Gregory Lee Boggs v. Dinah K. Rhea

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
August 28, 2014 Session
GREGORY LEE BOGGS, ET AL. v. DINAH K. RHEA
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Greene County
No. 11CV288-TJW Thomas J. Wright, Judge
No. E2013-02859-COA-R3-CV-FILED-NOVEMBER 6, 2014
Gregory Lee Boggs and Lisa Danielle (Pickens) Boggs (“Plaintiffs”) sued Dinah K. Rhea
(“Defendant”) with regard to a motor vehicle accident that occurred in May of 2010 in
Washington County, Tennessee. Defendant admitted responsibility for the accident and the
case was tried before a jury solely on the issue of damages. After trial the Circuit Court for
Greene County (“the Trial Court”) entered judgment on the jury’s verdict finding and holding
that Plaintiffs were not entitled to any damages. Plaintiffs appeal to this Court raising issues
concerning the jury’s verdict, denial of their motion for additur or a new trial, and claimed
improper statements by defense counsel in his closing argument. Defendant raises an issue
on appeal with regard to the Trial Court’s denial of her motion for discretionary costs. We
find and hold that the record on appeal contains material evidence to support the jury’s
verdict and that there are no other reversible errors related to Plaintiffs’ issues. We further
find and hold that Defendant is entitled to an award of discretionary costs, and we remand
to the Trial Court for a determination of the appropriate amount of discretionary costs. We
affirm as modified.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court
Affirmed as Modified; Case Remanded
D. M ICHAEL S WINEY, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which C HARLES D. S USANO,
J R., C.J., and T HOMAS R. F RIERSON, II, J., joined.
Jeffrey A. Cobble, Greeneville, Tennessee, for the appellants, Gregory Lee Boggs and Lisa
Danielle (Pickens) Boggs.
Terrill L. Adkins, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Dinah K. Rhea.
OPINION
Background
The accident at issue in this suit occurred on May 28, 2010 when a 2006 Nissan
Sentra being driven by Defendant made contact with the rear of a 1998 Kia Sephia (“Kia”)
in which Ms. Boggs was a passenger. The Kia was owned by Mr. Boggs and was being
driven at the time of the accident by Sarah Watson. At the time of the accident, Ms. Boggs
and Mr. Boggs were engaged, but not yet married.
Plaintiffs filed suit against Defendant on May 26, 2011. Plaintiffs’ complaint
alleged, in pertinent part, that Ms. Boggs suffered injuries to her neck, cervical spine, and
back as a result of the accident and that she sustained permanent injuries. The complaint
contained no allegations about any property damage to the Kia or anything else. Defendant
answered the complaint and admitted responsibility for the accident. On January 22, 2013,
Plaintiffs amended their complaint to, among other things, allege damage to the Kia of
approximately $2,000. The case proceeded to trial before a jury in October of 2013.
At the time of the accident, the Kia was stopped in traffic at the intersection
of East Jackson Boulevard and Boone Street in Washington County when Defendant’s
vehicle made contact with the rear of the Kia. Defendant testified at trial and described the
accident and the contact between her vehicle and the Kia as a bump. Defendant explained
that her foot was on the brake, but that she had not come to a complete stop. She testified
that she was traveling at a speed of less than one mile per hour at the time. Defendant
testified that Ms. Boggs refused EMT treatment at the accident scene and also refused
transportation to the emergency room.
Defendant testified that there was no damage to her vehicle from the accident.
She stated: “Not even any paint on my car from hers.” Photographs of Defendant’s vehicle
taken after the accident depicting the condition of the front of the vehicle were introduced
as exhibits at trial. Defendant testified that she looked at the Kia at the accident scene, and
she stated:
There were several dents in the bumper not related to our accident. There was
one tiny, little tiny V in the middle of her bumper that could have been where
my car struck her, but there’s nothing in my car - - in the front of the car. As
you can see, it’s just straight across there. I can’t see any way that my car
could have put that little V in there, because there’s not anything protruding
from my bumper to do that.
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Defendant also testified that she saw no damage to the trunk of the Kia. When asked if she
saw damage to other areas of the Kia, Defendant stated: “Yes. As I said, there were several
dents in the bumper.” When asked if she saw any damage to the sides of the Kia, Defendant
stated: “I didn’t - - I - - maybe so.” She testified that the Kia was not new and “was kind of
banged up.”
