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THE JURY FOUND PLAINTIFF SUFFERED PERMANENT INJURY IN THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT BUT AWARDED $0 DAMAGES FOR FUTURE PAIN AND SUFFERING AND FUTURE MEDICAL EXPENSES; THE DAMAGES AWARD WAS AGAINST THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the damages-award in this traffic accident case was against the weight of the evidence. The jury found that plaintiff suffered permanent injuries but awarded nothing for future pain and suffering and future medical expenses. Plaintiff’s motion to set aside the verdict pursuant to CPLR 4404(a) should have been granted:

A jury verdict on the issue of damages may be set aside as contrary to the weight of the evidence only if the evidence on that issue so preponderated in favor of the movant that the jury could not have reached its determination on any fair interpretation of the evidence … . Further, 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 … , a jury award may be set aside if it deviates materially from what would be reasonable compensation (see CPLR 5501[c] …).

Where, as here, “the jury . . . concludes that a plaintiff was injured as a result of an accident, the jury’s failure to award damages for pain and suffering is contrary to a fair interpretation of the evidence and constitutes a material deviation from what would be reasonable compensation” … . Carter v City of New Rochelle, 2022 NY Slip Op 05072, Second Dept 8-31-22

Practice Point: Where a jury finds plaintiff was permanently injured in an accident but awards nothing for future pain and suffering and future medical expenses, the damages award should be set aside as against the weight of the evidence.

 

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