Ruddock v. Happell, 307 A.D.2d 719 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2003). · Go Syfert
Ruddock v. Happell, 307 A.D.2d 719 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2003). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
41 citation events (41 in the last 25 years) across 2 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 2003 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2003 2014 2026
Cited for
At page 720 Reviewing motion to set aside jury verdict as against weight of evidence27 citing cases“that determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that of the jury”7 citing courts quote it · 26 listed here
  • Heinrich v. Serens, 2025 NY Slip Op 04318 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2025).published
    While the resolution of a motion to set aside a verdict as against the weight of the evidence "is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, . . . if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving…
  • Revere v. Burke, 2024 NY Slip Op 03948 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2024).published
    While the resolution of a motion to set aside a verdict as against the weight of the evidence "is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, . . . if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving…
  • 2006905 Ontario Inc. v. Goodrich Aerospace Can., Ltd., 2023 NY Slip Op 06681 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2023).published
    The determination of a motion to set aside a verdict as against the weight of the evidence "is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conf…
  • Shelp v. Ratnik, 2023 NY Slip Op 04014 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2023).published
    "That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that…
  • McCulloch v. New York Cent. Mut. Ins. Co., 2019 NY Slip Op 6254 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2019).published
    "That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that…
  • Rozier v. BTNH, Inc., 2018 NY Slip Op 7575 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2018).published
    "That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that…
  • Harris v. Campbell, 155 A.D.3d 1622 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2017).published
    “That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that…
  • Rew v. Niagara Cnty. Sheriff Thomas A. Beilein, 151 A.D.3d 1735 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2017).published
    The determination of a motion to set aside a verdict as against the weight of the evidence “is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conf…
  • Danner, Douglas J. v. Campbell, Raymond J., 147 A.D.3d 1309 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2017).published
    “A motion to set aside a jury verdict as against the weight of the evidence . . . should not be granted ‘unless the preponderance of the evidence in favor of the moving party is so great that the verdict could not have been reached upon an…
  • Siemucha, Paul v. Garrison, Robert D., 111 A.D.3d 1398 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2013).published
    That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute *1402 its judgment for…
Show 16 more citing cases
  • Sauter, Claudette v. Calabretta, Peter a., 103 A.D.3d 1220 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2013).published
    Although “[t]hat determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, ... if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgmen…
  • McAleer v. Quill, 98 A.D.3d 1306 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2012).published 2 cites
    A verdict should not be set aside as against the weight of the evidence “ ‘unless the preponderance of the evidence in favor of the moving party is so great that the verdict could not have been reached upon any fair interpretation of the e…
  • Osmon v. Iskalo Dev. Corp., 94 A.D.3d 1456 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2012).published
    Thus, we conclude that the jury’s determination is one that reasonably could have been rendered based on the evidence presented at trial (see Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2d 719, 720-721 [2003]).
  • Cook, Wendy a. v. Oswego Cnty., 90 A.D.3d 1674 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2011).published
    Rather, viewing the record as a whole, we conclude that “the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered,” and we will not substitute our judgment for that of the jury (Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2d 719, 720 [2003]).
  • Herbst v. Marshall, 89 A.D.3d 1403 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2011).published
    That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that o…
  • Murdoch v. Niagara Falls Bridge Comm'n, 81 A.D.3d 1456 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2011).published
    Plaintiff failed to preserve for our review his contention that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence inasmuch as he failed to make a timely motion to set aside the verdict on that ground (see Homan v Herzig [appeal No. 2], 55…
  • Parr v. Mongarella, 77 A.D.3d 1429 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2010).published
