Court Opinion

ID: 4444073
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-10-03 19:09:15.864401+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:33:25.232225
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Herceg v. Lifson, 2019-Ohio-4072.]

                          IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                             FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                WASHINGTON COUNTY

KIMBERLY HERCEG,                                   :
as the Administratrix of the Estate of             :         Case No. 18CA17
Elizabeth Herceg,                                  :
                                                   :
        Plaintiff-Appellant,                       :
                                                   :         DECISION AND JUDGMENT
        vs.                                        :         ENTRY
                                                   :
BARRY J. LIFSON, M.D., et al.,                     :
                                                   :
        Defendants-Appellees.                      :         Released: 09/27/19

                                              APPEARANCES:

Chris J. Regan and Tyler Smith, Bordas and Bordas PLLC, Wheeling, West
Virginia, for Appellant.

Aaron E. McQueen, Jackson Kelly PLLC, Akron, Ohio, and Stephen S. Burchett,
Jackson Kelly PLLC, Lexington, Kentucky, for Appellees.

McFarland, J.

        {¶1} This is an appeal from a Washington County Court of Common Pleas

judgment entry awarding damages to Appellant the Estate of Elizabeth Herceg’s

wrongful death and survival action. On appeal, Appellant contends that (1) the

trial court erred by failing to grant Appellant a new trial due to inadequate

damages, (2) the trial court erred in denying Appellant’s request to clarify the

wrongful death jury instruction, and (3) the trial court erred in denying Appellant’s

request to suggest a verdict amount to the jury.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       2

      {¶2} Because we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion: (1) by

denying the Appellant’s motion for a new trial on the issue of damages, (2) by

denying Appellant’s motion to clarify the wrongful death instruction, or (3) by

denying Appellant’s request to suggest to the jury an amount of damages to award,

we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                      FACTS

      {¶3} On August 16, 2016, Appellant Kimberly Herceg, administratrix for the

estate of Elizabeth Herceg, filed a wrongful death and survival action against

Appellee Dr. Barry J. Lifson for causing the wrongful death of her mother,

Elizabeth Herceg. Generally, a wrongful death action permits surviving relatives

(beneficiaries) to recover certain statutorily defined damages for the wrongful

death of their relative. See R.C. 2125.02. And, a survival action permits those

beneficiaries to recover for the pain and suffering and expenses that the decedent

experienced prior to their death. Perry v. Eagle-Picher Indus., Inc., 52 Ohio St. 3d
168, 169-70, 556 N.E.2d 484 (1990).

      {¶4} Appellant’s complaint alleged that Dr. Lifson committed malpractice

during surgery by using the wrong antibiotic, which caused Elizabeth Herceg (the

decedent) to become septic and die. Appellant sought damages for the deceased’s

beneficiaries under the wrongful death statute, R.C. 2125.02, and a survival action

for the deceased’s pain and suffering before she died.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       3

      {¶5} The jury found by a preponderance of the evidence that Dr. Lifson was

negligent in caring for the decedent and that negligence was the proximate cause of

the decedent’s death. The jury awarded Appellant $56,434.27, which breaks down

as follows: $38, 245.06 for medical expenses, $3,189.21 for funeral expenses,

$15,000.00 for loss of services of the decedent, $0 for loss of society of the

decedent, $0 for the mental anguish of the decedent’s beneficiaries, and $0 for the

decedent’s pain and suffering. Here, Appellant asserts three assignments of error.

                            ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

      “I.    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY FAILING TO AWARD A
             NEW TRIAL ON DAMAGES AS TO ELEMENTS OF
             DAMAGES FOR WHICH ZERO DOLLARS WERE
             AWARDED NOTWITHSTANDING UNDISPUTED
             EVIDENCE OF SUCH DAMAGES.

      II.    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING THE
             PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST TO CLARIFY THE WRONGFUL
             DEATH COMPENSATORY DAMAGE INSTRUCTION.

      III.   THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING PLAINTIFF’S
             REQUEST TO SUGGEST A VERDICT AMOUNT TO THE
             JURY.”

