Court Opinion

ID: 9736613
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:01:04.983323+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:27:07.586488
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE MURPHY, specially concurring: I agree with Justice Greiman’s disposition of this case. However, I write separately concerning the remand of this case to the trial court for a hearing to determine the appropriate amount of remittitur. As the majority and separate concurring opinion both note, Illinois courts have consistently declined to compare damages awarded in different cases to determine if an award is excessive. Velarde v. Illinois Central R.R. Co., 354 Ill. App. 3d 523, 543 (2004). As noted in Justice Campbell’s concurrence, this issue is best determined on a case-by-case approach. I agree that the award in this case is slightly excessive and that a hearing to set a remittitur amount better serves the interests of justice than a new trial or our setting an award. While I respect the guidance given by the majority, I would defer to the sound judgment of the trial court after the hearing rather than establishing an acceptable range. Great deference should be given to the findings and decision of the trial court in determining a proper award.