C.T. Ex Rel. Taylor v. Johnson

1999 UT 35, 977 P.2d 479, 367 Utah Adv. Rep. 6, 1999 Utah LEXIS 40, 1999 WL 203053

• Court: Utah Supreme Court
• Decided: April 13, 1999
• Docket: 960466
• Status: Published

Opinions

HOWE, Chief Justice:

¶ 1 Defendant Scott R. Johnson appeals from an order denying his motion for a new trial or, in the alternative, for a remittitur. He moved for a new trial after the jury awarded plaintiff C.T. $10,300 in compensatory damages and $25,000 in punitive damages in this personal injury action. He contends that (1) the compensatory damages award was erroneous because C.T. did not meet the threshold no-fault insurance requirements of Utah Code Ann. § 31A-22-309(l); and (2) the punitive damage award was barred by Utah Code Ann. § 78-18-l(a), which requires an award of compensatory or general damages before punitive damages can be awarded.

FACTS

¶2 This case arises from an automobile accident that occurred when Johnson, who was driving under the influence of alcohol (“DUI”),¹ crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with C.T.’s vehicle. C.T. filed this action against Johnson, seeking both compensatory and punitive damages. Johnson admitted negligence and successfully moved for a bifurcated trial with the first phase addressing C.T.’s compensatory damages claim and the second addressing his punitive damages claim.

¶ 3 At the close of the first phase of trial, the jury found that Johnson had proximately caused C.T.’s injuries, that those injuries were not permanent, and that C.T. had sustained a total of $339 in medical expenses.² The jury then awarded C.T. $10,339 in compensatory damages.

¶ 4 In the second phase, the parties stipulated that Johnson had been convicted of a DUI charge arising out of the accident. Evidence was adduced of Johnson’s financial resources. The jury awarded C.T. $25,000 in punitive damages.

¶ 5 Before the court entered judgment on the jury’s verdicts, Johnson moved to strike both damage awards. He argued that the compensatory damages award was improper because the jury findings established that C.T. had not met any of the threshold no-fault insurance requirements of section 31A-22-309(1). Furthermore, he asserted that because C.T. was not entitled to an award of general or compensatory damages, his punitive damages claim was likewise barred by section 78-18-l(l)(a), which provides that “punitive damages may be awarded only if compensatory or general damages are awarded.” The trial court denied both motions. Johnson then moved for a new trial or, in the alternative, for a remittitur, which motion was also denied.

ANALYSIS

¶ 6 Before we address the merits of Johnson’s appeal, we note the appropriate standard of review. Because our resolution of this case turns on the trial court’s interpretation of two statutes, we give its decision no deference but review it for correctness. See Platts v. Parents Helping Parents, 947 P.2d 658, 661 (Utah 1997).

I. COMPENSATORY DAMAGES AWARD

¶ 7 The first issue is whether the no-fault insurance statute, Utah Code Ann. § 31A-22-309(l), precluded C.T. from maintaining his action for compensatory damages. That section provides:

(1) A person who has or is required to have direct benefit coverage under a policy which includes personal injury protection may not maintain a cause of action for general damages arising out of personal injuries alleged to have been caused by an automobile accident, except where the person has sustained one or more of the following:

(a) death;

(b) dismemberment;

(c) 'permanent disability or permanent impairment based upon objective findings;

(d) permanent disfigurement; or

(e) medical expenses to a person in excess of $3,000.

(Emphasis added.) C.T. alleged that as a result of the accident, he sustained permanent disability and incurred medical expenses that exceeded the $8,000 threshold amount. However, the jury found that he had not suffered permanent disability and that his accident-related medical expenses totaled only $339 (the cost of his emergency room visit).³

¶ 8 Although the trial court acknowledged that C.T. had not met any of the threshold requirements of section 31A-22-309(1), it concluded that section 78-18-l(l)(b) created an exception to those requirements. Section 78-18-1 provides in pertinent part:

(a) Except as otherwise provided by statute, punitive damages may be awarded only if compensatory or general damages are awarded and it is established by clear and convincing evidence that the acts or omissions of the tortfeasor are the result of willful and malicious or intentionally fraudulent conduct, or conduct that manifests a knowing and reckless indifference toward, and a disregard of, the rights of others.