                            ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

      {¶6} In the first assignment of error, Appellant asserts the trial court erred by

failing to grant a new trial for the zero-dollar award to the beneficiaries for the

decedent’s pain and suffering, as well as the beneficiaries’ loss of society and

mental anguish caused by the death of the decedent.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                     4

                                 Standard of Review

      {¶7} We begin by examining the Civil Rule addressing new trials, Ohio

Civ.R. 59, which, in pertinent part, states:

             (A) Grounds for New Trial.

             A new trial may be granted * * * upon any of the following

             grounds:

             ***

             (4) Excessive or inadequate damages, appearing to have been

             given under the influence of passion or prejudice;

             ***

             (7) The judgment is contrary to law;

             * * *.

      {¶8} The decision to grant or deny a motion for new trial is within the sound

discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse

of discretion. State v. Barnhart, 4th Dist. Meigs Nos. 18CA8, 18CA15, 2019-

Ohio-1184, ¶ 52, citing State v. Schiebel, 55 Ohio St. 3d 71, 564 N.E.2d 54,

paragraph one of the syllabus (1990).
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       5

                           Decedent’s Pain and Suffering

      {¶9} Appellant argues the zero-dollar verdict to the beneficiaries for the

decedent’s pain and suffering was contrary to law, against the manifest weight of

the evidence, or was awarded under the influence of prejudice.

      {¶10} Appellant first argues that a zero-dollar verdict for pain and suffering

is contrary to law if a jury awards medical expenses. In support, Appellant asserts

that “many Ohio courts have held that the” proposition that an award of medical

expenses in a personal injury case without an award for pain and suffering is

contrary to law requires the conclusion that there can be no set of facts in a

personal injury negligence case in which a plaintiff would be entitled the one type

of damages, but not the other. Drehmer v. Fylak, 2005-Ohio-4732, 163 Ohio

App.3d 248, 253, 837 N.E.2d 802, ¶ 11, quoting Haller v. Daily, Montgomery

App. No. 19420, 2003-Ohio-1941, 2003 WL 1894540, ¶ 24. A more complete

reading of this passage from Fylak reveals that its holding is actually contrary to

Appellant’s argument:

        “Fylak argues that the trial court was not required to find that the

        jury's denial of a pain-and-suffering award is against the weight of

        the evidence merely because the jury made an award for medical

        expenses and lost wages associated with the claim. We agree. We

        have held that the ‘proposition that an award of medical expenses in
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                     6

       a personal injury case without an award for pain and suffering is

       contrary to law requires the conclusion that there can be no set of

       facts in a personal injury negligence case in which a plaintiff would

       be entitled the one type of damages, but not the other.’ ” (Emphasis

       added.) Id.

Further, explanation is found in Haller:

       “The proposition that an award of medical expenses in a personal

       injury case without an award for pain and suffering is contrary to

       law requires the conclusion that there can be no set of facts in a

       personal injury negligence case in which a plaintiff would be

       entitled to recover the one type of damages, but not the other. We

       conclude that this proposition is not supportable. A person may

       sustain an injury that requires medical treatment, even though the

       injury is not accompanied by pain or suffering. Although it is not

       ordinarily the result of a traumatic injury, the onset of cancer, for

       example, if diagnosed early, is often unaccompanied by pain or

       suffering, but nevertheless requires medical treatment. Although

       instances of injury requiring medical treatment, unaccompanied by

       pain or suffering, may be rare, we are not prepared to hold that
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                      7

       these instances can never exist, as a matter of law.” (Emphasis

       added.) Haller at ¶ 24.

      {¶11} According to the Second District Court of Appeals, while it is typical

that an award of damages for medical treatment will also include damages for pain

and suffering, medical expenses and pain and suffering are nevertheless distinct

types of damages that must be independently proven. We agree. Therefore, the

trial court’s judgment that awarded damages for medical expenses without any

award for pain and suffering was not contrary to law solely on the basis that an

award of medical expenses always necessitates an award for pain and suffering.

      {¶12} Next, Appellant argues that the zero-dollar verdict for the deceased’s

pain and suffering is against the manifest weight of the evidence.

      {¶13} To evaluate a claim that a jury verdict is against the manifest weight

of the evidence, [a reviewing court examines] the entire record, weigh[s] the

evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider[s] the credibility of witnesses,

and determine[s] whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the jury clearly

lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that we must reverse

the conviction and order a new trial. State v. Wilks, 154 Ohio St. 3d 359, 389,

2018-Ohio-1562, 114 N.E.3d 1092, citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380,

387, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997), see also Harrah v. Enyart, 4th Dist. Lawrence No.

