MOTION TO SET ASIDE THE DAMAGES VERDICT IN THIS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASE AS INADEQUATE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED; NEW TRIAL ORDERED UNLESS DEFENDANT STIPULATES TO INCREASED AWARDS FOR PAST AND FUTURE PAIN AND SUFFERING (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department determined the motion to set aside the damages verdict as inadequate in this traffic accident case should have been granted. The Second Department ordered a new trial unless the defendant stipulates to an increased award of damages for past pain and suffering from $25,000 to $150,000 and for future pain and suffering from $0 to $100,000:
“While the amount of damages to be awarded for personal injuries is a question for the jury, and the jury’s determination is entitled to great deference'” … , it may be set aside if the award deviates materially from what would be reasonable compensation (see CPLR 5501[c] …). “Although prior damage awards in cases involving similar injuries are not binding upon the courts, they guide and enlighten them with respect to determining whether a verdict in a given case constitutes reasonable compensation” … ,
Under the circumstances of this case, where the plaintiff was required to undergo an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery as a result of the accident, the jury’s award for past pain and suffering was inadequate to the extent indicated … .
Further, since it was undisputed that the cervical fusion, inter alia, permanently reduced the plaintiff’s cervical range of motion, the jury’s failure to award any damages for future pain and suffering was not based upon a fair interpretation of the evidence … , and was inadequate to the extent indicated … . Chung v Shaw, 2019 NY Slip Op 06468, Second Dept 9-11-19