Ms. Boggs testified that when the accident occurred, the Kia did not make
contact with the vehicle stopped in front of it. Ms. Boggs admitted that during the accident
her body did not make contact with any part of the Kia other than the seat she was sitting in
at the time. Ms. Boggs did not ask for any medical treatment at the accident scene. An EMT
arrived at the scene, but did not examine Ms. Boggs. Ms. Boggs stated this was “because
I opted to drive my vehicle.” Ms. Boggs admitted that she had “[n]o lump, bump, or bruise,
but I do have a strain.” After a police officer prepared a report at the scene Ms. Boggs went
to the medical center to be checked out where, after being examined, she was released to
leave and not admitted to the hospital.
Ms. Boggs admitted that she has not sought any medical evaluations or
treatment for any problem with her neck or back since June 1, 2010. She also admitted that
she has had no physical therapy, no shots, and no bandages with regard to her neck and back
since that time.
Ms. Boggs claimed that she was unable to work from the date of the accident
on May 28, 2010 until late August of 2010. Ms. Boggs admitted that during that time period,
on July 4, 2010, she and Mr. Boggs were married.
Ms. Boggs was asked about the job she had at the time of the accident working
for Advanced Call Center Technologies, LLC (“ACCT”), and she admitted that she dealt
with people over the phone using a headset while seated at a computer. Ms. Boggs admitted
that she has nothing from a doctor showing that she was unable to sit at a computer and
answer the phone between May 28, 2010 and August 28, 2010. She stated: “I just had my
work release form from the emergency room.”
Ms. Boggs claimed that ACCT fired her, but a document prepared by ACCT
and introduced as an exhibit at trial states that Ms. Boggs’s employment was ended
voluntarily to accept other work. Additionally, a State of Tennessee Department of Labor
and Workforce Development Division of Employment Security Separation Notice signed by
a representative of ACCT and introduced as an exhibit at trial shows that Ms. Boggs was
employed by ACCT from June 22, 2009 through May 27, 2010, the later of which was the
day prior to the accident.
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Ms. Boggs worked at Arby’s from August of 2010 until August of 2011, and
the Arby’s records show that she missed one day of work due to some coughing and one day
of work due to a wrist injury. During the time she worked at Arby’s, Ms. Boggs did not miss
any time from work due to neck or back problems. Ms. Boggs voluntarily quit her job at
Arby’s because she and her husband chose to move to Kentucky. Ms. Boggs admitted that
although she was supposed to work out a two week notice when she quit her job at Arby’s,
she simply failed to show up for work, and Arby’s made a notation in her file to the effect
of ‘do not rehire.’
After quitting her job at Arby’s, Ms. Boggs obtained a job in Kentucky with
Fourteen Foods doing business as Dairy Queen. Ms. Boggs filled out a physical demands
description form for this job, which she signed on August 6, 2011. The form states that the
physical demands include standing, sitting, walking, bending frequently, twisting frequently,
kneeling, climbing, reaching frequently, lifting up to thirty pounds occasionally, lifting up
to fifty pounds ‘seldomly,’ carrying up to fifty pounds, repetitive motions, and grasping, and
Ms. Boggs indicated that she could do all of these things. Ms. Boggs admitted that she put
nothing on the form indicating that she had a history of back pain, or neck pain, or
headaches.
From August 6, 2011 through the end of 2011, Ms. Boggs missed no days of
work at the Dairy Queen due to neck or back pain or headaches. For the entire calendar year
of 2012, Ms. Boggs missed no days of work at the Dairy Queen due to neck pain, back pain,
or headaches.
Ms. Boggs saw health care providers for asthma and for her wrist and her knee
during 2011 and 2012. Medical records from Takoma Medical Center where Ms. Boggs
received treatment for coughing on May 12, 2011 contain no mention of neck pain. On June
28, 2011 Ms. Boggs went to Johnson City Medical Center for a hand injury. She admitted
that she made no complaints of neck or back pain during that visit to the Johnson City
Medical Center.
On October 30, 2011 Ms. Boggs went to the Appalachian Medical Center for
treatment for congestion and a fever and cough, but made no complaints of back or neck
pain. On February 5, 2012 Ms. Boggs again went to the Appalachian Medical Center, this
time for treatment for an upset stomach. During this visit she made no complaints of neck
or back pain or headaches. Ms. Boggs was seen at the Appalachian Medical Center for
pneumonia on August 1, 2012, but made no complaints of neck or back pain or headaches
during this visit. On November 9, 2012 she sought treatment at the Appalachian Medical
Center for knee pain after she blew her knee out “going around where” she lived, but made
no complaints of neck or back pain or headaches.
