Elston v. Shell Oil Co.
Opinion of the Court
Shell Oil Company and its liability carrier appeal from a judgment entered upon a jury verdict for the appellees. We affirm.
Shell asserts as error the refusal to instruct the jury that personal injury awards are not subject to federal income tax. The refusal follows prior decisions of this court. Cunningham v. Bay Drilling Co., 421 F.2d 1398 (5th Cir. 1970); Prudential Ins. Co. of America v. Wilkerson, 327 F.2d 997 (5th Cir. 1964). We have recently refused to overrule our former decisions. Greco v. Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, 464 F.2d 496 (5th Cir.), rehearing en banc denied, 468 F.2d 822 (5th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 410 U.S. 990, 93 S.Ct. 1502, 36 L.Ed.2d 190 (1973). We therefore regard the issue foreclosed from reconsideration by this panel.
Shell contends that a mistrial should have been declared because of an allegedly prejudicial comment by the court. As an alternative to its request for a mistrial Shell requested, and the court gave, an instruction to the jury to disregard the remark. The granting of Shell’s alternate request for relief was sufficient to cure any error.
In light of the extent of Mrs. Yuratich’s injuries, we cannot say that the verdict was in excess of the maximum amount the jury could have reasonably found. See Gorsalitz v. Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp., 429 F.2d 1033, 1042-1047 (5th Cir. 1970), aff’d after remand, 456 F.2d 180 (5th Cir.), cert denied, 407 U.S. 921, 92 S.Ct. 2463, 32 L.Ed.2d 807 (1972).
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Varena ELSTON, wife of/and Joseph Yuratich v. SHELL OIL COMPANY and the Travelers Insurance Company, Defendants-Third Party v. ZENITH, INC. and Employers Mutual Liability Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Third Party U. S. Fidelity & Guaranty Company, Intervenor-Appellee
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published