Schuh v. Silcox

581 N.E.2d 926, 1991 Ind. App. LEXIS 1910, 1991 WL 238613

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: November 19, 1991
• Docket: 24A04-9105-CV-134
• Status: Published

Opinions

STATON, Judge.

Irene Schuh appeals the trial court's denial of her motion for a new trial after she received a negative judgment in her personal injury action against Richard Silcox. Irene raises four issues for our review, which we rephrase as:

I. Whether the trial court erroneously denied Irene's motion for a new trial.

II. Whether the trial court erroneously refused evidence submitted by Irene as to the injuries sustained by Irene's mother in the same collision.

III. Whether the trial court submitted an erroneous verdict form to the jury.

IV. Whether the jury was properly instructed.

We reverse.

On November 25, 1987, Irene was a passenger in an automobile driven by her mother, Montana Schuh, when the vehicle was struck from behind by Silcox. Montana was seriously injured in the accident, and settled her claim with Silcox prior to trial. Just before trial began, the parties stipulated that it was Silcox's negligence that caused the accident. The parties contested the extent of Irene's injuries. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Silcox, and Irene moved for a new trial Her motion was denied, and she appeals.

Irene first contends that the denial of her request for a new trial was erroneous, inasmuch as the jury could not have properly found for Silcox after he stipulated that he caused the accident. The grant or denial of a motion for a new trial is within the broad discretion of the trial court, and we will reverse only for abuse of that discretion. Ernst v. Ernst (1987), Ind. App., 508 N.E.2d 619. An abuse of discretion will be found when the trial court's action is clearly erroneous; that is, against the logic and effect of the facts before it and the inferences which may be drawn therefrom. Fairfield v. Fairfield (1989), Ind., 588 N.E.2d 948, reh'g denied.

In support of her claim, Irene cites the stipulation and to certain remarks made by Silcox's attorney. In his opening statement, counsel for Silcox opined:

We're not saying that [Irene] received no injury in that accident, OK? We bumped her and we hit her in the back end, she went to the emergency room and she had an Xray of her knee and we hurt her knee on that day, and yes, she deserves compensation for that. I'm telling you your job is to go back and give her compensation for that.

Record, p. 137. Irene argues that this statement was an admission of liability. We agree.

An opening statement acquaints the judge and jury with the facts that counsel intends to prove; it does not generally amount to substantive evidence. Lystarczyk v. Smits (1982), Ind.App., 485 N.E.2d 1011, 1014. However, an attorney can make an admission during opening statement that is binding upon his client and relieves the opposing party of the duty to present evidence on that issue. Id. The admission must be clear and unequivocal in order to be binding; where there is ambiguity or doubt in a statement, it is presumed that the attorney did not intend to make the admission. Id.; Maldonado by Maldonado v. Gill (1987), Ind.App., 502 N.E.2d 1871, 1372, trans. denied (opening statement containing admission that was not ambiguous nor an outline of anticipated proof held binding on client). See also Mid-States Aircroft Engines, Inc. v. Mize Co., Inc. (1984), Ind.App., 467 N.E.2d 1242, 1248 (statement of attorney at hearing on a motion to dismiss constituting admission); Hockett v. Breunig (1988), Ind.App., 526 N.E.2d 995, 998 (concession of attorney at summary judgment hearing binding on client).

We cannot imagine how the opening statement above could have been more unequivocal. Silcox conceded every element of Irene's negligence claim: a breach of a duty that is owed and injury proximately caused by the breach. Conklin v. DeMastus (1991), Ind.App., 574 N.E.2d 985, 988. The representation that Silcox injured Irene is binding on Silcox. See Maldonado, supra. The only issue remaining for the jury to resolve was the amount of compensation Irene was entitled to. Si-cox's appellate brief is silent on this point.

The trial court's denial of Irene's motion for a new trial was against the logic and effect of the facts and inferences before the court; therefore, we reverse and remand for a new trial. As liability has been stipulated, the new trial is limited solely to a determination of damages. Finding reversal is warranted on this first allegation of error, we need not address any additional issues.

Reversed.

BARTEAU, J., concurs. HOFFMAN, J., dissents and files separate opinion.