Document: 393 U.S. 156 89 S.Ct. 331 21 L.Ed.2d 309 Carl F. GRUNENTHAL, Petitioner,v.The LONG ISLAND RAILROAD COMPANY et al. No. 35. Argued Oct. 24, 1968. Decided Nov. 18, Milford J. Meyer, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. Daniel M. Gribbon, Washington, D.C., respondents. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner was working respondent as foreman a track gang when 300-pound railroad tie being lifted by fell and severely crushed his right foot. He sued damages under Federal Employers' Liability Act, 35 Stat. 65, amended, 45 U.S.C. § 51 seq., jury in District Court Southern New York awarded him $305,000.1 The trial judge denied railroad's motion to set award aside excessive. appealed denial Appeals Second Circuit, that court, one dissenting, ordered grant new unless petitioner would agree remit $105,000 award. 388 F.2d 480 (1968). We granted certiorari, 391 902, 88 1651, 20 416 (1968).2 reverse. 2 argues exceeded its appellate powers reviewing motion, either because such review is constitutionally precluded provision Seventh Amendment 'no fact tried jury, shall be otherwise reexamined any United States, than according rules common law,'3 or prohibited Act itself. have no occasion this case consider argument, assuming, without deciding, empowered invoked correct standard review, action judge, we view evidence, should not been disturbed. See Neese v. R. Co., 350 77, 76 131, 100 L.Ed. 60 (1955). 3 filed an unreported opinion.* considered deciding he 'must indulge * fairly accurate estimate factors which gave attention, favorable response, order arrive at verdict announced.' concluded because, applying standard, relevant evidence weighed heavily favor jury's assessment. His instructions had limited items wages lost before trial, compensation loss future earnings, past continuing pain suffering. detailed view, were sufficient support finding (1) amounted approximately $27,000, (2) based on petitioner's present salary $6,000 per annum plus likely increases over life expectancy 27.5 years amount $150,000 value, (3) 'an approaching (would appropriate) plaintiff's suffering—past future.' conceded aggregate seemed generous, but nevertheless it 'not generous fault outside bounds legal appropriateness.' emphasized 'the record here has many unusual features, most outstanding noncontroversial nature defense damages. impressed uncontroverted proof adduced plaintiff, may well adopted toto full significance drawn normal natural inferences therefrom law endorses.' 4 regarded inquiry determining whether abused discretion denying motion. Its guide determination, court stated, announced earlier decision Dagnello Long Island 289 797, 806 (1961): '(W)e judges (are) decide if presiding so high justice permit stand. must give benefit every doubt judgment judge; surely there upper limit, surpassed question with respect reasonable men differ, law.'4 5 read Dagnello, however, requiring make appraisal bearing Indeed re-examination led conclusion If made similar case, details are disclosed majority opinion. Beyond attaching unexplained failure complaint 'to ask large sum $305,000,' discussion bald statement 'giving Grunenthal doubt, weighing precisely same manner did cannot rational consistent excess $200,000.' F.2d, 484. therefore our own independent evidence. conclude abuse 'nothing untoward, inordinate, unreasonable outrageous—nothing indicative runaway head.' 6 liability damage issues separately jury. consisted stipulated hospital employment records, stipulation years, oral testimony medical expert, official union. offered witnesses. 7 41 age time injury employ years. concedes brief earning annually could properly find entitled $27,000 already four one-half year period between judgment. further $100,000 improper, premise invested federal securities realize annually. other hand appraised earnings light 'convincing refuted demonstrating steady wage recent work equivalent rendered strong likelihood continue.' 8 say judge's might instructed objection from free disabled 'that effect closed out career.' Although witness testified condition foot prevent engaging 'sedentary work,' unchallenged unsuccessful efforts obtain keep jobs kind reasonably chances obtaining holding doubtful. applications often turned down: '(W)hen they found I bad wouldn't take chance.' On obtained salesman during Christmas rush, 'I worked about five days couldn't stand it.' Moreover, refused failed examination given physician; after told, 'You can't you back,' said began receiving 'disability pension railroad.' 