Court Opinion

ID: 9621883
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 06:08:31.658898+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:16:38.404509
License: Public Domain

JAMES EDWARD WELSH, Judge,
dissenting.
The Missouri Supreme Court once before attempted to abolish the doctrine of remittitur, but the Missouri legislature made it clear that remittitur is a viable *156doctrine by its enactment of section 537.068, RSMo, in 1987. The majority opinion in this case, however, attempts to emasculate the doctrine and render it meaningless. I, therefore, respectfully dissent.
To read the statutory language of section 587.068, RSMo 2000, that “[a] court may enter a remittitur order if, after reviewing the evidence in support of the jury’s verdict, the court finds that the jury’s verdict is excessive,” as saying the court may only remit a verdict if the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict,1 does not support the amount awarded, is to do violence to the statutory language. It adds words that are simply not there. It also conflates two different functions of the trial judge. One function is to serve as a gatekeeper for the jury and eliminate claims not supported by the evidence by using the “most favorable review” in ruling a motion for directed verdict or, failing that, using that standard retrospectively in ruling a motion for judgment nil obstat verdict (JNOV). This is a legal determination and reviewed de novo. A separate function with a different standard is the trial judge’s obligation to weigh the evidence to insure it is not excessive or inadequate. This is a factual determination entitled to deference by a reviewing tribunal. To adopt the standard applicable to a JNOV is to eliminate the remittitur function as any verdict not set aside as unsupported by the evidence passes the new remittitur standard. Such an interpretation of section 537.068 renders it meaningless and would abrogate remittitur as a viable function of the trial court.
Section 537.068, RSMo 2000, authorizes a court to “enter a remittitur order if, after reviewing the evidence in support of the jury’s verdict, the court finds that the jury’s verdict is excessive because the amount of the verdict exceeds fair and reasonable compensation for plaintiffs injuries and damages.” The circuit court has broad discretion in ordering remittitur and ought not to be reversed except for abuse of that discretion. Lay v. P & G Health Care, Inc., 37 S.W.3d 310, 333 (Mo.App.2000).
This court has previously addressed the appropriate review in Massman Construction Co. v. Missouri Highway & Transportation Commission, 948 S.W.2d 631, 633 (Mo.App.1997), where we held “[a] circuit court’s granting additur2 is equivalent to granting a new trial on the ground that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence.”3 This holding was in the context of whether a circuit court must give reasons for granting additur which we found was unnecessary because there is no such requirement when granting a new trial. Id. As such, the review from the granting of a new trial should be applicable to the present case. We have held that in reviewing a grant of new trial as against the weight of the evidence, “[w]e will view all inferences and evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s decision.” Laws v. St. Luke’s Hosp., 218 S.W.3d 461, 467-68 (Mo.App.2007) (citing Dick v. Children’s Mercy Hosp., 140 S.W.3d 131, 136 (Mo.App.2004)).
*157Indeed, this was the standard of review employed in eases when the doctrine of remittitur was grounded in our common law. In Steuernagel v. St. Louis Public Service Co., 361 Mo. 1066, 238 S.W.2d 426 (1951), the Missouri Supreme Court noted:
The rule applicable here is that when a trial court grants a new trial on the ground of excessiveness (or inadequacy),4 it is equivalent to granting a new trial on the ground that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. The trial court is allowed a wide discretion in granting a motion for a new trial and this is particularly so where the court has ruled the motion upon the amount of the verdict, and thus, upon the weight of the evidence. In considering the size of the verdict herein, the trial court had the right to weigh the evidence. To do so, the trial court could take into consideration all of the evidence pertaining to plaintiffs injuries and physical condition and not merely plaintiffs evidence which was most favorable. The trial court had the right to consider and weigh the conflicting evidence offered by defendant and to evaluate all of the evidence in the light of the trial court’s opportunity to see, hear and observe plaintiff and the various witnesses who testified. This is an important function of the trial court. We could not properly determine the propriety of the trial court’s action by applying a different rule or test — by considering only plaintiffs evidence in its light most favorable to her. While an appellate court should not undertake to weigh the evidence on the issue of plaintiffs damages, it should examine the record to determine whether there is substantial evidence supporting the view that plaintiffs injuries were less serious and disabling than claimed by plaintiff, or that some of her physical infirmities did not result from the accident she suffered. If the evidence viewed in the light most favorable to upholding the ruling of the trial court does afford reasonable and substantial support for the trial court’s order or remittitur, then there could be no abuse of discretion and the trial court’s action must be sustained.
