U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2001

Smith v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc

Smith v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · Decided April 10, 2001

Smith v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc

Opinion

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 00-31037 Summary Calendar

LAURA SMITH, Plaintiff - Appellant-Cross-Appellee, versus WAL-MART STORES, INC., Defendant - Appellee-Cross-Appellant.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana USDC No. 96-CV-1900 April 9, 2001 Before POLITZ, JOLLY, and EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:* Both parties appeal the jury’s verdict and the trial court’s rulings on post-verdict motions in this diversity jurisdiction, personal injury action. Laura Smith seeks

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the Court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. recovery under Louisiana law for personal injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident in a retail establishment of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The jury found the relevant accident 51% the fault of Wal-Mart and 49% that of Smith and then assessed damages. Wal- Mart challenges the negligence findings and quantum; Smith challenges the quantum.

This case presents a classic example of a jury’s evaluation of the totality of circumstances presented in litigation and its notable effort to achieve a just result thereof. After reviewing the record, briefs, and relevant Louisiana jurisprudence, we perceive no basis in law or equity requiring appellate court rejection of the jury’s verdict or the post-verdict rulings by the trial court.

The judgment and rulings appealed are all AFFIRMED.

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