18CA8, 2019-Ohio-64, ¶ 33.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       8

      {¶14} [I]n order to set aside a damage award as inadequate and against the

manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court must determine that the verdict

is so gross as to shock the sense of justice and fairness, cannot be reconciled with

the undisputed evidence in the case, or is the result of an apparent failure by the

jury to include all the items of damage making up the plaintiff's claim. Drehmer,

163 Ohio App. 3d 248, 2005-Ohio-4732, 253, 837 N.E.2d 802, 805 (2nd Dist.) ¶ 9,

citing Bailey v. Allberry, 88 Ohio App. 3d 432, 435, 624 N.E.2d 279 (1993). In a

weight of the evidence review, “an appellate court generally must defer to the fact-

finder's credibility determinations.” Harrah, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 18CA8,

2019-Ohio-64, ¶ 33, citing Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St. 3d 328, 2012-Ohio-

2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 21.

      {¶15} Appellant argues that the “testimony of [she] and her sister concerning

the pain and suffering and emotional distress was uncontested.” Appellant claims

that Dr. Lifson admitted that the decedent “suffered ‘significant’ pain” following

the September 10, 2015 procedure. Therefore, the Appellant argues that evidence

of the decedent’s pain for the last 36 hours of her life was “uncontroverted.”

      {¶16} In order to understand if the jury’s zero-dollar verdict for the

decedent’s pain and suffering was against the manifest weight of the evidence, we

must begin by reviewing the facts and circumstances proximate to the decedent’s

surgery.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       9

      {¶17} Appellant’s expert opined that Dr. Lifson’s use of the antibiotic Cipro

to protect the decedent from infection during her September 10, 2015 surgery was

below the standard of care of a doctor treating a patient with a history of Extended-

Spectrum Beta-Lactamases-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLs E. coli) with stents

and her resistance profile.

      {¶18} Subsequent to surgery the decedent stated she “feels weird and she’s

nauseous * * * [a]nd she was complaining of pain, 7 out of 10.” The decedent was

transferred to the hospital. Hospital notes made four hours after surgery indicated

that she was “shaking, feeling nervous and cold.” Appellant’s expert opined that at

this point there would be concern that the decedent was “septic.” The next day she

passed away of septic shock.

      {¶19} There was also testimony from both parties’ experts at trial that the

decedent needed multiple surgeries to treat her bladder cancer, including the

September 10, 2015 surgery, and that she also suffered from significant and

unrelated comorbidities, including cirrhosis of her liver, an enlarged spleen,

endocarditis (there was testimony that she recovered from this), diabetes, high

blood pressure, and advanced kidney disease. Dr. Lifson also testified that upon

the decedent’s admission to the hospital on September 11, 2015, she was in pain

because her kidney was not draining.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       10

      {¶20} Finally, the experts also agreed that the surgery Dr. Lifson performed

the day before the decedent’s death was necessary to treat her cancer, and that the

surgery in and of itself was painful.

      {¶21} Initially, we note that the jury inserted a “0” on the line for the pain

and suffering damages on the jury verdict form. Clearly, the jury did not

inadvertently fail to award damages for pain and suffering, but intended no such

damages.

      {¶22} It is undisputed the decedent suffered pain subsequent to her surgery.

The question is whether the proximate cause of the post-surgical pain was due to

Dr. Lifson’s negligence of prescribing Cipro as the appropriate antibiotic, which

ultimately led to infection and death, or was it from the other factors discussed

above. Because there was conflicting evidence as to the source of the decedent’s

post-surgical pain, it was for the jury to determine its source. Based on the fact

that the jury awarded no damages for pain and suffering, it appears the jury

inferred that the decedent’s pain and suffering after the surgery was from her

comorbidities and/or the surgery itself. Under these facts, the zero-dollar damages

for pain and suffering is not “so gross as to shock the sense of justice and fairness”

and it can be reconciled because the evidence as to the cause of the decedent’s pain

is disputed. Accordingly, we find that the jury did not lose its way in determining
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                           11

the decedent’s pain was caused by her comorbidities so as to create a manifest

miscarriage of justice.

