Court Opinion

ID: 9712633
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 04:57:37.449091+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:13.419893
License: Public Domain

SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION ON DENIAL OF REHEARING Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE CARTER delivered the opinion of the court: Plaintiff has filed a petition for rehearing in this court, alleging as grounds therefor that the court misapprehended the facts relating to the issue of contributory negligence and that the court’s opinion does not adequately explain how the case is to be retried on the issue of damages. We adhere to the views expressed in our earlier opinion concerning contributory negligence and see no need to discuss that issue any further. However, we agree with plaintiff that a more detailed explanation of the issues which must be resolved upon retrial is required.  Under Illinois Pattern Instruction, Civil, No. 160.13 (2d ed. 1971), which explains how damages are to be determined in cases brought under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act, the jury must first compute the amount of plaintiff’s damages without reference to the question of contributory negligence, then decide what percentage, if any, of the total combined negligence of the parties causing plaintiff’s injury consisted of plaintiff’s negligence, and, finally, reduce by that percentage the amount of damages which would have been awarded had plaintiff’s negligence not contributed to his injury. See 45 U.S.C. §53 (1970); I.P.I. Civil No. 160.13 (2d ed. 1971); Louisville & Nashville R.R. Co. v. Wene, 202 F. 887 (7th Cir. 1913); Sprickerhoff v. Baltimore & Ohio R.R. Co., 323 Ill. App. 340, 55 N.E.2d 532 (4th Dist. 1944). In our earlier opinion in this case, we reversed and remanded for a new trial because the issue of contributory negligence was improperly withheld from the jury. Plaintiff, therefore, reasons that the jury’s verdict of $249,200 represents the first step in the procedure outlined above, that is, the amount of damages without reference to the question of contributory negligence. He contends that because the jury has already ascertained the amount of damages, the sole issue remaining for determination upon retrial is the amount, if any, by which the damages must be reduced because of plaintiff’s contributory negligence. Plaintiff points out that if the retrial is limited in this manner, then only evidence concerning the causes of plaintiff s accident will have to be presented to the jury, and medical testimony and other evidence concerning the amount of plaintiff’s damages will not be necessary. In its answer to the petition for rehearing, defendant agrees with plaintiff’s analysis. We also find it persuasive.  It is well settled that an appellate court may limit the issues to be resolved upon remandment for a new trial. (Gasoline Products Co. v. Champlin Refining Co., 283 U.S. 494, 75 L. Ed. 1188, 51S. Ct. 513 (1931); Norfolk Southern R.R. Co. v. Ferebee, 238 U.S. 269, 59 L. Ed. 1303, 35 S. Ct. 781 (1915); Paul Harris Furniture Co. v. Morse, 10 Ill. 2d 28, 139 N.E.2d 275 (1957); Brunner v. Slupe, 8 Ill. App. 3d 924, 290 N.E.2d 327 (5th Dist. 1972); Washburn v. Terminal R.R. Association, 114 Ill. App. 2d 95, 252 N.E.2d 389 (5th Dist. 1969).) In limiting a retrial to certain issues where other issues have previously been properly submitted to and determined by a jury, the court must proceed cautiously, with a careful regard for the rights of both parties. The court should limit the issues only in those cases where it is plain that any error which has crept into one element of the verdict did not affect the determination of any other issue. Thompson v. Camp, 167 F.2d 733 (6th Cir. 1948). Although defendant in the present case originally argued that the verdict was excessive, it now agrees with plaintiff on the manner in which the retrial should be limited. Moreover, our review of the record indicates that the verdict was supported by the evidence. We are also satisfied that the failure to submit the issue of contributory negligence to the jury did not affect its determination of plaintiff’s damages. The causes of plaintiff’s injuries were irrelevant to this determination as damages are computed on the basis of medical testimony, evidence of expenses and lost wages, etc.  We hold that the only issue to be determined upon retrial is the percentage, if any, by which plaintiff’s total damages must be reduced because of his contributory negligence. The jury must, therefore, be instructed that this is the sole issue for its determination, that the defendant has been found negligent, but that there is evidence of plaintiff’s contributory negligence and that the amount of plaintiffs damages, without reference to the question of contributory negligence, is $249,200. In addition to the other relevant instructions, we suggest the trial court present the jury with the following modified version of IPI Civil No. 160.13 (2d ed. 1971): “It has already been determined that the defendant is liable in part for plaintiffs injuries and that the total amount of plaintiffs damages is $249,200. If you find that plaintiff’s injury was proximately caused by a combination of plaintiff s contributory negligence and negligence on the part of the defendant, then in assessing damages you should proceed in the following manner: First, decide what proportion or percentage of the total combined negligence of both parties causing the injury consisted of the plaintiff’s negligence. Second, reduce plaintiffs damages of $249,200 by this proportion or percentage.” Plaintiff’s petition for rehearing is denied, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent with the views expressed in this opinion. KARNS, J., concurs.