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Ms. Boggs was asked about her testimony that her health insurance did not pay
for the medical bills from the two visits after the accident, and she stated: “I didn’t state that
they didn’t pay any. I said I had unpaid bills.” When questioned further she admitted that
the health care providers had accepted her insurance and “[t]hat three thousand has been paid
on it, yes.” Ms. Boggs admitted that neither of the two health care providers that she saw
after the accident were testifying at trial.
Ms. Boggs admitted that Dr. Webster who was testifying on her behalf at trial
had been paid a thousand dollars for his work on this case, and that Dr. Webster never had
provided Ms. Boggs with any medical treatment. Ms. Boggs traveled from Kentucky1 to
meet with Dr. Webster and has not been back to see Dr. Webster for neck or back problems
or headaches. Ms. Boggs also admitted that she has seen no other doctors for neck or back
problems or headaches since she met with Dr. Webster.
Ms. Boggs admitted that there had been no repairs made to the Kia since the
accident. She further testified that the Kia was a 1998 model that was purchased used
approximately one year prior to the accident for approximately eight hundred dollars.
Mr. Boggs also testified at trial. Mr. Boggs admitted that he had been
requested to produce a repair estimate for the alleged damage to the Kia and that he had
failed to produce one. He also admitted that Plaintiffs’ first complaint contains no
allegations of damage to the Kia, and that the claim for damage to the Kia was added to the
suit approximately two and a half years after the accident occurred.
At the time of the accident, Mr. Boggs was working occasionally doing
construction and mechanic work, and Ms. Boggs was working full-time. At trial, when asked
about testimony given by Ms. Boggs that he had to help her with housework because of the
accident, Mr. Boggs first agreed with this statement. When confronted with his deposition
testimony, however, Mr. Boggs admitted that he always had done the housework because Ms.
Boggs worked full-time.
After trial the Trial Court entered Final Judgment on the jury’s verdict on
November 6, 2013 finding and holding that Plaintiffs were not entitled to any damages and
dismissing Plaintiffs’ claims. Plaintiffs filed a motion for additur or in the alternative for a
new trial, which the Trial Court denied. Plaintiffs appeal to this Court.
1
Ms. Boggs testified that she and her husband moved back to Greeneville, TN at the end of February
or beginning of March of 2013.
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Discussion
Although not stated exactly as such, Plaintiffs raise three issues on appeal: 1)
whether the jury’s verdict is supported by material evidence; 2) whether the Trial Court erred
in denying Plaintiffs’ motion for additur or in the alternative a new trial; and, 3) whether
statements made by Defendant’s counsel during closing argument constitute reversible error.
Defendant raises an issue regarding whether the Trial Court erred in denying her motion for
discretionary costs.
We begin by addressing whether the jury’s verdict is supported by material
evidence. As our Supreme Court has instructed:
An appellate court shall only set aside findings of fact by a jury in a
civil matter if there is no material evidence to support the jury’s verdict. Tenn.
R. App. P. 13(d); Whaley v. Perkins, 197 S.W.3d 665, 671 (Tenn. 2006). In
determining whether there is material evidence to support a verdict, we shall:
“(1) take the strongest legitimate view of all the evidence in favor of the
verdict; (2) assume the truth of all evidence that supports the verdict; (3) allow
all reasonable inferences to sustain the verdict; and (4) discard all
[countervailing] evidence.” Barnes v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 48
S.W.3d 698, 704 (Tenn. 2000) (citing Crabtree Masonry Co. v. C & R Constr.,
Inc., 575 S.W.2d 4, 5 (Tenn 1978)). “Appellate courts shall neither reweigh
the evidence nor decide where the preponderance of the evidence lies.”
Barnes, 48 S.W.3d at 704. If there is any material evidence to support the
verdict, we must affirm it; otherwise, the parties would be deprived of their
constitutional right to trial by jury. Crabtree Masonry Co., 575 S.W.2d at 5.
Creech v. Addington, 281 S.W.3d 363, 372 (Tenn. 2009).