(b) The limitations, standards of evidence, and standards of conduct of Subsection (l)(a) do not apply to any claim for punitive damages arising out of the tort-feasor’s operation of a motor vehicle while voluntarily intoxicated ... as prohibited by Section 41-6-44.

Utah Code Ann. § 78-18-1 (l)(a), (b) (emphasis added). The court first determined that the emphasized language above expressly gave C.T. the right to maintain an action for punitive damages against Johnson. It then reasoned that the legislature also must have intended section 78 — 18—1 (1) (b) to create an exception to the threshold requirements of section 31A-22-309(l) because otherwise a person could maintain a cause of action against an intoxicated driver for punitive damages but not for compensatory damages.

¶ 9 “When faced with a question of statutory construction, we look first to the plain language of the statute.” Stephens v. Bonneville Travel, Inc., 935 P.2d 518, 520 (Utah 1997) (citations omitted). “We presume that the legislature used each word advisedly and give effect to each term according to its ordinary and accepted meaning.” Nelson v. Salt Lake County, 905 P.2d 872, 875 (Utah 1995) (citation omitted). Furthermore, “courts are not to infer substantive terms into the text that are not already there. Rather, the interpretation must be based on the language used, and the court has no power to rewrite the statute to conform to an intention not expressed.” Berrett v. Purser & Edwards, 876 P.2d 367, 370 (Utah 1994) (citations omitted).

¶ 10 In light of the foregoing principles, we conclude that there is no basis for the trial court’s holding. While section 78-8-18(l)(b) provides a specific basis for awarding punitive damages in cases involving a “tortfeasor’s operation of a vehicle while voluntarily intoxicated,” it makes absolutely no reference to an action for compensatory damages. This section also does not contain any language suggesting that the legislature intended to create an exception to the threshold requirements of section 31A-22-309(l). Accordingly, we hold that because C.T. did not meet any of the threshold requirements of section 31A-2-309(l), it was error to award him compensatory damages.

II. PUNITIVE DAMAGES AWARD

¶ 11 The second issue is whether C.T. was entitled to an award of punitive damages against Johnson. Johnson argues that because C.T. was not entitled to an award of compensatory damages, section 78 — 18—l(l)(a) barred any award of punitive damages. We disagree.

¶ 12 The language of section 78-18-l(l)(a) as set forth above is clear and unmistakable. In describing the requirements of subsection (l)(a) that do not apply in DUI cases, subsection (l)(b) uses the terms “limitations, standards of evidence, and standards of conduct.” Those terms parallel the requirements for punitive damage awards in subsection (l)(a); namely, (i) an award of compensatory damages, and (ii) proof by clear and convincing evidence that (iii) the tort-feasor’s conduct was willful and malicious or intentionally fraudulent or was conduct that manifests a knowing and reckless indifference toward and a disregard of the rights of others. Contrary to the dissent, we think that it is clear from the language of (l)(b) that the legislature intended to waive requirements (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (l)(a) in DUI cases. The term “limitations” refers to the requirement of an award of compensatory damages; the term “standards of evidence” refers to the requirement of clear and convincing evidence; and the term “standards of conduct” refers to the requirement of conduct that is “willful and malicious or intentionally fraudulent ... or conduct that manifests a knowing and reckless indifference toward and a disregard of the rights of others.” Subsection (l)(b) evidences that the legislature was “cracking down” on intoxicated drivers and determined that this conduct is sufficiently reckless to justify an award of punitive damages.

