Court Opinion

ID: 9845013
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:13:48.523949+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:15:50.248917
License: Public Domain

BOYLE, Justice,
concurring and concurring specially:
I concur in the majority opinion, and feel it necessary to briefly comment on the respective functions of I.R.C.P. 59(a)(5) and 59(a)(6) when considering motions for new trial.
*819Although a lengthy treatise could be written on this topic, and the volumes of cases cited in the majority opinion could be further discussed and analyzed, it is clear that Rule 59(a)(5) has limited application to those cases where a motion for new trial is sought solely on the basis of excessive or inadequate damages appearing to have been given or awarded under the influence of passion or prejudice.
However, in my view, Rule 59(a)(6) is not so limited in either scope or application. Rather, it applies in a wide variety of circumstances where the evidence was insufficient to justify the verdict, or that the verdict is against the law. The component parts of a verdict, depending on the legal theory advanced, involve several elements and to restrict the trial courts from considering excessive or inadequate damages under Rule 59(a)(6) while considering whether the other portions of the verdict are supported by the evidence is inconsistent with our case law and could result in situations where a motion for new trial did not fit within either subsection. In my opinion, subsection (6) is an all encompassing provision of Rule 59(a) and allows the trial courts that necessary degree of latitude when considering the complex issues frequently raised in motions for new trial.