Opinion ID: 585918
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: new trial on damage issues

Text: 18 The standard of review for a district court's disposition of a motion for new trial is abuse of discretion. McWhorter v. City of Birmingham, 906 F.2d 674 (11th Cir.1990). 19 Florida law governs the adequacy of damages. See Coastal Petroleum Co. v. U.S.S. Agri-Chemicals, 695 F.2d 1314, 1319 (11th Cir.1983) (generally stating Erie doctrine). 20 The test to be applied in determining the adequacy of a verdict is whether a jury of reasonable men could have returned that verdict. This test is simply stated but may be difficult to apply in a particular case. We are aware of the difficulties and frustrations courts experience in the search for the mythical jury of reasonable men. The appellate court must be ever alert against the temptation to substitute its 'verdict' for that of the jury. On the other hand, we must not refuse to act to relieve the injustice of either a grossly inadequate or excessive verdict. 21 Griffis v. Hill, 230 So.2d 143, 145 (Fla.1969). 22 Absent a showing that the verdict was induced by prejudice or passion, a misconception of the law or the evidence, or a failure by the jury to consider all of the elements of damage involved, an appellate court should assume that the jury considered all elements of damage. 23 Harrison v. Housing Resources Management, Inc., 588 So.2d 64, 66 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1991). A reviewing court must acknowledge the deference which should be shown to the trial judge who, like the jury, heard all of the evidence. Id. These standards apply to Mr. Davis' claims for pain and suffering and for loss of past earnings, as well as to Mrs. Davis' claim for loss of consortium. See Frye v. Suttles, 568 So.2d 983 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1990). 24 With regard to alleged pain and suffering, Mr. Davis testified that he is never free from pain and the pain affects even his sleep. Mr. Davis' co-workers testified that they have observed Mr. Davis in pain when he performs certain physical tasks. Mrs. Davis corroborated some of this testimony. 25 The plaintiffs maintain that the jury found for them on the issue of medical causation because it awarded over $20,000 for past and future medical costs. They complain that the damage awards for some elements of plaintiffs' cause of action, and the denial of any award for pain and suffering and for other elements, were inconsistent, and they contend they should have a new trial on the latter claims. 26 The defendant answers the plaintiffs by arguing that the jury did not find for the plaintiff on medical causation. The defendant points to evidence to support the conclusion that Mr. Davis' pain and suffering, if any, may have been caused by other factors. Defendant also argues that there is a deferential standard of review and that the jury simply did not believe Mr. Davis' complaints about pain. 27 There is a strong presumption of correctness afforded jury awards. In this case, we AFFIRM the district court's denial of the motion for a new trial. The jury's verdict does not conclusively indicate that it accepted a causal relationship between the accident and the complaints. There was evidence that the pain might have been caused by a pre-existing degenerative condition. Additionally, the jurors might not have accepted the testimony of the plaintiffs' witnesses in this regard. 28 With regard to loss of consortium, Mrs. Davis claims that she has to do more work at home as a result of Mr. Davis' injury. She further testified that sexual relations with Mr. Davis are way down. Mrs. Davis attributed these problems to the accident. 29 In contrast to her other testimony, Mrs. Davis also stated that Mr. Davis was working harder at the office and that he was staying at work later than before the accident. Mr. Davis and his brother admitted that the family business was more hectic than it had been in the past. Dr. Price testified that he had treated Mr. Davis for stress prior to the accident. These facts would support a jury conclusion that Mr. Davis' problems may have been brought about by causes other than the Wal-Mart accident. The jurors simply may not have believed the plaintiffs in all respects. A loss-of-consortium plaintiff is not entitled to a new trial if the evidence is insubstantial and rebutted. Hagens v. Hilston, 388 So.2d 1379, 1381 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1980). We find no error as to Mrs. Davis' claim. 30 Mr. Davis also contends that the jury's failure to award him damages for loss of earnings warrants the grant of a new trial. He points to evidence that he missed, at least, two weeks of work. The defendant counters by maintaining that Mr. Davis failed to offer evidence on the monetary value of any weeks away from his work caused by the episode in question. The defendant avers that Mr. Davis, in fact, lost no income during the period away from work. The jury's verdict is supported by evidence that Mr. Davis did not suffer any actual monetary loss by virtue of the accident, nor did Mr. Davis present sufficient evidence to indicate any monetary value to his claimed inability to work during the relevant period. We are satisfied that denial of plaintiffs' motion for a new trial was not reversible error.