Seelye v. Harvey
Seelye v. Harvey
Opinion of the Court
This appeal is upon a judgment for damages from assault and battery. The court on the trial found that the assault and battery had been committed by defendant upon the plaintiff, that the acts complained of were without cause or provocation, and that they were done maliciously and with intent to humiliate, vex, annoy, and injure the plaintiff. Judgment was for $815 actual damages, and five hundred -dollars exemplary damages.
The claim that plaintiff was abusive and threatening in his manner is not substantiated. It is alleged that the room where the assault occurred was placarded “No Admission,” and that plaintiff was a trespasser. Even so, he testifies that he did not know it was so posted, and the evidence shows that he promptly tried to leave and to escape defendant on being told to get out.
There was no prejudicial error in the admission of evidence. The testimony that plaintiff’s business was affected by his injuries, and that his natural disposition for peace and quiet was good, was immaterial and harmless, in the light of all the facts of the case. The admission of the deposition of the witness Edna Bennett Allen, on the showing made of her being unable to attend in court, was well witMn the discretion of the court.
. We are of the opinion that the court was justified in its judgment of five hundred dollars as exemplary damages. Our only doubt as to the correctness of the judgment is with -regard to the allowance of $815 as actual damages. The testimony of plaintiff’s physician did not present a very serious condition—some bruises and contusions; no bones broken; no fractures or dislocations; no permanent injuries; some mental suffering. The plaintiff’s own testimony as to the amount of financial loss occasioned is rather vague and indefinite. His claim that he paid out about eight hundred dollars for extra help in excess of that which would have been necessary had he been personally fit is rather conjectural. Our conclusion is that the judgment is excessive.
The judgment is reversed and a new trial granted, unless plaintiff, within thirty days after filing of remittitur, remits from his judgment the sum of five hundred dollars. If such amount be so remitted, the judgment as so reduced will stand affirmed.
Finlayson, P. J., and Thomas, J., concurred.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- O. L. SEELYE, Respondent, v. A. C. HARVEY, Appellant
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published