Court Opinion

ID: 9728485
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:09:24.151053+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:49.104076
License: Public Domain

M. F. Cavanagh, P.J.
(concurring). I concur in the result reached by my brothers but write separately only to note that this case presents us with the opposite side of the coin on the threshold question. I have concurred in Watkins v City Cab Corp, 97 Mich App 723; 296 NW2d 162 (1980), with the proposition that the vagueness of the phrase "serious impairment of body function” warrants its determination as a matter of law only where the injury squarely falls on either end of the spectrum. Anything in between should be left to the determination of the trier of the fact. This case epitomizes the reason for my persuasion. The injuries here consisted of complete breaks of both bones in the lower right leg to a man whose occupation was that of a farmer. The plaintiff was required to wear four different casts on his leg between the months of August 1975 to March of 1976. Plaintiff was required to utilize crutches and thereafter a walker. Plaintiff was unable to work due to the condition of his leg, and even up to the time of trial testified that his leg had returned to fifty percent of normal use and that he was still experiencing pain and limping. In my opinion, I cannot see how reasonable minds could differ that these injuries constituted a serious impairment of body function. However, differ they did. Both the trial judge and the jury in this instance determined that a serious impairment did not exist. Accordingly, for the reasons stated in Watkins v City Cab Corp, supra, I am constrained to affirm.