Opinion ID: 2056288
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: instructions on preexisting condition

Text: Moser alleges that the instructions concerning aggravation of a preexisting condition were confusing and amounted to misdirection. Additionally, she alleges that the trial court's failure to instruct on aggravation of a latent, asymptomatic condition was error and a new trial should be granted as to damages only. The instructions given were as follows: CONDITION NOT CAUSED BY DEFENDANT'S WRONGDOING The defendant cannot be held liable for any aggravation of the plaintiff's physical condition due to natural causes. If you find that the plaintiff suffers from some unfortunate condition which, although inviting your sympathy, was not proximately caused by any wrongdoing on the defendant's part, you may not assess damages for that condition against the defendant. If a person is not in good health or in good physical condition at the time he is subjected to wrongful conduct of another and his subnormal condition is aggravated by the wrongful conduct, the worsening effect is an item of detriment for which damages may be awarded if the injured person is otherwise entitled to recover damages. Moser contends that the first part of this instruction is confusing and should be determined to be grounds for granting a new trial pursuant to Mousel v. Widicker, 69 N.W.2d 783 (N.D.1955). The first part of this instruction could have been more clear, but a plain reading of the instruction reveals its proper construction. It simply means that the defendant is not liable for any aggravation of the plaintiff's physical condition when such aggravation is due to natural causes and is not due to the defendant's conduct. This is the obvious meaning of the three paragraphs when they are read together. As we said before, instructions must be read as a whole. Vasichek v. Thorsen, 271 N.W.2d 555, 561 (N.D.1978). When read as a whole, there can be no doubt that the instruction permits the plaintiff to recover for an aggravation of his condition resulting from the defendant's actions. This is a correct statement of the law. Kuntz v. Stelmachuk, supra, 136 N.W.2d at 819. Furthermore, while this instruction was being discussed in chambers, Moser's counsel did not request more specific language. In the absence of such a request, error cannot be assigned unless the instruction results in misdirection. Fisher v. Suko, 111 N.W.2d 360 (N.D.1961). Moser also asserts that it was error for the trial court to fail to instruct the jury that Wilhelm could be liable for activation of a latent asymptomatic condition. Moser testified that she did not have any pain before the accident. Expert testimony revealed that Moser had an osteoarthritic condition and that she had a mild to moderate degenerative change in her back described as normal wear and tear. Evidence was also received that a person with these conditions may have no pain at all and then some trauma or injury can trigger pain from these conditions. The parties agreed that Wilhelm would be liable for the pain suffered from these conditions if they were latent, symptom-free conditions prior to the accident and it was Wilhelm's actions which triggered the pain. The evidence revealed that Moser had some back trouble many years ago, and that approximately 15 years before trial she had treatment for her back. She had fallen outside a Red Owl store and had treatments for that fall from December 1973 to January 1974. She had twisted her back in 1974 simply sealing a jar. She had 59 chiropractic treatments between December 11, 1973, and May 21, 1976, when the accident occurred. If Moser's theory that her condition was latent and asymptomatic is supported by the pleadings, evidence, and applicable law she is entitled to have her theory presented to the jury. Johanson v. Nash Finch Company, 216 N.W.2d 271, 274 (N.D.1974). It is equally true that [e]rror cannot be based upon refusal to give instructions not warranted by the evidence. Munro v. Privratsky, 209 N.W.2d 745, 751 (N.D.1973). Under these circumstances, Moser's theory that she had a latent, symptom-free condition is not supported by the evidence, and it was not error for the trial court to refuse to instruct the jury on that theory. In our view, the court did not manifestly abuse its discretion in denying Moser's motion for a new trial on the issue of damages as the instructions were proper and covered all relevant theories of law. Cook v. Stenslie, 251 N.W.2d 393, 395 (N.D. 1977). It is not proper to give instructions on law not warranted by the evidence. Munro v. Privratsky, supra, 209 N.W.2d at 751.