       {¶23} Finally, Appellant argues that the jury’s zero-dollar verdict for the

decedent’s pain and suffering appears to have been given under the influence of

prejudice.

       {¶24} “[T]he assessment of damages lies ‘so thoroughly within the province

of the [trier of fact] that a reviewing court is not at liberty to disturb the [trier of

fact's] assessment,’ absent an affirmative finding of passion and prejudice, or a

finding that the award is manifestly excessive or inadequate.” Burns v. Adams, 4th

Dist. Scioto No. 12CA3508, 2014-Ohio-1917, ¶ 76, quoting Lewis v. Nease, 4th

Dist. Scioto No. 05CA3025, 2006 WL 2439754, ¶ 53, quoting Musokovitz v. Mt.

Sinai Med. Ctr., 69 Ohio St. 3d 638, 655, 635 N.E.2d 331, 1994-Ohio-324.

       {¶25} Having found that there was conflicting evidence regarding the source

of the decedent’s pain and suffering in our analysis above, we conclude that the

zero-dollar award for pain and suffering was not the result of passion

and prejudice, but the jury’s proper evaluation of the evidence. Accordingly, we

find that the jury’s zero-dollar award for the decedent’s pain and suffering is not

contrary to law, against the manifest weight of the evidence, or the result of

passion or prejudice. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       12

denying Appellant’s motion for a new trial due to inadequate pain and suffering

damages.

              The Beneficiaries’ Loss of Society and Mental Anguish

      {¶26} Appellant argues that damages to the beneficiaries in a wrongful death

case are “rebuttably presumed,” and because the defendants in this case presented

no evidence to rebut that presumption, the jury’s zero-dollar verdict for the loss of

society and mental anguish was contrary to law. She also argues the zero-dollar

verdict for loss of society and mental anguish was against the manifest weight of

the evidence, or was given under the influence of prejudice.

      {¶27} In order to evaluate Appellant’s contrary to law argument, we begin

by examining the pertinent parts of the wrongful death statute, R.C. 2125.02:

      (A)(1) A civil action for wrongful death shall be brought in the name

      of the personal representative of the decedent for the exclusive

      benefit of the surviving spouse, the children, and the parents of the

      decedent, all of whom are rebuttably presumed to have suffered

      damages by reason of the wrongful death, and for the exclusive

      benefit of the other next of kin of the decedent.

      (2) The jury, or the court if the civil action for wrongful death is not

      tried to a jury, may award damages authorized by division (B) of this

      section, as it determines are proportioned to the injury and loss
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                    13

      resulting to the beneficiaries described in division (A)(1) of this

      section by reason of the wrongful death * * *.

            ***

      (B) Compensatory damages may be awarded in a civil action for

      wrongful death and may include damages for the following:

      (1) Loss of support from the reasonably expected earning capacity of

      the decedent;

      (2) Loss of services of the decedent;

      (3) Loss of the society of the decedent, including loss of

      companionship, consortium, care, assistance, attention, protection,

      advice, guidance, counsel, instruction, training, and education,

      suffered by the surviving spouse, dependent children, parents, or

      next of kin of the decedent;

      (4) Loss of prospective inheritance to the decedent's heirs at law at

      the time of the decedent's death;

      (5) The mental anguish incurred by the surviving spouse, dependent

      children, parents, or next of kin of the decedent. (Emphasis added.)

      {¶28} In a wrongful death case, a “surviving spouse, the children, and the

parents of the decedent” are “rebuttably presumed” to have suffered damages.

Ramage v. Cent. Ohio Emergency Serv., Inc., 64 Ohio St. 3d 97, 105, 1992-Ohio-
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                      14

109, 592 N.E.2d 828, R.C. 2125.02 (A)(1). This means that the defendants must

come forward with some evidence to “burst the bubble” of the presumed damages.

Horsley v. Essman, 145 Ohio App. 3d 438, 444, 763 N.E.2d 245, 249 (4th Dist.

2001).

      {¶29} “Other next of kin, although not presumed to have sustained damages,

may recover damages for mental anguish and loss of society upon proper proof

thereof, even though there is a surviving parent, spouse, or minor children.”