Plaintiffs argue in their brief on appeal that the jury must have misunderstood
the concept of burden of proof and that the jury misapplied the evidence when reaching its
verdict. Plaintiffs admitted, however, in their motion for additur, or in the alternative for a
new trial, that the Trial Court “appropriately instructed the jury that it was to consider the
case by reference only to the evidence and sworn testimony which was presented,” and “also
appropriately charged the jury regarding the burden of proof of each party.” Plaintiffs argue
in their brief on appeal that the jury “obviously assumed facts not in evidence, thereby
reaching a conclusion which was not supported by any evidence, much less by the weight of
the evidence thereof.” (emphasis in original). Plaintiffs are mistaken.
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The evidence in the record on appeal shows that the accident occurred on May
28, 2010. The jury heard Defendant’s testimony that she was traveling at a speed of less than
one mile per hour and that she had her foot on the brake when her vehicle made contact with
the Kia. The jury also heard Defendant describe the contact as a bump. The jury saw
photographs taken of Defendant’s vehicle after the accident, which show no damage to
Defendant’s vehicle, and heard Defendant’s testimony that she looked at the Kia after the
accident and saw no damage to it other than dents likely not related to the accident at issue.
Plaintiffs claimed that Ms. Boggs suffered injuries to her neck, cervical spine,
and back as a result of the accident and that she sustained permanent injuries. Ms. Boggs,
however, testified at trial and admitted that since June 1, 2010 she has not sought any medical
evaluations or treatment for any problem with her neck or back. She also admitted that she
has had no physical therapy, no shots, and no bandages with regard to her neck and back
since that time.
Furthermore, although Ms. Boggs claimed she was unable to work from the
date of the accident on May 28, 2010 until late August of 2010, she admitted that she has
nothing from a doctor showing that she was unable to sit at a computer and answer the phone
during that time period. In fact, she stated: “I just had my work release form from the
emergency room.” Ms. Boggs claimed that ACCT, the employer she asserted she worked
for at the time of the accident, fired her. A document prepared by ACCT and introduced as
an exhibit at trial, however, states that Ms. Boggs’s employment was ended voluntarily to
accept other work. Additionally, the jury saw a State of Tennessee Department of Labor and
Workforce Development Division of Employment Security Separation Notice signed by a
representative of ACCT and introduced as an exhibit at trial, which shows that Ms. Boggs
was employed by ACCT through May 27, 2010, which was the day prior to the accident. The
evidence in the record on appeal also shows that Ms. Boggs missed no days of work from her
job at Arby’s from August of 2010 until August of 2011 due to neck or back pain and that
she missed no days of work due to neck or back pain from her job at the Dairy Queen from
August 6, 2011 through the entire calendar year of 2012. The jury also heard Mr. Boggs
admit that despite the allegations that Mr. Boggs had to help Ms. Boggs with housework due
to the accident, Mr. Boggs actually always had done the housework because Ms. Boggs
worked full-time.
With regard to alleged damage to the Kia, Ms. Boggs admitted that there had
been no repairs made to the Kia since the accident. She further testified that the Kia was a
1998 model that was purchased used approximately one year prior to the accident for
approximately eight hundred dollars. The jury heard Mr. Boggs admit that he had been
requested to produce a repair estimate for the alleged damage to the Kia and that he had
failed to produce one. Mr. Boggs also admitted that Plaintiffs’ first complaint contains no
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allegations of damage to the Kia, and that the claim for damage to the Kia was added to the
suit approximately two and a half years after the accident occurred.
It is clear from the record on appeal that the jury made credibility
determinations, as is its responsibility to do, and that it found Plaintiffs’ claims to be not
credible. It is within the jury’s province to make determinations regarding witness
credibility. E.g., Alexander v. Armentrout, 24 S.W.3d 267, 274 (Tenn. 2000); Reynolds v.
Ozark Motor Lines, Inc., 887 S.W.2d 822, 823 (Tenn. 1994).
Plaintiffs argue in their brief on appeal that Dr. Webster’s testimony “was not
rebutted by any other expert.” Dr. Webster’s testimony, however, does not appear in the
record on appeal. Plaintiffs, as the appellants, had the duty “to prepare a record which
conveys a fair, accurate and complete account of what transpired in the trial court with
respect to the issues which form the basis of the appeal.” Nickas v. Capadalis, 954 S.W.2d
735, 742 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997) (quoting State v. Boling, 840 S.W.2d 944, 951 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1992)). Furthermore, even in the absence of competing expert testimony, the jury could
make credibility determinations regarding Dr. Webster’s testimony, and could choose to find
such testimony not credible.2
Plaintiffs also argue in their reply brief3 on appeal:
[Defendant’s] speed WAS at issue, and while no witness made any specific
statement about speed, [Defendant’s attorney] attempted to testify for her that
she was going less than one mile per hour. Such a slow speed could never
have caused significant damage to the [Kia], and [Plaintiffs’] testimony was
that there was at least $1,500 worth of damage to the rear portion of their car.