Id. at 431 (citations omitted and emphasis added). See also Morris v. Israel Bros., Inc., 510 S.W.2d 437, 447-48 (Mo.1974); Combs v. Combs, 295 S.W.2d 78, 80 (Mo.1956); Wilhelm v. Haemmerle, 262 S.W.2d 609, 612-13 (Mo.1953); Wicker v. Knox Glass Assocs., 362 Mo. 614, 242 S.W.2d 566, 569 (1951); P & S Leasing Co. v. Ray Smith Ford, Inc., 553 S.W.2d 733, 734 (Mo.App.1977); Best v. Fred Weber Constr. Co., 525 S.W.2d 102, 106 (Mo.App.1975); Davis v. Perkins, 512 S.W.2d 868, 874-75 (Mo.App.1974); Pisha v. Sears Roebuck & Co., 496 S.W.2d 280, 284 (Mo.App.1973); Bell v. Bell’s Estate, 368 S.W.2d 544, 545-46 (Mo.App.1963); Moore v. Glasgow, 366 S.W.2d 475, 481-82 (Mo.App.1963).
I recognize that the Missouri Supreme Court abrogated the doctrine of common law remittitur in Firestone v. Crown Center Redevelopment Corp., 693 S.W.2d 99 (Mo. banc 1985). The Firestone court concluded that the evidence in the case substantiated the jury’s award and that the record did not authorize the circuit court “in the exercise of reasonable discretion to order any portion of it remitted.” Id. at 110. The Supreme Court, therefore, abrogated the doctrine of remittitur in Firestone because it believed that it was the *158jury’s responsibility to weigh the evidence and not the courts. Id.
The Missouri legislature, however, disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision in Firestone and reinstated remittitur by enacting section 537.068 in 1987. “When the legislature restored the remittitur doctrine, its design was to establish equitable compensation and to eliminate, to the extent possible, the retrial of lawsuits.” Bishop v. Cummines, 870 S.W.2d 922, 924 (Mo.App.1994). Firestone, therefore, is no longer instructive regarding remittitur cases, and it is disingenuous to contend that it somehow controls the resolution of this case. The Firestone opinion has been superseded by section 537.068, and we are not constitutionally bound to follow an opinion of the Missouri Supreme Court that is no longer good law. To cling to the rationale of Firestone after the doctrine of remittitur was reinstated is just illogical. Moreover, that Firestone may have disapproved of prior remittitur cases decided by the courts and may have wanted to overrule them sub silentio does not matter in light of the legislature’s enactment of section 537.068. Therefore, the cases interpreting remittitur prior to Firestone remain helpful in interpreting section 537.068. Bishop, 870 S.W.2d at 924.
In enacting section 537.068, the legislature instructed that remittitur is proper only where “after reviewing the evidence in support of the jury’s verdict, the court finds that the jury’s verdict exceeds fair and reasonable compensation for plaintiffs injuries and damages.” The legislature did not say that the circuit court may remit a verdict if the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, does not support the amount awarded by the jury. The unstated result of such a review is that evidence unfavorable to the verdict is ignored. This is the antithesis of weighing the evidence. This is not, however, what the legislature said or intended. Section 537.068 merely requires the circuit court to review the evidence in support of the jury’s verdict.5 This exercise still al*159lows the circuit court to weigh the conflicting evidence and evaluate all of the evidence in light of its opportunity to see and hear all of the witnesses.
Indeed, in Barnett v. La Societe Anonyme Turbomeca France, 963 S.W.2d 639, 656 (Mo.App.1997), this court recognized, “The trial court has broad discretion in ordering remittitur because the ruling is based upon the weight of the evidence, and the trial court is in the best position to weigh the evidence.” Moreover, in McCormack v. Capital Electric Construction Co., 159 S.W.3d 387, 401 (Mo.App.2004) (citation omitted), this court acknowledged:
As compared to our review of the record, the trial court was in the best position to observe this evidence and evaluate credibility. Under our standard of review, “[t]he trial court’s superior vantage point warrants a great latitude of discretion in determining whether and to what extent the verdict was supported by the evidence.” We must defer to the trial court’s exercise of discretion unless the remitted judgment is manifestly unjust.