¶ 13 Nevertheless, Johnson argues that subsection (l)(b) does not mean what it says. He contends that in cases where punitive damages are sought against an intoxicated driver, the legislature did not intend to abolish the requirements that a party first obtain an award of compensatory damages or prove the requisite standard of conduct provided in subsection (l)(a). He relies on the legislative history of section 78-18-1 and the statements made by Senator Haven Barlow to support his argument.⁴ However, it is elementary that we do not seek guidance from legislative history and relevant policy considerations when the statute is clear and unambiguous. See Carlie v. Morgan, 922 P.2d 1, 4 (Utah 1996). Rather, “ ‘[w]e must be guided by the law as it is.... When language is clear and unambiguous, it must be held to mean what it expresses, and no room is left for construction.’ ” Salt Lake Child & Family Therapy Clinic v. Frederick, 890 P.2d 1017, 1020 (Utah 1995) (emphasis added) (quoting Hanchett v. Burbidge, 59 Utah 127, 135, 202 P. 377, 379-80 (1921)); see also Nelson, 905 P.2d at 875. Thus both the legislative history and statements made by Senator Barlow must yield to the clear and unmistakable language of the statute. Consequently, we hold that in cases seeking punitive damages against an intoxicated driver, the plain language of section 78 — 18—l(l)(b) eliminates the following requirements: (1) that compensatory or general damages be awarded first, and (2) that the plaintiff prove by clear and convincing evidence that the tortfeasor’s conduct rises to the standards set forth in subsection (l)(a).

¶ 14 Nevertheless, we do not believe it was the legislature’s intent that punitive damages be awarded without any limitation or restraint. The plaintiff must still prove that he or she sustained compensatory or general damages although such damages are not awardable due to the limitations of the no-fault insurance statutory scheme. The Texas Supreme Court employed this same reasoning in Fort Worth Elevators Co. v. Russell, 123 Tex. 128, 70 S.W.2d 397 (1934), overruled in part by Wright v. Gifford-Hill & Co., 725 S.W.2d 712 (Tex.1987). In Fort Worth Elevators, the surviving wife and children of a deceased employee brought suit against the employer for exemplary damages. The court noted the rule in Texas that exemplary damages cannot be recovered'unless the plaintiff is shown to have sustained actual loss or injury. The court held that even though the plaintiffs could not recover actual damages because the employee’s death was covered by workers’ compensation, the plaintiffs could recover exemplary damages if they could show that they had sustained actual loss or injury.⁵ We agree with this approach.

¶ 15 In the instant case, the jury found that C.T. had sustained $10,339 in compensatory damages. Although we have held herein that those damages are not awardable to C.T. because of the restrictions in our no-fault insurance statutes, that finding by the jury entitled C.T. to an award of punitive damages. By requiring that compensatory damages be sustained before punitive damages may be awarded, we assure that punitive damages cannot be recovered where the plaintiff did not sustain any monetary loss or injury, and further assure that the amount of punitive damages awarded will be in accordance with our decision in Crookston v. Fire Insurance Exchange, 817 P.2d 789 (Utah 1991), as hereinafter discussed.

¶ 16 Johnson next contends that due process prohibits an award of punitive damages based on a finding that the tortfeasor was operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As noted above, the legislature determined that the conduct of driving while intoxicated justifies an award of punitive damages if compensatory damages are sustained. The legislature also concluded that punitive damage awards were a rational and reasonable method of deterring people from driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Moreover, it is difficult to see how the imposition of punitive damages on intoxicated drivers can violate due process when it is well established that criminal sanctions and penalties may be imposed for the same conduct.⁶ See Utah Code Ann. § 41-6-44; State v. Brennan, 13 Utah 2d 195, 371 P.2d 27 (1962) (holding that criminal penalties for DUI are constitutional). Accordingly, we reject Johnson’s due process argument.

