I N THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
EASTERN SECTI ON
PATTY J EAN TALBOTT ) KNOX COUNTY a n d SAM TALBOTT ) 03A01- 9609- CV- 00304 ) Pl a i nt i f f s - Appe l l a nt s ) ) ) HON. W HEELER ROSENBALM, v. ) J UDGE ) ) J UDY F. SLAVEN ) ) De f e nda nt - Appe l l e e ) AFFI RMED AND REMANDED
J OHN M FOLEY OF KNOXVI LLE FOR APPELLANTS .
PAUL F. DUNN OF KNOXVI LLE FOR APPELLEE
O P I N I O N
Godda r d, P. J .
Pa t t y J e a n Ta l bot t a nd he r hus ba nd, Sa m Ta l bot t , a pp e a l
a j u d g me nt e nt e r e d i n t he Ci r c ui t Cour t f or Knox Count y whi c h, i n
a c c o r d a nc e wi t h a j ur y ve r di c t , a wa r de d he r $2264. 59 f or pe r s o n a l
i n j u r i e s r e c e i ve d i n a n a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt . The j ur y obvi ous l y
f o u n d t ha t M . Ta l bot t s uf f e r e d no da ma ge s a nd f i xe d hi s r e c ov e r y r
a t z e r o. The Ta l bot t s a ppe a l , i ns i s t i ng t ha t t he j udgme nt s a r e
s o i n a d e qua t e t ha t t he Tr i a l Cour t e r r e d i n not gr a nt i ng a ne w
t r i a l or a n a ddi t ur . The y a l s o i ns i s t t he Tr i a l Cour t e r r e d i n
n o t a wa r di ng di s c r e t i ona r y c os t s whi c h t ot a l e d $1595. 40.
The s t a nda r d of r e vi e w i n de t e r mi ni ng whe t he r a n
a p p e l l a t e c our t s houl d r e qui r e a ne w t r i a l be c a us e of t he
i n a d e q u a c y of a j ur y ve r di c t i s whe t he r t he a mount a wa r de d f a l l s
b e l o w t he r a nge of r e a s ona bl e ne s s . Smi t h v. She l t on, 569 S. W 2 d .
4 2 1 ( Te nn. 1978) . Al t hough not s pe c i f i c a l l y c i t i ng Smi t h, t h i s
Co u r t , i n W l ke r s on v . Al t i z e r , 845 S. W 2d 744, 749 i .
( Te n n . App. 1992) , f ol l owe d t he s a me r ul e a nd, i n doi ng s o, s a i d
t h e f o l l owi ng:
Thi s Cour t doe s not ha ve t he a ut hor i t y t o gr a nt a n a d di t ur . Te nn. Code Ann. § 20- 10- 101. W r e vi e w t he e a c t i on of t he t r i a l c our t i n s ugge s t i ng a n a ddi t ur p u r s ua nt t o Te nne s s e e Rul e of Appe l l a t e Pr oc e dur e 1 3 ( d) . Te nn. Code Ann. 20- 10- 101( b) ( 2) .
Howe ve r , t he s t a t ut e doe s not pr ovi de a ny gui da nc e wh e n t he t r i a l c our t r e f us e s t o gr a nt a n a ddi t ur . Se e Fo s t e r v. Amc on I nt e r na t i ona l , I nc . , 621 S. W 2d 142, . 1 4 6 ( Te nn. 1981) .
He r e , t he j ur y' s ve r di c t wa s not wi t hi n t he " r a nge o f r e a s ona bl e ne s s . " The r e f or e , t he t r i a l c our t s houl d h a ve s ugge s t e d a n a dd i t ur or gr a nt e d a ne w t r i a l . Fo s t e r v. Amc on I nt e r na t i ona l , I nc . , 621 S. W 2d 142 . ( Te nn. 1981) . W a r e of t he opi ni on t ha t t he t r i a l e c o ur t a bus e d i t s di s c r e t i on i n f a i l i ng t o s ugge s t a n a d di t ur o r , i n t he a l t e r na t i ve , f a i l i ng t o gr a nt a ne w t r i al .