Thus, remittitur is a ruling based upon the weight of the evidence, and those cases analyzing the common law doctrine of re-mittitur are still applicable today. Bishop, 870 S.W.2d at 924. Indeed, we can presume the legislature knew the state of the law at the time it enacted section 537.068, Scoggins v. Timmerman, 886 S.W.2d 135, 137 (Mo.App.1994), and obviously the Legislature intended to reinstate remittitur as it existed (with perhaps an even clearer standard as Firestone indicated was absent at common law).
It is undisputed that the trial judge could have granted a new trial as against the weight of the evidence. In that case, this court could not substitute its judgment for that of the trial judge because the trial court was in the best position to make that determination.6 But here, where the trial judge makes the same determination and, in accordance with the statutory purpose of section 537.068, remits a portion of the verdict with the object to avoid the expense and delay of a new trial, the majority would adopt a different standard of review. Absent a showing of prejudice, every excessive or inadequate verdict ought not to result in a new trial. It should result in remittitur or additur by the trial judge subject to a party’s right to opt for a new trial. We should review the judgment entered for abuse of discretion. We ought not ignore the judgment of the trial court and put ourselves in the position of the trial judge (without the benefit of seeing and hearing the witnesses but on the cold record before us) and determine de novo if the verdict is excessive or inadequate.
Therefore, in reviewing the action of the circuit court, this court does not weigh the evidence but merely examines the record to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the circuit court’s ruling. “If the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the ruling of the trial court, affords reasonable and substantial support for the ruling, then it must be affirmed.” Best, 525 S.W.2d at 106. As this court’s Southern District said in P & S Leasing Co. v. Ray Smith Ford, Inc., 553 S.W.2d 733, 734 (Mo.App.1977) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted):
*160If the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the ruling, affords reasonable and substantial support for it, then it must be sustained.... It is only where the trial court has abused its discretion in ordering a remittitur, ... or in the amount of the remittitur ordered, that a judgment is reviewable by this court. [W]hen the trial court ... actually considers the matter of the ex-cessiveness of the verdict and, by ordering a remittitur, gives an affirmative expression of its own considered view as to what the size of the verdict should be, the appellate court, while concededly not bound by the trial court’s action, nevertheless accords it very great weight, and indeed regards it as so strongly persuasive that except in a case which calls unmistakably for a greater reduction, the judgment left to stand by the trial court will not be disturbed on appeal.
The ultimate test, therefore, in determining whether the circuit court abused its discretion is whether the award compensates the plaintiff fairly and reasonably for the sustained injuries. Alcorn v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 50 S.W.3d 226, 249-50 (Mo. banc 2001). In making the determination the following factors are considered: loss of present and future income, medical expenses, the plaintiffs age, the nature and extent of the plaintiffs injuries, economic considerations, awards given and approved in comparable cases, and the superior opportunity for the jury and the circuit court to evaluate the plaintiffs injuries and other damages claimed. Othman v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 91 S.W.3d 684, 687 (Mo.App.2002).
It is important to notice that the case law does not only accord deference to the jury’s superior opportunity to evaluate plaintiffs damages but also recognizes the trial judge’s advantages in evaluating plaintiffs damages. The issue regarding the proper standard of review then dissolves into a single determination of who is in the better position to determine whether the jury’s verdict is against the weight of the evidence, this court on the record before us or the trial judge who presided over the trial. It is difficult to justify substituting the judgment of judges who review the evidence on the cold, impersonal record for that of the judge who presided over the trial and heard and observed the witnesses and parties during the trial.
In ruling on Homfeld’s motion for new trial, judgment notwithstanding the verdict, and/or remittitur, the circuit court stated:
At trial, Dr. Scowley testified to a reasonable degree of medical certainty that Plaintiff would have future pain and problems with her back. He further testified as to different possible medical procedures that she might receive to help her with her pain. However, Dr. Scowley failed to testify to a reasonable degree of medical certainty which one, if any, Plaintiff would need nor the length of any such treatment. Dr. Scowley then testified without objection to the cost of the possible medical procedures.