¶ 17 Finally, Johnson argues that the trial court’s instructions to the jury on the issue of punitive damages were inadequate. The court apparently gave the jury two new instructions at the close of the second phase of trial which addressed the issue of punitive damages. Johnson maintains:

The jury was merely instructed that punitive damages could be awarded when it has been established that [C.T.’s] claim arose out of Johnson’s operation of a motor vehicle while voluntarily intoxicated. The jury was [also] informed that punitive damages are proper if they would be a reasonable punishment to Johnson and a “wholesome warning to others.” [⁷]

Johnson does not actually contend that the jury’s award of $25,000 in punitive damages was excessive. Rather, he argues that the award was improper because the foregoing instructions failed to comply with our decision in Crookston v. Fire Insurance Exchange, 817 P.2d 789 (Utah 1991). In that case, we stated that the jury must consider the following factors in assessing the amount of punitive damages to be awarded:

(i) the relative wealth of the defendant;

(ii) the nature of the alleged misconduct;

(iii) the facts and circumstances surrounding such conduct; (iv) the effect thereof on the lives of the plaintiff and others; (v) the probability of future recurrence of the misconduct; (vi) the relationship of the parties; and (vii) the amount of actual damages awarded.

Id. at 808 (citations omitted).

¶ 18 While we agree that the court erred in failing to specifically instruct the jury on the above factors, that failure was harmless error under the circumstances of this case. “Harmless errors are those that are sufficiently inconsequential so no reasonable likelihood exists that the error affected the outcome of the proceedings.” Jones v. Cyprus Plateau Min. Corp., 944 P.2d 357, 360 (Utah 1997) (citation omitted). After reviewing all of the jury instructions, the evidence, and the closing arguments, we conclude that it is highly probable that the jury considered each of the relevant Crookston factors during its deliberations even though not specifically instructed to do so.

¶ 19 First, the evidence presented at the second phase of the trial primarily focused on the first Crookston factor, Johnson’s relative wealth. Johnson testified that his net income every two weeks was only $600 and that he did not own any assets aside from his work-provided retirement plan. In addition, during deliberations the jury submitted a series of questions to the judge relating to Johnson’s wealth and ability to pay a punitive damage award. Although the court did not respond to the questions because they were inappropriate, the questions nevertheless demonstrate that the jury considered this factor during deliberations.

¶20 Second, the court specifically instructed the jury to consider the nature of Johnson’s misconduct, the second Crookston factor. As stated above, the court instructed the jury that “punitive damages could be awarded when it has been established that [C.T.’s] claim arose out of Johnson’s operation of a motor vehicle while voluntarily intoxicated.” In light of our holding above, this instruction correctly stated the law. The jury had earlier found that C.T. had sustained $10,339 in compensatory damages. Therefore, punitive damages may be awarded under section 78 — 18—1 (1) (b) on a finding that the plaintiffs cause of action arose from the defendant’s operation of a motor vehicle while legally intoxicated. Thus the court did instruct the jury on the second Crookston factor.

¶ 21 Third, the court also instructed the jury to consider the third Crookston factor: the facts and circumstances surrounding the misconduct. As stated above, the court instructed the jury to consider Johnson’s actions, i.e., his operation of a motor vehicle while legally intoxicated. Moreover, at the second phase of trial, Johnson stipulated that he “was driving under the influence of alcohol, and that he subsequently entered a plea [of] guilty [to] an intoxication level of .08, which is the requirement for a DUI conviction.” Johnson’s own counsel also admitted during closing arguments that his client had no excuse for his conduct and was fortunate that C.T.’s injuries were not more severe. On the basis of the foregoing, the jury likely considered the third Crookston factor during its deliberations.

¶ 22 Fourth, the record demonstrates that the court instructed the jury to consider the effect of Johnson’s misconduct on the life of C.T. and others, the fourth Crookston factor. As stated above, the court apparently gave the jury two new instructions, which went to the issue of punitive damages. In addition, the court informed the jury that it was still governed by all of the instructions that were given during the first phase of trial. Also, a copy of those instructions was sent into the jury room during deliberations on the punitive damages issue. One of those instructions, number 16, provided in part:

[Y]ou may consider any pain, discomfort, and suffering, both mental and physical, its probable duration and severity, and the extent to which the plaintiff has been prevented from pursuing the ordinary affairs of life as previously enjoyed. You may also consider whether any of the above will, with reasonable certainty, continue in the future.

Thus, even though this instruction was given on the issue of compensatory damages, it also addressed the fourth Crookston factor.