W r e c ogni z e t ha t t he r e i s e vi de nc e i n t he r e c or d f r om whi c h t h e e
j u r y c o ul d ma ke a s i gni f i c a nt l y l a r ge r a wa r d a s t o M s . Ta l bot t r
a n d a l s o a n a wa r d a s t o M . Ta l bot t . r
2 The Ta l bot t ' s pr oof s howe d t ha t t he me di c a l e xpe ns e s
i n c u r r e d by M s . Ta l bot t i nc i de nt t o he r i nj ur i e s we r e $4719. 5 9 , r
a n d t h a t s he s uf f e r e d i nj u r i e s t o t he l e f t s i de of he r f a c e , h e r
n e c k, h e r l e f t a r m a nd h e r c he s t , t ha t s he wa s t a ke n by a mbul a nc e
t o St . M r y' s Hos pi t a l Eme r ge nc y Room whe r e s he wa s e xa mi ne d a n d a
x - r a ye d. She wa s a l s o t r e a t e d wi t h a ne c k c ol l a r a nd gi ve n a
p r e s c r i pt i on me di c i ne be f o r e be i ng r e l e a s e d.
I mme di a t e l y a f t e r t he a c c i de nt , s he wa s t r e a t e d br i e f l y
b y h e r phys i c i a n f a t he r a n d t he r e a f t e r by a c hi r opr a c t or f or a
s h o r t p e r i od o f t i me . La t e r , s he c a me unde r t he c a r e of Dr .
Ge o r g e Fi l l mor e who pr e s c r i be d phys i c a l t he r a py. W n t he he
p h y s i c a l t he r a py di d not s i gni f i c a nt l y i mpr ove he r c ondi t i on, Dr .
Fi l l mo r e r e f e r r e d h e r t o Dr . A. B. Kl i e f ot h, I I I , a ne ur os ur ge o n .
MRI s c a ns we r e done unde r Dr . Kl i e f ot h' s s upe r vi s i on, whi c h
r e v e a l e d a s ma l l r upt ur e d di s c i n he r ne c k. Thi s c a us e d he r n o
p r o b l e m a nd s ur ge r y wa s not i ndi c a t e d. Dr . Kl i e f ot h t e s t i f i e d
t h a t i n hi s opi ni on t he a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt a ggr a va t e d a pr e -
e x i s t i n g c ondi t i on on he r l e f t s i de , a nd wa s of t he f ur t he r
o p i n i o n t ha t s he mor e l i ke l y t ha n not woul d ne e d f ut ur e me di c a l
t r e a t me nt a nd me di c a t i on f or pa i n.
I f t he f or e goi ng we r e t he onl y e vi de nc e t ouc hi ng upo n
M s . Ta l bot t ' s i nj ur i e s we woul d ha ve no he s i t a nc y i n f i ndi ng t h e r
a wa r d wa s not wi t hi n t he r a nge of r e a s ona bl e ne s s . Howe ve r , t h e r e
i s o t h e r pr oof i n t he r e c or d whi c h s hows t ha t M s . Ta l bot t ha d r
b e e n i n vol ve d i n a pr e vi ous a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt i n 1977, a nd s o me
3 n i n e mo n t hs pr i or t o t he a c c i de nt f or whi c h s he s e e ks r e c ove r y
s h e v i s i t e d Dr . Robe r t Fi ne l l i , c ompl a i ni ng of t he s a me i nj ur i e s
a n d p r o bl e ms s he c ont e nds we r e a r e s ul t of t he a c c i de nt .
The r e wa s a l s o i nt r oduc e d a me di c a l hi s t or y
q u e s t i o nna i r e whi c h M s . Ta l bot t c ompl e t e d a ppr oxi ma t e l y t hr e e r
mo n t h s pr i or t o t he a c c i de nt whe r e s he a l s o c ompl a i ne d of t he
s a me t y pe pa i n a nd di s a bi l i t i e s . I n t hi s c onne c t i on, M s . r
Ta l bo t t t e s t i f i e d a s f ol l ows :
Q Di d you t e l l me i n M . Fol e y' s of f i c e i n hi s r p r e s e nc e t ha t a f t e r Dr . Fi ne l l i di d t hos e di a gnos t i c s t udi e s t he n you got t ot a l l y we l l a s f a r a s you know a n yhow?