Ramage, at paragraph two of the syllabus.

      {¶30} R.C. 2125.02(B)(3) and (5) respectively state that loss of society and

mental anguish may be recovered by the decedent’s “surviving spouse, dependent

children, parents or next of kin.” Consequently, neither subsection provides

recovery for those damages by adult children of the deceased. However, “whether

the term ‘next of kin’ is given its ordinary dictionary meaning or a particular legal

definition, the term always includes children, adult or otherwise. Simply stated,

next of kin includes blood relatives.” (Emphasis added.) Katko v. Ohio State

Univ. Hosp., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 90AP-1117, 1991 WL 150945, at *8,

comparing R.C. 2105.03, and citing Black’s Law Dictionary 941 (5th Ed.1979) and

the Random House Dictionary of the English Language 1296 (2nd Ed.1987).

Accordingly, while their damages are not rebuttably presumed, adult children of

the deceased may recover damages for loss of society and mental anguish as the
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                      15

decedent’s “next of kin.” See Parker v. Bd. of Educ. for Sylvania City Sch. Dist.,

6th Dist. Lucas No. L-87-028, 1988 WL 30518, at *12. Next of kin beneficiaries

must prove loss of society and mental anguish damages by a preponderance of the

evidence. Id.

      {¶31} Therefore, we reject Appellant’s assertion that the zero-dollar verdict

for loss of society and mental anguish was contrary to law because damages were

rebuttably presumed in this case and the defendants failed to present some

evidence to rebut that presumption. Nevertheless, we must examine the record for

evidence of “loss of society” and “mental anguish” by the decedent’s next of kin,

including the decedent’s adult children, to determine whether the zero-dollar

verdict was against the weight of the evidence, or awarded under the influence of

prejudice.

      {¶32} There is some testimony from Appellant’s witnesses which could be

construed as loss of services, evidence of mental anguish, or loss of society. The

jury awarded Appellant $15,000.00 in compensatory damages for loss of services.

We are reminded that in a weight of the evidence review, “an appellate court

generally must defer to the fact-finder's credibility determinations.” Harrah, 4th

Dist. Lawrence No. 18CA8, 2019-Ohio-64, at ¶ 33, citing Eastley v. Volkman, 132
Ohio St. 3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 21. Therefore, we will defer

to the jury’s determination of reliability and credibility of the witnesses’ testimony
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                        16

in concluding that $15,000.00 for services was sufficient to compensate the

beneficiaries for their statutory-permitted compensatory damages. Consequently,

the jury’s zero-dollar verdict for loss of society and mental anguish was not “so

gross as to shock the sense of justice and fairness, [can] be reconciled with the

undisputed evidence in the case, [and] is [not] the result of an apparent failure by

the jury to include all the items of damage making up the plaintiff's claim.” Bailey,

88 Ohio App. 3d 432, 435, 624 N.E.2d 279 (1993). Therefore, we hold that the

trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Appellant’s motion for a new trial

for loss of society and mental anguish damages.

      {¶33} Finally, after considering the evidence and deferring to the jury

damages award, we also conclude that the verdict was not the result of passion or

prejudice.

                           ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

      {¶34} In her second assignment of error, Appellant argues that the trial court

erred in denying Appellant’s request to clarify the wrongful death compensatory

damage instruction, i.e. Appellant wanted the court to inform the jury that

“plaintiff and her sister were in fact [the decedent’s] next of kin.” Appellant

argues that because the jury awarded a zero-dollar award for loss of society and

mental anguish, it is reasonable to conclude that the jury misunderstood the trial

court’s jury instruction on wrongful death damages.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                     17

      {¶35} The jury instruction provided:

              “If you find for the plaintiff, you will decide what sum of

       money will compensate the beneficiaries for the injury and loss to

       them, resulting from the wrongful death of Elizabeth Herceg.

              When deciding damages suffered by reason of the wrongful

       death, you may consider the following:

              (A) * * *

              (B) Loss of services of Elizabeth Herceg;

              (C) Loss of society of Elizabeth Herceg, including loss of

       companionship, consortium, care, assistance, attention, protection,

       advice, guidance, counsel, instruction, training, and education

       suffered by the surviving spouse, dependent children, parents, or

       next of kin * * *.”