¶ 23 The court also instructed the jury to consider the probability of future recurrence of the misconduct, the fifth Crookston factor. As stated above, the court instructed the jury that “punitive damages are proper if they would be a reasonable punishment to Johnson and a ‘wholesome warning to others.’ ” In addition to this instruction, the parties presented evidence and argument to the jury on this point. Johnson testified that he has not had any subsequent DUI convictions. His counsel likewise argued to the jury that it was unlikely that the award of punitive damages would serve as a deterrent to others and that Johnson had already learned his lesson. C.T.’s counsel asserted, on the other hand, that the jury should take advantage of its opportunity to make a statement and prevent future alcohol-related accidents. Thus, the jury was instructed to consider— and likely did consider — this factor during its deliberations.

¶ 24 In addition, the jury was well aware of the parties’ relationship, the sixth Crook-ston factor, and necessarily considered this in imposing punitive damages. The fact that Johnson was an intoxicated driver and caused injury to C.T. was the very basis of the punitive damage award.

¶ 25 Finally, the jury considered the seventh Crookston factor, i.e., the amount of compensatory damages sustained. The award of $25,000 in punitive damages is well within the 3 to 1 ratio approved in Crookston. Indeed, Johnson does not contend that the amount of punitive damages are excessive.

¶ 26 Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the court’s failure to specifically instruct the jury on all of the relevant Crookston factors does not amount to reversible error. Hence, we affirm the award of punitive damages in this case.

CONCLUSION

¶ 27 We hold that the compensatory damages award was erroneous because C.T. did not meet the threshold requirements of section 31A-22-309(l). However, we also hold that section 78-18-l(l)(b) expressly allows C.T. to maintain an action against Johnson for punitive damages where he sustained compensatory damages even though he was not entitled to an award of compensatory damages and where he proved that Johnson operated a motor vehicle while voluntarily intoxicated at the time of the accident. Finally, the court’s failure to fully instruct the jury on the issue of punitive damages was harmless error under the circumstances of this case.

¶28 Revei’sed in part and affirmed in part.

¶ 29 Associate Chief Justice DURHAM and Justice STEWART concur in Chief Justice HOWE’s opinion.

1 . Johnson was charged and convicted of DUI following the accident.

2 . Although C.T. claimed that he had sustained $4,596 in medical expenses (i.e., special damages), the jury apparently concluded that only $339 of them were proximately caused by the accident with Johnson.

3 . We reject C.T.'s argument that the Personal Injury Payment ("PIP”) made by his own insurer establishes the threshold amount for his medical expenses. The mere fact that his PIP insurer paid for medical expenses which the jury found were not related to the accident should not be binding on Johnson for purposes of establishing the medical expenses threshold and exposing Johnson to liability for general damages. This is especially so since a PIP carrier has a first party contractual relationship with its insured — in this case C.T. — and owes certain duties to him.

4 . The dissent apparently adopts this view also.

5 . The Wright court overruled only the Fort Worth Elevators court’s statement "that a plaintiff must , secure a juiy finding as to the amount of actual damages in a wrongful death case arising under [the Texas Workers' Compensation Act]." 725 S.W.2d at 714 (emphasis added). Wright still requires that actual damages be sustained.

6 . We also voice our disagreement with Johnson's characterization of intoxicated driving as mere negligence. Every jurisdiction in the country recognizes that this conduct is a criminal offense. Furthermore, as one court has noted, “[a] majority of the states ... support the view that driving while intoxicated is in and of itself sufficiently reckless or wanton to warrant punitive damages.” Hawkinson v. Geyer, 352 N.W.2d 784, 788 (Minn.App.1984) (citing Intoxication of Automobile Driver as Basis for Awarding Punitive Damages, 65 A.L.R.3d 656 (1975)).

7 .We note that we have been unable to verify the accuracy of Johnson's summary of the court’s punitive damages instructions because the record on appeal does not contain the actual instructions. However, since C.T. has not disputed the accuracy of these summaries, we proceed on the assumption that they accurately paraphrase the actual instructions given by the court.