Court Opinion

ID: 9553141
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 19:22:56.302275+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:29:48.257479
License: Public Domain

ROONEY, Justice,
specially concurring.
I do not consider the medical and hospital expenses of $140.00 to Paul Smith and $45.00 to William Smith to be of sufficient substance to require an award for general damages. The rule in DeWitty v. Decker, Wyo., 383 P.2d 734 (1963) (see quotation in majority opinion), requires a general damage award only when there is “substantial” medical and hospital expense.
Normally, we assume the evidence in favor of the successful party to be true, leave out of consideration entirely conflicting evidence of the unsuccessful party, and give to the successful party every favorable inference which can reasonably be drawn from his evidence. Anderson v. Bauer, Wyo., 681 P.2d 1316, 1319 (1984); Grosskopf v. Grosskopf, Wyo., 677 P.2d 814, 818 (1984). In this case, there was no direct evidence of lack of pain and suffering on the part of the successful party (appellee) in respect to this issue. However, it is difficult to discern any evidence which could be available for such purpose. As already noted, the inference from the unsubstantial amount of hospital and medical expenses is that there were no general damages. Since we disregard all evidence in conflict therewith, we would normally affirm on that basis.
However, when nonconflicting evidence admits of only one conclusion, a contrary conclusion cannot stand. Wyoming Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company v. May, Wyo., 434 P.2d 507 (1967); In re Stringer’s Estate, 80 Wyo. 389, 343 P.2d 508, reh. denied 80 Wyo. 389, 345 P.2d 786 (1959); see Steadman v. Topham, 80 Wyo. 63, 338 P.2d 820 (1959).
*702Of course, the jury may have simply not believed testimony as to pain and suffering in this ease. The medical witness was not asked his opinion on the point. He did testify to “tenderness,” to an abrasion, and to “swelling,” and it is difficult to conclude that the jury did not believe such testimony from an impartial witness.
This evidence was sufficient to make the verdict one in which only one conclusion could be reached on the point, i.e., some pain and suffering occurred. When the objection was made to the jury, the judge should have directed the jury to return to their deliberation for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of compensation for pain and suffering, be it a small amount or a large amount. Inasmuch as this course of action was available and not utilized, I will concur in the result reached by the majority opinion.