A Af t e r t he mye l ogr a m wa s done I di d not ha ve a n ymor e pr obl e ms e xc e pt one t ha t I s a w a de nt i s t a bout .
Q Di d t he a ns we r - - di d you gi ve me t he a ns we r a t t h a t t i me t ha t I di d not ha ve a nymor e ne c k pr obl e ms a f t e r t ha t or a r m or s houl de r pr obl e m a f t e r I ha d t ha t d o ne ?
A Af t e r I ha d t he mye l ogr a m; t ha t ' s t r ue . I t hought I wa s c ompl e t e l y we l l .
Q W n I a s ke d you a bout t ha t , di d you t e l l me a bout he h a vi ng s ome mor e ne c k pa i n be f or e t hi s a c c i de nt ?
A I don' t r e me mbe r ; I j us t don' t r e me mbe r .
. . . .
Q You he a r d your f a t he r I be l i e ve - - be f or e I ge t i nt o t ha t - - t e s t i f y t oda y t ha t s o f a r a s he r e c a l l e d b e f or e t hi s a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt of Apr i l t he 15t h of 1 9 94, t ha t you ha d no t ha d a ny di z z i ne s s e xc e pt pe r ha ps wh e n you we r e e xpe c t i ng your c hi l dr e n?
A I h e a r d h i m t e s t i f y t o t ha t ?
Q Ye s .
A Ye s , I di d he a r hi m s a y t ha t .
4 Q And i s di z z i ne s s one of t he t hi ngs t ha t you now c o mpl a i n of ?
A Ye s .
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
I N THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
EASTERN SECTI ON
PATTY J EAN TALBOTT ) KNOX COUNTY a n d SAM TALBOTT ) 03A01- 9609- CV- 00304 ) Pl a i nt i f f s - Appe l l a nt s ) ) ) HON. W HEELER ROSENBALM, v. ) J UDGE ) ) J UDY F. SLAVEN ) ) De f e nda nt - Appe l l e e ) AFFI RMED AND REMANDED
J OHN M FOLEY OF KNOXVI LLE FOR APPELLANTS .
PAUL F. DUNN OF KNOXVI LLE FOR APPELLEE
O P I N I O N
Godda r d, P. J .
Pa t t y J e a n Ta l bot t a nd he r hus ba nd, Sa m Ta l bot t , a pp e a l
a j u d g me nt e nt e r e d i n t he Ci r c ui t Cour t f or Knox Count y whi c h, i n
a c c o r d a nc e wi t h a j ur y ve r di c t , a wa r de d he r $2264. 59 f or pe r s o n a l
i n j u r i e s r e c e i ve d i n a n a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt . The j ur y obvi ous l y
f o u n d t ha t M . Ta l bot t s uf f e r e d no da ma ge s a nd f i xe d hi s r e c ov e r y r
a t z e r o. The Ta l bot t s a ppe a l , i ns i s t i ng t ha t t he j udgme nt s a r e
s o i n a d e qua t e t ha t t he Tr i a l Cour t e r r e d i n not gr a nt i ng a ne w
t r i a l or a n a ddi t ur . The y a l s o i ns i s t t he Tr i a l Cour t e r r e d i n
n o t a wa r di ng di s c r e t i ona r y c os t s whi c h t ot a l e d $1595. 40.
The s t a nda r d of r e vi e w i n de t e r mi ni ng whe t he r a n
a p p e l l a t e c our t s houl d r e qui r e a ne w t r i a l be c a us e of t he
i n a d e q u a c y of a j ur y ve r di c t i s whe t he r t he a mount a wa r de d f a l l s
b e l o w t he r a nge of r e a s ona bl e ne s s . Smi t h v. She l t on, 569 S. W 2 d .
4 2 1 ( Te nn. 1978) . Al t hough not s pe c i f i c a l l y c i t i ng Smi t h, t h i s
Co u r t , i n W l ke r s on v . Al t i z e r , 845 S. W 2d 744, 749 i .
