Opinion
187 CA 16-00776.
03-24-2017
Jerol K. MELNICK, Sr., Plaintiff–Appellant, v. Ronald E. CHASE, as Parent and Natural Guardian of Bradley E. Chase, an Infant, and Karon Farms, Inc., Defendants–Respondents.
Collins & Collins Attorneys, LLC, Buffalo (Ethan W. Collins of Counsel), for Plaintiff–Appellant. Walsh, Roberts & Grace, Buffalo (Joseph Emminger of Counsel), for Defendants–Respondents.
Collins & Collins Attorneys, LLC, Buffalo (Ethan W. Collins of Counsel), for Plaintiff–Appellant.
Walsh, Roberts & Grace, Buffalo (Joseph Emminger of Counsel), for Defendants–Respondents.
PRESENT: WHALEN, P.J., CENTRA, DeJOSEPH, NEMOYER, AND TROUTMAN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:In this action to recover damages for injuries sustained by plaintiff in a motorcycle accident, the jury returned a verdict that, inter alia, awarded plaintiff no damages for past pain and suffering and $20,000 for future pain and suffering. Plaintiff appeals from an order that denied his motion to set aside the jury verdict with respect to damages as inconsistent and against the weight of the evidence, and for a new trial on both elements of damages. We conclude that plaintiff has failed to preserve for our review his contention that the verdict is inconsistent inasmuch as he failed to raise that contention before the discharge of the jury (see Barry v. Manglass, 55 N.Y.2d 803, 806, 447 N.Y.S.2d 423, 432 N.E.2d 125, rearg. denied 55 N.Y.2d 1039, 449 N.Y.S.2d 1030, 434 N.E.2d 1081 ; Berner v. Little, 137 A.D.3d 1675, 1676, 28 N.Y.S.3d 519 ).
We further conclude that the jury's failure to award plaintiff any damages for past pain and suffering is against the weight of the evidence (see Simmons v. Dendis Constr., 270 A.D.2d 919, 920, 705 N.Y.S.2d 779 ; Laylon v. Shaver, 187 A.D.2d 983, 984, 590 N.Y.S.2d 615 ). In reaching that conclusion, we note that defendants' own expert testified that, as a result of the motorcycle accident, plaintiff sustained a lumbosacral strain or sprain that aggravated his degenerative spinal condition and would have lasted for three to six months before healing. In light of that testimony, and the testimony of plaintiff's treating orthopedic surgeon that plaintiff sustained a painful and debilitating L–3 endplate fracture that caused a herniated disc, we conclude that the verdict awarding plaintiff no damages for past pain and suffering is contrary to the weight of the evidence and that there should be a new trial on that element of damages (see generally Zimnoch v. Bridge View Palace, LLC, 69 A.D.3d 928, 929–930, 893 N.Y.S.2d 253 ). We modify the order accordingly.
We reject plaintiff's contention, however, that the award of future damages is against the weight of the evidence. There was conflicting expert testimony concerning the likelihood, severity, and causation of plaintiff's alleged future pain and suffering, and we thus conclude that the verdict in that respect should not be disturbed (see Lai Nguyen v. Kiraly [Appeal No. 2], 82 A.D.3d 1579, 1580, 921 N.Y.S.2d 417 ; Sanfilippo v. City of New York, 272 A.D.2d 201, 202, 708 N.Y.S.2d 17, lv. dismissed 95 N.Y.2d 887, 715 N.Y.S.2d 378, 738 N.E.2d 782 ; see generally Leonard v. Irwin, 280 A.D.2d 935, 936, 721 N.Y.S.2d 198 ).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously modified on the law by granting the motion in part and setting aside the verdict with respect to damages for past pain and suffering, and a new trial is granted on that element of damages only, and as modified the order is the affirmed without costs.