    That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the . . . court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that o…
  • Homan v. Herzig, 55 A.D.3d 1413 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2008).published
    In any event, it cannot be said that “ ‘the preponderance of the evidence in favor of [defendant] is so great that the verdict could not have been reached upon any fair interpretation of the evidence’ ” (Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2d 719, 72…
  • Brown v. Concord Nurseries, Inc., 53 A.D.3d 1067 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2008).published
    It cannot be said that “ ‘the preponderance of the evidence in favor of [plaintiffs was] so great that the verdict could not have been reached upon any fair interpretation of the evidence’ ” (Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2d 719, 720 [2003], qu…
  • Campo v. Neary, 52 A.D.3d 1194 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2008).published
    “A motion to set aside a jury verdict as against the weight of the evidence . . . should not be granted ‘unless the preponderance of the evidence in favor of the moving party is so great that the verdict could not have been reached upon an…
  • Pecora v. Lawrence, 41 A.D.3d 1212 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2007).published
    The court, however, “must not unnecessarily interfere with the fact-finding function of the jury to a degree that amounts to . . . usurpation of the jury’s duty” (Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2d 719, 720-721 [2003] [internal quotation marks om…
  • Price v. Studley, 28 A.D.3d 1196 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2006).published
    Rather, “the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence [and, therefore,] the court [properly refused to] substitute its judgment for that of the jury” (Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2d 719,…
  • Helton v. Hirschman, 17 A.D.3d 987 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2005).published
    Because there is a “valid line of reasoning and permissible inferences that could . . . lead rational persons to the conclusion reached by the jury on the basis of the evidence presented at trial” (Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2d 719, 720 [200…
  • Osinski v. Taefi, 13 A.D.3d 1205 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2004).published
    It is well settled that a motion to set aside a jury verdict as against the weight of the evidence should not be granted “unless the preponderance of the evidence in favor of the moving party is so great that the verdict could not have bee…
  • Am. Linen Supply Co. v. M.W.S. Enter., Inc., 6 A.D.3d 1079 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2004).published
    A “motion to set aside a jury verdict as against the weight of the evidence . . . should not be granted unless the preponderance of the evidence in favor of the moving party is so great that the verdict could not have been reached upon any…
  • Tracy v. Rapesovska, 4 A.D.3d 856 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2004).published
    Contrary to the court’s conclusion, there is a “valid line of reasoning and permissible inferences that could . . . lead rational persons to the conclusion reached by the jury on the basis of the evidence presented at trial” (Ruddock v Hap…
At page 721 “reasonably could have been rendered upon the conflicting evidence adduced at trial”4 citing cases4 citing courts quote it
  • Kendrick v. Rochester Gen. Hosp., 2024 NY Slip Op 03263 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2024).published
    Here, the jury's findings with respect to the assault cause of action "reasonably could have been rendered upon the conflicting evidence adduced at trial" ( Ruddock v Happell , 307 AD2d 719, 721 [4th Dept 2003]; see 2006905 Ontario Inc. v…
  • Gumas v. Niagara Frontier Tr. Metro Sys., Inc., 2020 NY Slip Op 07761 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2020).published
    Upon our review of the record, we conclude that there was "conflicting medical expert testimony 'rais[ing] issues of credibility for the jury to determine' " ( Campo v Neary , 52 AD3d 1194, 1198 [4th Dept 2008]), and the jury's finding tha…
  • Giorgione, Antonio v. Gibaud, Corry F., 147 A.D.3d 1448 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2017).published
    Upon our review of the record, we conclude that the jury’s finding that plaintiff did not sustain a serious injury is “one that reasonably could have been rendered upon the conflicting evidence adduced at trial” (Ruddock v Happell, 307 AD2…
  • Campopiano, Laura L. v. Volcko, Paul J., 82 A.D.3d 1587 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dep't 2011).published
    The parties presented conflicting expert testimony with respect to those categories at the first trial, and the jury was free to reject the testimony of plaintiffs’ expert witnesses (see Cummings v Jiayan Gu, 42 AD3d 920, 922-923 [2007]; R…
Other citing cases1 with no pin cite or quoted language on record
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Susan M. Ruddock
v.
Albert M. Happell
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Jul 3, 2003.
Published opinion
307 A.D.2d 719
2003 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 7871
Cited by 37 opinions  |  Published