( Te n n . App. 1992) , f ol l owe d t he s a me r ul e a nd, i n doi ng s o, s a i d
t h e f o l l owi ng:
Thi s Cour t doe s not ha ve t he a ut hor i t y t o gr a nt a n a d di t ur . Te nn. Code Ann. § 20- 10- 101. W r e vi e w t he e a c t i on of t he t r i a l c our t i n s ugge s t i ng a n a ddi t ur p u r s ua nt t o Te nne s s e e Rul e of Appe l l a t e Pr oc e dur e 1 3 ( d) . Te nn. Code Ann. 20- 10- 101( b) ( 2) .
Howe ve r , t he s t a t ut e doe s not pr ovi de a ny gui da nc e wh e n t he t r i a l c our t r e f us e s t o gr a nt a n a ddi t ur . Se e Fo s t e r v. Amc on I nt e r na t i ona l , I nc . , 621 S. W 2d 142, . 1 4 6 ( Te nn. 1981) .
He r e , t he j ur y' s ve r di c t wa s not wi t hi n t he " r a nge o f r e a s ona bl e ne s s . " The r e f or e , t he t r i a l c our t s houl d h a ve s ugge s t e d a n a dd i t ur or gr a nt e d a ne w t r i a l . Fo s t e r v. Amc on I nt e r na t i ona l , I nc . , 621 S. W 2d 142 . ( Te nn. 1981) . W a r e of t he opi ni on t ha t t he t r i a l e c o ur t a bus e d i t s di s c r e t i on i n f a i l i ng t o s ugge s t a n a d di t ur o r , i n t he a l t e r na t i ve , f a i l i ng t o gr a nt a ne w t r i al .
W r e c ogni z e t ha t t he r e i s e vi de nc e i n t he r e c or d f r om whi c h t h e e
j u r y c o ul d ma ke a s i gni f i c a nt l y l a r ge r a wa r d a s t o M s . Ta l bot t r
a n d a l s o a n a wa r d a s t o M . Ta l bot t . r
2 The Ta l bot t ' s pr oof s howe d t ha t t he me di c a l e xpe ns e s
i n c u r r e d by M s . Ta l bot t i nc i de nt t o he r i nj ur i e s we r e $4719. 5 9 , r
a n d t h a t s he s uf f e r e d i nj u r i e s t o t he l e f t s i de of he r f a c e , h e r
n e c k, h e r l e f t a r m a nd h e r c he s t , t ha t s he wa s t a ke n by a mbul a nc e
t o St . M r y' s Hos pi t a l Eme r ge nc y Room whe r e s he wa s e xa mi ne d a n d a
x - r a ye d. She wa s a l s o t r e a t e d wi t h a ne c k c ol l a r a nd gi ve n a
p r e s c r i pt i on me di c i ne be f o r e be i ng r e l e a s e d.
I mme di a t e l y a f t e r t he a c c i de nt , s he wa s t r e a t e d br i e f l y
b y h e r phys i c i a n f a t he r a n d t he r e a f t e r by a c hi r opr a c t or f or a
s h o r t p e r i od o f t i me . La t e r , s he c a me unde r t he c a r e of Dr .
Ge o r g e Fi l l mor e who pr e s c r i be d phys i c a l t he r a py. W n t he he
p h y s i c a l t he r a py di d not s i gni f i c a nt l y i mpr ove he r c ondi t i on, Dr .
Fi l l mo r e r e f e r r e d h e r t o Dr . A. B. Kl i e f ot h, I I I , a ne ur os ur ge o n .
MRI s c a ns we r e done unde r Dr . Kl i e f ot h' s s upe r vi s i on, whi c h
r e v e a l e d a s ma l l r upt ur e d di s c i n he r ne c k. Thi s c a us e d he r n o
p r o b l e m a nd s ur ge r y wa s not i ndi c a t e d. Dr . Kl i e f ot h t e s t i f i e d
t h a t i n hi s opi ni on t he a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt a ggr a va t e d a pr e -
e x i s t i n g c ondi t i on on he r l e f t s i de , a nd wa s of t he f ur t he r
o p i n i o n t ha t s he mor e l i ke l y t ha n not woul d ne e d f ut ur e me di c a l
t r e a t me nt a nd me di c a t i on f or pa i n.
