AndyMilana | WCM Law

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Defense Jury Overruled (NY)

November 21, 2013

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In <a href="http://pdf.wcmlaw.com/pdf/DiDonna.pdf">DiDonna v. Houck</a>, the Second Department granted plaintiff’s motion to set aside a verdict that was contrary to the weight of the evidence. The plaintiff was struck while crossing the street in a crosswalk by a vehicle driven by the defendant. After trial, the jury found that the plaintiff was 60% at fault while the defendants were 40% at fault for the accident.

The court found that the plaintiff began crossing the street on a “walk” signal and at all times stayed within the crosswalk. There was no evidence presented indicating otherwise. Pursuant to Vehicle and Traffic Law §1112, a pedestrian crossing a roadway during a steady walk signal must be given the right of way. If a pedestrian partially completes his or her crossing on the walk signal, that pedestrian may proceed on a flashing or steady “don’t walk” signal.

Applying the law, the court could not find a fair interpretation of the evidence that was consistent with the jury’s findings. As such, the court held that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence, quite a high standard to meet. The court set aside the verdict and granted a new trial on liability, unless the parties stipulated to a finding that the plaintiff was 5% at fault and the defendants were 95% at fault for the accident.

The verdict is not all that surprising for a case tried in Westchester County, a defendant-friendly venue. However, the court’s decision is not as predictable. The court essentially made its own finding on liability, conditioning it with the threat of a new trial. As seen in this case, a favorable jury verdict, or a favorable venue, will not automatically help a party when the evidence presented does not discharge a party’s liability under the law. However, the defendant will get the benefit of that same jury deciding the damages issues in a bifurcated trial.

Thanks to Anne Mulcahy for her contribution to this post. If you have any questions, please email Paul at<a href="mailto"> pclark@wcmlaw.com</a>

Wade Clark Mulcahy LLP

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