Appeal from an order of Supreme Court, Chautauqua County (Gerace, J.), entered March 26, 2002, which, inter alia, granted plaintiffs motion seeking, inter alia, to set aside a verdict and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on liability.

It is hereby ordered that the order so appealed from be and[*720] the same hereby is unanimously modified on the law by denying those parts of the motion of plaintiff seeking to set aside the verdict, for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on liability, and for an order striking portions of the testimony of defendant’s expert witness, by reinstating the verdict and by vacating the third ordering paragraph granting a trial on damages and as modified the order is affirmed without costs.

Memorandum: Plaintiff commenced this action to recover damages for injuries she allegedly sustained in an automobile accident. At the conclusion of her trial testimony, plaintiff moved to amend her bill of particulars to include a fracture to her left wrist as a qualifying serious injury under Insurance Law § 5102 (d), and Supreme Court granted her motion. The jury thereafter returned a verdict in favor of defendant, finding, inter alia, that plaintiff did not sustain a fracture. Plaintiff moved to set aside the verdict as against the weight of the evidence and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on liability on the ground that the evidence established as a matter of law that she sustained a serious injury, namely a fracture, as a result of the accident. Plaintiff also sought an order striking portions of the testimony of defendant’s expert witness and reimbursement for expert witness fees incurred as a result of trial delay attributable to defendant. The court granted plaintiff’s motion in its entirety and granted a trial on damages.

In order for a court to determine as a matter of law that a jury verdict is not supported by sufficient evidence, it is necessary to conclude first that there is simply no valid line of reasoning and permissible inferences that could possibly lead rational persons to the conclusion reached by the jury on the basis of the evidence presented at trial (see Cohen v Hallmark Cards, 45 NY2d 493, 499 [1978]). A motion to set aside a jury verdict as against the weight of the evidence, however, should not be granted “unless the preponderance of the evidence in favor of the moving party is so great that the verdict could not have been reached upon any fair interpretation of the evidence” (Dannick v County of Onondaga, 191 AD2d 963, 964 [1993], citing Kuncio v Millard Fillmore Hosp., 117 AD2d 975 [1986], lv denied 68 NY2d 608 [1986]). That determination is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, but if the verdict is one that reasonable persons could have rendered after receiving conflicting evidence, the court should not substitute its judgment for that of the jury (see Bolles v County of Cattaraugus, 162 AD2d 975 [1990], rearg granted 166 AD2d 931 [1990]). The court must not “ ‘unnecessarily interfere with the fact-finding function of the jury to a degree that amounts[*721] to an usurpation of the jury’s duty’ ” (Nicastro v Park, 113 AD2d 129, 133 [1985], quoting Ellis v Hoelzel, 57 AD2d 968, 969 [1977]). Upon our review of the record, we conclude that the jury’s finding that plaintiff did not sustain a fracture as that term is defined in Insurance Law § 5102 (d) is one that reasonably could have been rendered upon the conflicting evidence adduced at trial (see McLoughlin v Hamburg Cent. School Dist., 227 AD2d 951 [1996], lv denied 88 NY2d 813 [1996]). There was conflicting testimony whether plaintiff sustained a fracture and the jury was free to reject the testimony of plaintiff’s expert witness (see Vasilatos v Chatterton, 135 AD2d 1073, 1074 [1987]). Thus, we agree with defendant that the court erred in setting aside the verdict. A fortiori, the court erred in determining, as a matter of law, that plaintiff sustained a serious injury as a result of the accident (see Reynolds v Burghezi, 227 AD2d 941, 942 [1996]).

The court also erred in striking those portions of the testimony of defendant’s expert witness concerning a November 1998 CT scan. The expert’s testimony concerning that CT scan was “ ‘not so inconsistent with the information and opinions contained [in the expert witness disclosure], nor so misleading, as to warrant preclusion of the expert testimony or reversal’ ” (Andaloro v Town of Ramapo, 242 AD2d 354, 355 [1997], lv denied 91 NY2d 808 [1998], quoting Hageman v Jacobson, 202 AD2d 160, 161 [1994]). Finally, we conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in granting that part of plaintiff’s motion seeking reimbursement for plaintiff’s expert witness fees (see De Laurentis v Bercowitz, 27 AD2d 869, 870 [1967]). We therefore modify the order by denying those parts of the motion of plaintiff seeking to set aside the verdict, for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on liability, and for an order striking portions of the testimony of defendant’s expert witness, by reinstating the verdict and by vacating the third ordering paragraph granting a trial on damages. Present — Pigott, Jr., P.J., Green, Pine, Wisner and Lawton, JJ.