Mem. op.]. Implicit in this statement is the court's recognition that Mr. Wolkenhauer's compensation encompasses both his past and future pain and suffering, as well as the 5% upper extremity impairment that he suffered. 2 Finally, while appellants have demonstrated that Mr. Wolkenhauer was partially disabled as a result of the accident, they have not shown that he suffered any disfigurement. Even if the surgery performed on Mr. Wolkenhauer's shoulder left scars, the appellants have not introduced evidence to show that these scars were disfiguring. Therefore, the district court was not required to award Mr. Wolkenhauer an additional amount for disfigurement. 17 We agree with the appellees that the district court's findings regarding damages for pain and suffering were adequate under Illinois law and that the $50,000 award compensated Mr. Wolkenhauer for his 5% upper extremity impairment and for future pain and suffering. We also conclude that the district court's findings were sufficiently detailed to support the award for pain and suffering. 18