Dr. Scowley’s testimony as to future complications and type of treatment was relevant to establish Plaintiff’s claims for future damages. However, Dr. Scowley testified that it was difficult to determine the number of injections and the period of time that any injections would be needed. Also, Dr. Scowley could not specify the number of times Plaintiff would have to consult a doctor or a chiropractor.
The Court finds that the cost and need for future medical specials were *161not established to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and the cost and need was subject to conjecture and speculation.
Although Dr. Scowley testified to a reasonable degree of medical certainty that Wiley would have future pain and problems with her back, on cross-examination Dr. Scowley said that Wiley had a good prognosis but would have intermittent pain. Further, the following exchange took place:
[DEFENDANT’S ATTORNEY:] Okay. And in terms of need for any future medical care, if I understand your testimony, that may occur but only if her pain gets worse, fair statement?
DR. SCOWLEY: It most likely will occur.
DEFENDANT’S ATTORNEY: But that’s only if her pain gets worse?
DR. SCOWLEY: Yes, sir.
DEFENDANT’S ATTORNEY: And you don’t know with certainty what’s going to happen to her down the road, true?
DR. SCOWLEY: No, sir.
The circuit court found this evidence to be speculative and too subject to conjecture to be worthy of belief and support an award of future medical damages and concluded any award of future damages was against the weight of the evidence. The circuit court found that future medicals were not established to a reasonable degree of medical certainty. Although the circuit court found that Dr. Scowley testified to a reasonable degree of medical certainty that Wiley would have future pains and problems with her back, the circuit court found that the cost of the different medical procedures was subject to conjecture and speculation, and therefore, the jury’s award for future damages was against the weight of the evidence and excessive. Further, the circuit court set out specific findings regarding the uncertainty surrounding the need of treatment, which treatment, and the duration of any treatment. The circuit court noted that Dr. Scowley’s testimony left open the issue of whether Wiley would need any of the procedures. The circuit court concluded that the jury made an honest mistake in weighing the evidence as to the nature and extent of the injury and in awarding disproportionate damages to Wiley.
After a review of the record, employing the standard of review which allows the circuit court to weigh the conflicting evidence and evaluate all of the evidence in light of its opportunity to see and hear all of the witnesses, I cannot conclude that the remitted verdict is manifestly unjust.7 “A trial court abuses its discretion when its ruling shocks the sense of justice, shows a lack of consideration, and is obviously against the logic of the circumstances. A trial court does not abuse its discretion if reasonable persons could differ on the propriety of the court’s decision.” Burrows v. Union Pacific R.R. Co., 218 S.W.3d 527, 533 (Mo.App.), cert. denied, 552 U.S. 889, 128 S.Ct. 294, 169 L.Ed.2d 150 (2007) (citations omitted). The circuit court’s finding was not an abuse of discretion as reasonable minds could differ over whether the need for future medical procedures was established. Indeed, the majority even states that “rea*162sonable minds could differ on the extent to which the need for future medical treatment was established by the evidence.” See Maj. Op. 150. That reasonable minds can differ by definition cannot be an abuse of discretion. It cannot be said that the circuit court’s decision was contrary to the logic of the situation, especially when viewed in the light most favorable to the trial judge’s decision.8
The circuit court determined that no future medical expenses were established to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and that the jury made an honest mistake in weighing the evidence as to the nature and extent of Wiley’s injuries. As such, remittitur or a new trial was necessary. Horizon Memorial Group, L.L.C. v. Bailey, 280 S.W.3d 657, 672 (Mo.App.2009). If the circuit court sustains a motion for re-mittitur, it must also afford the affected party the option to file an election of a new trial. Rule 78.10(b). The circuit court did not afford Wiley the option of accepting the remitted amount or having a new trial. I would, therefore, reverse the circuit court’s judgment and remand with instructions that the circuit court amend its judgment and afford Wiley the option of filing an election of a new trial.