A “less-than-one-mile-an-hour” impact could not have created this amount of
damage.
Plaintiffs simply are wrong in their assertion about a lack of evidence regarding speed. There
is testimony in the record on appeal about the speed at which Defendant was traveling at the
time of the accident. Specifically, the following exchange occurred during Defendant’s
testimony:
2
We are not saying that the jury found Dr. Webster’s testimony not credible. We merely note that
it is within the jury’s province to find a witness, including an expert witness, not credible even in the absence
of competing testimony.
3
Plaintiffs include this argument in support of their issue regarding alleged improper statements made
by Defendant’s attorney during closing argument. This argument, however, also applies to whether there
was material evidence to support the jury’s verdict.
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A. My foot was on the brake.
Q. Right.
A. But I had not come to a complete stop.
Q. Right. The car was still moving when you struck the back of the [Kia],
right?
A. Less than a mile an hour, yes.
The jury heard this testimony that Defendant’s vehicle was traveling at less than one mile per
hour at the time of impact. Clearly, the jury agreed with Plaintiffs’ assertion that: “Such a
slow speed could never have caused significant damage to the [Kia], . . . .”
Taking the strongest legitimate view of all the evidence in favor of the verdict,
assuming the truth of all evidence that supports the verdict, allowing all reasonable
inferences to sustain the verdict and discarding all countervailing evidence, as we must, we
find that there is material evidence in the record to support the jury’s verdict. As such, we
must affirm the jury’s verdict.
We next consider whether the Trial Court erred in denying Plaintiffs’ motion
for additur or in the alternative a new trial. To begin, our Supreme Court has instructed that:
“the power to suggest an additur in favor of a plaintiff is dependent upon there first being a
verdict in favor of that plaintiff . . . [i]f there are no such damages awarded, there cannot be
an additur.” McCall v. Waer, 487 S.W.2d 308, 311 (Tenn. 1972). The jury awarded zero
damages to Plaintiffs in this case. The issue of damages was the only issue tried. Thus, there
was no verdict in favor of Plaintiffs. As such, we find no error in the Trial Court’s denial of
Plaintiffs’ motion for additur.
With regard to a motion for new trial, this Court has explained:
A trial court is given wide latitude in granting a motion for a new trial,
and a reviewing court will not overturn such a decision unless there has been
an abuse of discretion. Mize v. Skeen, 63 Tenn. App. 37, 42-43, 468 S.W.2d
733, 736 (1971); see also Tennessee Asphalt Co. v. Purcell Enter., 631 S.W.2d
439, 442 (Tenn. App. 1982). As the thirteenth juror, the trial judge is required
to approve or disapprove the verdict, to independently weigh the evidence, and
to determine whether the evidence preponderates in favor of or against the jury
verdict. Mize, 63 Tenn. App. at 42, 468 S.W.2d at 736. If the trial judge is
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dissatisfied with the verdict, he should set it aside and grant a new trial.
Hatcher v. Dickman, 700 S.W.2d 898, 899 (Tenn. App. 1985)(quoting
Cumberland Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Smithwick, 112 Tenn. 463, 469, 79 S.W. 803,
804 (1904)).
Loeffler v. Kjellgren, 884 S.W.2d 463, 468 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1994).
In the case now before us on appeal, the Trial Court in its order denying
Plaintiffs’ motion for new trial stated that it had, acting as the thirteenth juror, carefully
considered and weighed all of the evidence and that it affirmed the jury’s verdict. We find
no abuse of discretion in the Trial Court’s denial of Plaintiffs’ motion for new trial.
Next, we consider whether statements made by Defendant’s counsel during
closing argument constitute reversible error. Plaintiffs argue in their brief on appeal that
Defendant’s counsel made improper statements during closing argument about the fact that
Plaintiffs had not introduced specific evidence including photographs of the alleged damage
to the Kia, testimony of the emergency room physician who treated Ms. Boggs after the
accident, and the medical records from the emergency room visit. Plaintiffs assert in their
brief that these statements caused the jury to doubt the credibility of Plaintiffs. Even if
statements about this ‘missing evidence’ were error, and we make no decision that these
statements were or were not error, such error would be harmless error as our considering the
record as a whole shows that it did not “more probably than not [affect] the judgment or . .
