Stivers v. Ebert

887 S.W.2d 393, 1994 Mo. LEXIS 73, 1994 WL 657852

• Court: Supreme Court of Missouri
• Decided: November 22, 1994
• Docket: No. 76643
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

The parties agree that the circuit court granted additur but that the Defendant neither had the option of a new trial nor consented to additur. This Court thus reverses based on Tucci v. Moore, 875 S.W.2d 115, 117 (Mo. banc 1994), decided three months after the judgment in this case.

The only issue is the scope of remand. Defendant contends that the circuit court, on remand, must reinstate the jury’s damages verdict. The circuit court overruled the Plaintiffs motion for new trial, which alleged the verdict was

inadequate, given the facts and evidence presented, and was, in fact, against the weight of evidence presented.

However, the court granted additur, finding the verdict was

inadequate because the amount of the jury verdict is less than fair and reasonable compensation for plaintiffs injuries and damages given the evidence presented.

The rulings of the circuit court are inconsistent. Additur requires a finding that “a new trial on damages is warranted.” Tucci, 875 S.W.2d at 116. On remand, the circuit court shall reconsider and reconcile the post-trial rulings and then proceed in accord with Tucci

The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.