. Presumably, the court would also ignore all evidence to the contrary.

. "The doctrine of additur is a corollary of remittitur, and encompasses the same principles, therefore it may be analyzed in the same way.” Boney v. Worley, 261 S.W.3d 641, 649 (Mo.App.2008).

.See also Fust v. Francois, 913 S.W.2d 38, 49 (Mo.App.1995) ("The trial court’s reduction of the jury award by remittitur constitutes a ruling upon the weight of the evidence.”).

. The circuit court in Wiley’s case did not grant a new trial in this case but ordered the verdict remitted. The court in this case should have afforded Wiley the option of accepting the remitted amount or having a new trial. Rule 78.10(b).

. In Crawford ex rel. Crawford v. Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods, Inc., 91 S.W.3d 646, 653 (Mo.App.2002), the circuit court reviewed the evidence in support of the jury’s verdict and ordered the verdict remitted. On appeal, the Eastern District found that, "[g]iven the lasting trauma and continuing medical care that both parties testified] that [the plaintiff] require[dj," the circuit court abused its discretion in granting the motion for remittitur. Id. at 654. In so ruling, the Crawford court never said that it was viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict. The same is true of this court’s decision in Children International v. Ammon Painting Co., 215 S.W.3d 194 (Mo.App.2006). In that case, the court held:
The jury had no evidence to find the Plaintiff suffered $892,000 of loss-of-use damages. Moreover, no reasonable juror could have categorized the $200,000 attributable to the diminishing value of the dollar to loss of use of the press.... [T]he jury made a finding in respect to the loss-of-use damages which was glaringly unwarranted by the evidence. Had the jury placed the $200,000 in the damage-to-property category, ample evidence would have supported the verdict. Had there been a non-itemized verdict and the jury returned the same amount but in gross, there would have been ample evidence to support the verdict. However, the jury found that the Plaintiff suffered $200,000 more in damages for the loss of use of its press than any evidence tended to show. To hold otherwise would be to disregard the explicit decision of the jury and rely on mere speculation. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in remitting $200,000 of the loss-of-use damages.
Id. at 202. In so ruling, the Children International court did not say that it was viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict. Indeed, both of these cases merely cite the standard provided for in section 537.068, that the circuit court may grant re-mittitur if, after reviewing "the evidence in support of the jury’s verdict,” the court finds that "the jury's verdict exceeds fair and reasonable compensation for plaintiff's injuries and damages.”

. "[T]rial courts have broad discretion to grant a new trial because the verdict was against the weight of the evidence. We will review the grant of a new trial on such a basis only if there has been a manifest abuse of discretion, because the trial court is in a better position to weigh the evidence. Such grants are more likely to be upheld than denied.” Boney, 261 S.W.3d at 648 (citation omitted).

. Had I been the trial judge, it is unlikely I would have concluded that the verdict should have been remitted, but such ought not to be the appropriate standard of review on a fact driven issue.

. Even if this court did not accord any deference to the circuit court and reviewed the circuit court's decision de novo, if reasonable minds could differ on the issue it cannot be said the circuit court abused its discretion.