      {¶36} A court reviews “a trial judge’s decision not to give a jury instruction

for an abuse of discretion.” State v. Thompson, 141 Ohio St. 3d 254, 2014-Ohio-

4751, 23 N.E.3d 1096, ¶ 152, citing State v. Wolons, 44 Ohio St. 3d 64, 68, 541
N.E.2d 443 (1989).

      {¶37} The instruction is consistent with the wording of R.C. 2125.02 and

taken verbatim from the Ohio Jury Instructions. Further, we reject Appellant’s

argument that it is reasonable to conclude that the jury misunderstood the trial
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                      18

court’s jury instruction on wrongful death damages. As we analyzed above, it is

within the jury province to accept or reject the evidence presented at trial. This

case failed to conclude that there was any loss of society (or alternatively may have

included it within the award of services) or mental anguish to support any

damages.

      {¶38} Accordingly, we find that the trial court’s refusal to define “next of

kin” was not an abuse of discretion.

                          ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III

      {¶39} In her third assignment of error, Appellant argues that the trial court

erred in denying her request to suggest a verdict amount to the jury. Appellant

asserts that there are a number of Ohio cases which have authorized counsel to

suggest an amount of compensation to the jury for pain and suffering, and/or the

use of a mathematical formula to calculate pain and suffering during closing

remarks, provided the court instructs the jury that such an argument is not to be

received as evidence or that the defendant had an opportunity to respond to

plaintiff’s argument. Appellant further asserts in this case, rather than unilaterally

embarking on a suggestion to the jury of an amount for pain and suffering, or the

use of a mathematical formula to calculate pain and suffering during closing

remarks, which would have been proper, Appellant cautiously and respectfully

sought the court’s permission to request a figure for non-economic damages.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                       19

      {¶40} The holdings in many of the cases cited by Appellant rely on

Grossnickle v. Germantown, 3 Ohio St. 2d 96, 209 N.E.2d 442 (1965). In

Grossnickle, at paragraph one of the syllabus, the court stated:

       “In an action for personal injuries for which money damages for

       pain and suffering are recoverable, it is permissible for counsel for

       the injured party to suggest in argument a daily monetary amount

       which, when multiplied by a factor fairly representative of the

       probable duration of the pain and suffering, illustrates the basis for

       the total amount sought as compensation therefore, if the court

       instructs the jury that such argument is not to be received as

       evidence. Making such suggestion for the first time in closing

       argument exceeds the bounds of propriety but does not constitute

       prejudicial error if no objection is interposed on that ground.”

       (Emphasis added.)

      {¶41} Grossnickle makes it “permissible” for counsel to suggest a monetary

amount for pain and suffering damages, but does not bestow any right upon a party

to do so. This is consistent with a trial court’s “inherent authority and wide

discretion in exercising its duty to administer proceedings.” State v. Cunningham,

113 Ohio St. 3d 108, 112-13, 2007-Ohio-1245, 863 N.E.2d 120, ¶ 25, citing State v.

Boddie, 3rd Dist. Allen No. 1-2000-72, 2001 WL 1023107. And a court's decision
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                    20

in this regard “will not be disturbed absent a showing that the court abused that

discretion, which is defined “as an unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable use

of discretion” Id.

      {¶42} Because we find that the trial court’s failure to permit Appellant’s

counsel to suggest an amount of damages was not unreasonable, arbitrary or

unconscionable, we overrule the Appellant’s third assignment of error.

                                  CONCLUSION

      {¶43} As such, we find the trial court did not err by denying Appellant’s

motion for a new trial on the issue of damages; by refusing to clarify the

instruction it gave the jury on wrongful death; or by declining to permit

Appellant’s counsel to provide the jury with a suggestion for the amount of

damages it should award. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                       JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Washington App. No. 18CA17                                                     21

                              JUDGMENT ENTRY

      It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and that costs be
assessed to Appellant.

      The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

     It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the
Washington County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.

       Any stay previously granted by this Court is hereby terminated as of the date
of this entry.

       A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule
27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Smith, P.J. and Abele, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.

                                              For the Court,

                                       BY: ______________________________
                                           Matthew W. McFarland, Judge

                             NOTICE TO COUNSEL

             Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final
judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the
date of filing with the clerk.