9 Since $150,000, suffering low $128,000 rather deemed permissible judge. In event higher record. Petitioner's caused hospitalization different times less two badly serious infection developed. wounds heal skin grafts thigh injury. Several months later gangrene doctors concerned 'foot die.' A sympathectomy performed, consisting incision abdomen reach spinal column sympathetic ganglia along spine remove (the) controls maintain closing down blood vessels.' This operation successful six forced submit yet another piece bone ball great toe. still hazard more surgery 'this just mess bones'—'the metatarsal completely crushed'—'the joint lost'—'the overall black appearance bone' 'indicates decalcification demineralization'—'the nourishment shows unhealthy foot.' always pain, like dull toothache, day,' now. It doesn't bother me now.' suffered continue suffer although learned live it. As Judge Hays noted, 485, referred total absence exaggeration' describing excruciating physical mental anguish' endured since accident. 'On here,' '(the jury) good reason regard assess (the future) excruciating, deep-seated, unrelenting debilitating—the inducing cause constant misery.' 10 disturbed Appeals. 11 reversed remanded direction enter affirming 12 ordered. 13 Reversed remanded. 14 HARLAN, dissenting. 15 think clear only issue conceivably justify presence States refusal district excessiveness. purports question, preferring rest upon alleged correctness Court's circumstances case. Like my Brother STEWART, am utter understand how manages proper while proclaiming avoided courts ever actions. 16 Even assuming feat gymnastics successfully believe particular decision, matter whose resolution depends possesses little general significance, suitable Accordingly, appropriate vote dismiss writ improvidently granted, even though formally unlimited writ. dissenting Protective Committee Independent Stockholders TMT Trailer Ferry, Inc. Anderson, 390 414, 454, 1157, 1178, To extent position inconsistent having joined curiam (1955), course followed today, feel bound frankly incongruity today's brings face-to-face disposition correct, now wrong.* professes constitutional inappropriate me, individual Justice, express 17 18 argument itself' prohibit judicial refusing Yet very act proceeding necessarily, quite correctly, rejects argument. fully appeals (or FELA) precludes excessive.'** 19 thorough carefully written Medina, articulated excessive: 'If reverse, discretion. excessiveness close balance, affirm. problem counsels restraint. Just called personally awarded, law. *' Id., 806. can better way verbalize 22 Medina again wrote prevailing criticizes setting 'a damages.' But devoted several paragraphs all particulars financial injuries, concluding following passage: 23 '(G)iving where allowed excessive, 480, 24 While arguable fuller factual order, suppose apply applying—the one, individualized personal cases left primarily appeals, affirm sought $250,000. amended leave $305,000 returned amount. rejected grounds appeal addressed dismissal third-party claim against contracting company furnished boom truck used gang. None those questions brought here. All held nothing Boyle Bond, U.S.App.D.C. 178, 187 362 (1951); Compania Trasatlantica Espanola, S.A. Melendez Torres, 358 209 (C.A.1st Cir. 1966); 797 (C.A.2d 1961); Russell Monongahela 262 349, 352 (C.A.3d 1958); Virginian Co. Armentrout, 166 400, A.L.R.2d 1064 (C.A.4th 1948); Glazer Glazer, 374 (C.a.5th 1967); Gault Poor Sisters St. Frances, 375 539, 547—548 (C.A.6th Bucher Krause, 200 576, 586—587 (C.A.7th 1952); Bankers Life & Cas. Kirtley, 307 418 (C.A.8th 1962); Covery Gas Oil Checketts, 561 (C.A.9th 1951); Barnes Smith, 305 226, 228 (C.A.10th 1962). (Reporter's Note: subsequently reported 292 F.Supp. 813 (D.C.S.D.N.Y.1967).) variously phrased: 'Common phrases as: 'grossly excessive,' 'inordinate,' 'shocking conscience,' 'outrageously 'so shock conscience court,' 'monstrous,' others.' supra, 802. state, partial confession avoidance Neese, took seat 348 IX, 950, 75 439, 99 742 ** ante, 157, n. 3.

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