Court Opinion

ID: 9545542
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 17:15:15.593012+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:15:03.946567
License: Public Domain

Schroeder, J.,
dissenting: I respectfully dissent from that portion of the opinion which grants Rexroad a new trial on the issue of damages only. In my opinion the jury failed to follow instructions which were clearly given to it concerning damages, and permitted the insurance issue which remained in the case to influence its decision. Under the circumstances it cannot be said the jury determined the issue of negligence without compromise.
It is generally stated that while, concededly, negligence and damages are legally separable issues, yet where there is a strong suspicion that the jury may have awarded inadequate damages as a result of a compromise involving the question of liability, such an order should not be made.
I respectfully submit the judgment of the lower court should be reversed and a new trial should be granted on all issues.
Parker, C. J., and Price, J., join in the foregoing dissent.