I f t he f or e goi ng we r e t he onl y e vi de nc e t ouc hi ng upo n
M s . Ta l bot t ' s i nj ur i e s we woul d ha ve no he s i t a nc y i n f i ndi ng t h e r
a wa r d wa s not wi t hi n t he r a nge of r e a s ona bl e ne s s . Howe ve r , t h e r e
i s o t h e r pr oof i n t he r e c or d whi c h s hows t ha t M s . Ta l bot t ha d r
b e e n i n vol ve d i n a pr e vi ous a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt i n 1977, a nd s o me
3 n i n e mo n t hs pr i or t o t he a c c i de nt f or whi c h s he s e e ks r e c ove r y
s h e v i s i t e d Dr . Robe r t Fi ne l l i , c ompl a i ni ng of t he s a me i nj ur i e s
a n d p r o bl e ms s he c ont e nds we r e a r e s ul t of t he a c c i de nt .
The r e wa s a l s o i nt r oduc e d a me di c a l hi s t or y
q u e s t i o nna i r e whi c h M s . Ta l bot t c ompl e t e d a ppr oxi ma t e l y t hr e e r
mo n t h s pr i or t o t he a c c i de nt whe r e s he a l s o c ompl a i ne d of t he
s a me t y pe pa i n a nd di s a bi l i t i e s . I n t hi s c onne c t i on, M s . r
Ta l bo t t t e s t i f i e d a s f ol l ows :
Q Di d you t e l l me i n M . Fol e y' s of f i c e i n hi s r p r e s e nc e t ha t a f t e r Dr . Fi ne l l i di d t hos e di a gnos t i c s t udi e s t he n you got t ot a l l y we l l a s f a r a s you know a n yhow?
A Af t e r t he mye l ogr a m wa s done I di d not ha ve a n ymor e pr obl e ms e xc e pt one t ha t I s a w a de nt i s t a bout .
Q Di d t he a ns we r - - di d you gi ve me t he a ns we r a t t h a t t i me t ha t I di d not ha ve a nymor e ne c k pr obl e ms a f t e r t ha t or a r m or s houl de r pr obl e m a f t e r I ha d t ha t d o ne ?
A Af t e r I ha d t he mye l ogr a m; t ha t ' s t r ue . I t hought I wa s c ompl e t e l y we l l .
Q W n I a s ke d you a bout t ha t , di d you t e l l me a bout he h a vi ng s ome mor e ne c k pa i n be f or e t hi s a c c i de nt ?
A I don' t r e me mbe r ; I j us t don' t r e me mbe r .
. . . .
Q You he a r d your f a t he r I be l i e ve - - be f or e I ge t i nt o t ha t - - t e s t i f y t oda y t ha t s o f a r a s he r e c a l l e d b e f or e t hi s a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt of Apr i l t he 15t h of 1 9 94, t ha t you ha d no t ha d a ny di z z i ne s s e xc e pt pe r ha ps wh e n you we r e e xpe c t i ng your c hi l dr e n?
A I h e a r d h i m t e s t i f y t o t ha t ?
Q Ye s .
A Ye s , I di d he a r hi m s a y t ha t .
4 Q And i s di z z i ne s s one of t he t hi ngs t ha t you now c o mpl a i n of ?
A Ye s .
Q And a r e you s ugge s t i ng t o t he j ur y t ha t be f or e t h i s a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt oc c ur r e d t ha t you ha d ne ve r h a d a ny pr obl e m wi t h di z z i ne s s ?
A No, I ' m not s ugge s t i ng t ha t a t a l l .
Q You ha ve ha d di z z i ne s s be f or e t hi s a c c i de nt . Is t h i s wha t you' r e t e l l i ng us ?
A Ye s , I ' m s ur e I ' ve ha d s ome di z z i ne s s . I ' m s a yi ng t o t he e xt e nt t ha t I ha ve i t now I di d not ha ve , no.
Q I s t hi s a doc ume nt t ha t ' s i n your ha ndwr i t i ng?
A Ye s , i t i s .
Q Tha nk you. W t i s t he da t e of t ha t doc ume nt ? ha
A 1/ 3/ 94.
Q And i t woul d be a ppr oxi ma t e l y t hr e e mont hs be f or e t h i s a ut omobi l e a c c i de nt ha ppe ne d?
A Ri ght .
Q The r e f e r r a l wa s ma de by your f a t he r Dr . A. Pa t Ke l l y, r e f e r r i ng t o Exhi bi t numbe r 4?