. result in prejudice to the judicial process.” Tenn. R. App. P. 36 (b).
Finally, we consider Defendant’s issue regarding whether the Trial Court erred
in denying her motion for discretionary costs. We review a Trial Court’s decision to award
discretionary costs for abuse of discretion. Quebecor Printing Corp. v. L & B Mfg. Co., 209
S.W.3d 565, 583 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006). As this Court has explained:
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.04(2) permits prevailing parties in civil actions to
recover “discretionary costs.” The purpose of this provision is not to punish
the losing party but rather to help make the prevailing party whole. Owens v.
Owens, 241 S.W.3d 478, 496-97 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007); Scholz v. S. B. Int’l,
Inc., 40 S.W.3d 78, 85 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000). The particular equities of the
case may influence a trial court’s decision to award discretionary costs, Perdue
v. Green Branch Mining Co., 837 S.W.2d 56, 60 (Tenn. 1992), and, therefore,
parties are not entitled to discretionary costs simply because they prevail.
Scholz v. S. B. Int’l, Inc., 40 S.W.3d at 85; Sanders v. Gray, 989 S.W.2d 343,
345 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998).
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The party seeking discretionary costs has the burden of convincing the
trial court that it is entitled to these costs. Carpenter v. Klepper, 205 S.W.3d
474, 490 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006); Stalsworth v. Grummons, 36 S.W.3d 832, 835
(Tenn. Ct. App. 2000). As a general matter, a party seeking discretionary costs
can carry its burden by filing a timely and properly supported motion
demonstrating (1) that it is the prevailing party, (2) that the costs being sought
are included in Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.04(2), (3) that the costs are necessary and
reasonable, and (4) that it has not engaged in conduct during the litigation that
would justify depriving it of the costs it is requesting. Trundle v. Park, 210
S.W.3d 575, 582 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006); Waggoner Motors, Inc. v. Waverly
Church of Christ, 159 S.W.3d 42, 65-66 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004); Mass. Mut.
Life Ins. Co. v. Jefferson, 104 S.W.3d 13, 35-36 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2002).
Duran v. Hyundai Motor America, Inc., 271 S.W.3d 178, 214-15 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008).
In pertinent part, Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.04, provides:
Costs not included in the bill of costs prepared by the clerk are allowable only
in the court’s discretion. Discretionary costs allowable are: reasonable and
necessary court reporter expenses for depositions or trials, reasonable and
necessary expert witness fees for depositions (or stipulated reports) and for
trials, reasonable and necessary interpreter fees not paid pursuant to Tennessee
Supreme Court Rule 42, and guardian ad litem fees; travel expenses are not
allowable discretionary costs. . . .
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 54.04(2).
Plaintiffs argue in their reply brief on appeal that Defendant was not entitled
to discretionary costs, in part, because Defendant cannot be considered the prevailing party.
Plaintiffs are mistaken. In the case now before us on appeal Defendant admitted
responsibility for the accident in her answer to Plaintiffs’ complaint. Thus, the only issue
that was tried was the issue of damages. As discussed more fully above, the jury found that
Plaintiffs were entitled to zero damages, and the Trial Court in its role as thirteenth juror
approved the jury’s verdict. Defendant was the prevailing party.
In its order denying Defendant’s motion for discretionary costs the Trial Court
stated that although Defendant admitted responsibility for the accident, Ms. Boggs had some
medical expenses that she incurred on the day of the accident, and, therefore, discretionary
costs were denied. The jury, however, found that Plaintiffs had zero damages. The jury did
not find that Ms. Boggs incurred medical expenses that constituted damages.
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Defendant filed a timely and properly supported motion for discretionary costs.
A careful and thorough review of the record on appeal reveals no conduct by Defendant
during the litigation that would justify depriving Defendant of discretionary costs. We find
and hold that Defendant is entitled to an award of discretionary costs. We, therefore, remand
this case to the Trial Court for a determination of the appropriate amount of such award.
Conclusion
The judgment of the Trial Court is affirmed as modified, and this cause is
remanded to the Trial Court for determination of the proper amount of discretionary costs to
be awarded to Defendant and for collection of the costs below. The costs on appeal are
assessed against the appellants, Gregory Lee Boggs and Lisa Danielle (Pickens) Boggs, and
their surety.
_________________________________
D. MICHAEL SWINEY, JUDGE
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