Opinion ID: 1903369
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether purdon is entitled to a remittitur or a new trial on the damages as they are legally excessive because the jury verdict evinces bias, passion, and prejudice.

Text: ¶ 9. We proceed on a case-by-case basis in determining whether a jury award is excessive. Biloxi Elec. Co. v. Thorn, 264 So.2d 404, 405 (Miss.1972). In truth, a jury verdict can be so excessive as to evince bias, passion, and prejudice; however, we have stated a very high standard of review. The damages, therefore, must be so excessive as to strike mankind, at first blush, as being beyond all measure, unreasonable, and outrageous, and such as manifestly show the jury to have been actuated by passion, partiality, prejudice, or corruption. In short, the damages must be flagrantly outrageous and extravagant, where they have no standard by which to ascertain the excess. Detroit Marine Eng' v. McRee, 510 So.2d 462, 471 (Miss.1987) (citing Biloxi Elec., 264 So.2d at 405). Furthermore, [t]he only evidence of corruption, passion, prejudice or bias on the part of the jury is an inference, if any, to be drawn from contrasting the amount of the verdict with the amount of damages. Biloxi Elec., 264 So.2d at 406. Evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict and all reasonable inferences are given thereof. Odom v. Roberts, 606 So.2d 114, 118 (Miss. 1992). In essence, we will not disturb a jury's award of damages unless its size, in comparison to the actual amount of damage, shocks the conscience. City of Jackson v. Locklar, 431 So.2d 475, 481 (Miss.1983). ¶ 10. In James v. Jackson, 514 So.2d 1224 (Miss.1987), we enumerated the elements of damages which must be examined for evidence of bias. They are (1) past and future pain and suffering; (2) past and future medical expenses; (3) lost wages; and (4) future disability. Id. Purdon argues that Locke introduced evidence of a mere one-year of present physical pain and none as to future pain. Purdon also theorizes that since Locke underwent a second bypass surgery in December 1998, his emotional distress is limited by this fact. Also, as Locke points out, the issue of future pain was dropped along with the instruction describing the same. Locke counters Purdon's argument by asserting that ample evidence exists to support physical pain and emotional distress. As for medical expenses, Locke introduced medical bills totaling $45,721.29. Purdon objected to the introduction of these bills but raises the denial of his motion as a separate assignment of error, so we shall wait to address that issue. Finally, there was no claim as to lost wages or future disability, so those too are non-issues. ¶ 11. In addition to asserting that the elements of damages do not justify an award of $500,000 (oddly, Purdon makes only a cursory argument against the award as to Rita Locke), Purdon also points to various statements throughout the trial, that he claims, evince bias and prejudice. Among the alleged improper statements, the phrase that is a loaded question, made by a juror during voir dire and reiterated by the judge, has been indicated as evidence of bias. However, Locke points out that Purdon did not object to the comments or strike the juror in question. He also had every opportunity to further question the jurors and clarify the matter. As further evidence of alleged prejudice, Purdon contends that Lockes' counsel made inflammatory remarks during closing arguments, such as paralleling damages to punishing an unruly child by whoop him (Purdon) until you broke your belt and suggesting that Purdon would return to Oxford and brag that I showed them over in Quitman County. On this point, Purdon's argument contains two fatal flaws. First, the propriety of closing arguments is left to the sound discretion of the trial judge, and only an abuse of discretion will warrant second-guessing his decision. James W. Sessums Timber Co. v. McDaniel, 635 So.2d 875, 882 (Miss. 1994). Second, as with the other statements, Purdon could have objected or otherwise rectified the problem. Purdon chose not to do so, and these small statements alone do not prove a verdict based on prejudice. ¶ 12. Finally, Purdon ventures to equate his case with several previous holdings by this Court. First, Purdon cites Wells Fargo Armored Serv. Corp. v. Turner, 543 So.2d 154 (Miss.1989) in support of remittitur. In that case, we reduced the plaintiff's recovery from $3,461,082 to $850,000. Purdon argues that the damages in Wells Fargo were considerably more extensive and debilitating then those evidenced in the case sub judice, and if that case required remittitur, then the present award is far too extensive. As previously stated, jury awards are examined on a case-by-case basis. Biloxi Elec., 264 So.2d at 405. In Wells Fargo, at least three million dollars of the jury award was allotted for pain and suffering. In that particular case and under those particular circumstances, this Court felt the $3,000,000 award to be too excessive. In the present case, around $450,000 represent pain and suffering, and at first blush, such a figure does not shock the conscience. In addition, Purdon cites Rawson v. Midsouth Rail Corp., 738 So.2d 280 (Miss.1999), in which we affirmed a remittitur of $112,500 from a $187,500 judgment granted by the trial judge. However, when deciding on the propriety of a trial judge's ruling, we apply an abuse of discretion standard. Sessums Timber Co., 635 So.2d at 882. Thus, although Rawson dealt with a remittitur, the holding actually supports the judge's denial of Purdon's motion in the instant case. The trial judge is in a much better position to decide whether the evidence and testimony support a jury award. Per our charge, we give the verdict all favorable inferences. As such, we find no abuse of discretion by the trial judge, as well as no evidence that would require us to label the present jury award as exorbitant.