A Oka y.
Q I s t ha t c or r e c t ?
Q Looki ng a t l i ne t hr e e ?
Q W s a n i nqui r y ma de a s t o whe t he r a t t ha t t i me you a we r e ha vi ng h e a da c he s ?
Q And di d you s a y " ye s " ?
5 A Ye s .
Q And ne c k pa i n?
Q And we r e you ha v i ng ne c k pa i n a t t ha t t i me ?
A Thi s wa s a que s t i on he r e f or i n t he pa s t pr obl e ms .
Q You s a y t hi s wa s a que s t i on he r e i n t he pa s t . W a t ' s t he que s t i on? h
A " Do you ha ve he a da c he s ? "
Q And wha t wa s you r a ns we r ?
A " Ye s . "
Q And t he n i t wa s , do you ha ve ne c k pa i n, wa s n' t i t ?
Q And wha t wa s your a ns we r t o t ha t ?
Q And we r e you a s ke d whe t he r t he pa i n wa s c ons t a nt o r not ?
A I don' t know. Coul d you poi nt t ha t out ?
Q I ' m s or r y. I s t he pa i n c ons t a nt ?
Q And you put a c he c k ma r k?
Q Ac hi ng, you put a c he c k ma r k?
Q Shoot i ng, a nd yo u di dn' t put a c he c k ma r k?
A No.
Q And bur ni ng, you put a c he c k ma r k?
6 Thus , t he r e i s ma t e r i a l e vi de nc e i n t he r e c or d f r om
wh i c h t he j ur y c oul d, a nd obvi ous l y di d, f i nd t ha t t he c ompl a i n t s
M s . Ta l bot t h a d s ubs e que nt t o t he a c c i de nt we r e t he s a me a s r
t h o s e s he i de nt i f i e d on a f or m whe n s he wa s ha vi ng de nt a l wor k
d o n e s o me t hr e e mont hs pr e vi ous t o t he a c c i de nt . Thi s f a c t wo u l d
j u s t i f y t he j ur y' s di s c ount i ng M s . Ta l bot t ' s t e s t i mony t ha t a t r
t h e t i me of t he a c c i de nt wi t h M . Sl a ve n s he ha d c ompl e t e l y s
r e c o v e r e d f r om he r pr e vi ou s i nf i r mi t y.
W a c c or di ngl y c onc l ude t ha t t he r e i s ma t e r i a l e vi de nc e e
i n t h e r e c or d f r om whi c h t he j ur y c oul d f i nd t ha t M s . Ta l bot t r
wa s n o t i nj ur e d i n t he a c c i de nt a s s e ve r e l y a s s he c ont e nde d,
t h a t n o t a l l t he me di c a l e xpe ns e s i nc ur r e d we r e ne c e s s a r y, a nd
t h a t h e r hus ba nd' s da ma ge s a s a r e s ul t of he r i nj ur i e s we r e de
mi ni mi s .
As t o t he i s s ue r e l a t i ve t o r e f us a l t o a wa r d
d i s c r e t i ona r y c os t s pur s ua nt t o Rul e 54. 04 of t he Te nne s s e e Ru l e s
o f Ci vi l Pr oc e dur e , we f i r s t not e , a s t he t i t l e of t he Rul e
s u g g e s t s , a wa r di ng of s uc h c os t s i s di s c r e t i ona r y wi t h t he t r i a l
j u d g e a nd hi s de t e r mi na t i o n wi l l not be ove r t ur ne d a bs e nt a
s h o wi n g of a bus e . Our r e v i e w of t hi s r e c or d pe r s ua de s us no
a b u s e h a s be e n s hown.
For t he f or e goi ng r e a s ons t he j udgme nt of t he Tr i a l
Co u r t i s a f f i r me d a nd t he c a us e r e ma nde d f or c ol l e c t i on of t he
7 j u d g me n t a nd c os t s be l ow. Cos t s of a ppe a l a r e a dj udge d a ga i ns t
t h e Ta l bot t s a nd t he i r s ur e t y.
_______________________________ Hous t on M Godda r d, P. J . .
CONCUR:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________________ Do n T. M M r a y, J . c ur
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________________ Ch a r l e s D. Sus a no, J r . , J .