Inya v. Ide Hyundai, Inc.
| Decision Date | 16 November 1994 |
| Citation | 619 N.Y.S.2d 440,209 A.D.2d 1015 |
| Parties | Christopher O. INYA and Katherine Inya, Appellants, v. IDE HYUNDAI, INC., and Donell L. Sedgwick, Respondents. |
| Court | New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division |
Harter, Secrest and Emery by Richard E. Alexander, Rochester, for appellants.
Martin and Labowitz (Debra A. Martin, of counsel), Rochester, for respondents.
Before GREEN, J.P., and FALLON, WESLEY, DOERR and BOEHM, JJ.
Supreme Court may set aside a jury's award of damages if it materially deviates from what would be reasonable compensation (see, Prunty v. YMCA of Lockport, 206 A.D.2d 911, 616 N.Y.S.2d 117; Cochetti v. Gralow, 192 A.D.2d 974, 975, 597 N.Y.S.2d 234; Shurgan v. Tedesco, 179 A.D.2d 805, 578 N.Y.S.2d 658). The court erred in applying the "shocks the conscience" test to plaintiffs' motion to set aside the verdict on the ground that it was inadequate. We conclude that the jury's awards of $20,000 for past pain and suffering and $40,000 for future pain and suffering materially deviate from what would be reasonable compensation (see, CPLR 5501[c]. Christopher O. Inya (plaintiff) suffered fractures of the tibia, radius and femur. He underwent two operations and a third is a possibility. He has sustained a permanent partial disability, faces the possibility of future arthritic degeneration in his left knee, continues to experience pain and discomfort, and no longer can engage in the athletic activities he enjoyed prior to his injuries. In our view, awards of $80,000 for past pain and suffering and $150,000 for future pain and suffering would be reasonable compensation for plaintiff's injuries.
Order and judgment unanimously modified on the law and as modified affirmed without costs and new trial granted on damages for past and future pain and suffering only unless defendants, within 20 days of service of a copy of the order of this Court with notice of entry, stipulate to increase the verdict to $80,000 for past pain and suffering and $150,000 for future pain and suffering, in which event the order and judgment is modified accordingly and as modified affirmed without costs.
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