Wasicek v. M. Carpenter Baking Co.

179 Wis. 274 | Wis. | 1923

Crownhart, J.

There is no yard-stick by which either the jury or the court can accurately measure the damages in a case of this kind. The legislature has said that the jury shall assess such sum as they deem fair and just. Courts, while recognizing the primary right of the jury to fix the damages as in their judgment seems fair, have laid down some tests of reasonableness within the limits of which the jury may be confined. These tests are not and cannot be the same in all cases. The jury is confined by law to consider pecuniary loss only. That includes, of course, all valuable considerations. Counsel for both parties have furnished us with interesting tabulations and figures which are more or less speculative. But there are some very definite circumstances in this case that tend strongly to support the verdict for pecuniary loss to the widow. The salary, permanency of position, and probable promotion are definitely before us. The deceased was a faithful husband and father, industrious and saving. His income was largely devoted to his family. His duty to support the children, including the defective child, upon his death devolved upon'the widow. She will need for^he family a sum nearly as large as was required before the husband’s death. Her opportunities for doing those things which she.could do for herself and children with the help of the husband are lessened, and that means loss of money value. To sew, knit, buy necessities carefully, and care for the household duties economically, means much in spreading out the small income to meet the needs. The salary of the husband is not the only valuable contribution he makes to the upkeep of the household if he is attentive to his family. We judicially know that there are very many things that a prudent and careful husband does for the comfort and welfare of the family that have a substantial .money value. He may raise a garden, paint the house outside and inside, attend the furnace, put up and take down the storm windows and screens, be electrician, plumber, and carpenter, in a small way, in repairing the home and fixtures, and in very many ways his spare time from his job becomes of great value in eking out a scanty income. The jury are drawn from the common walks of life, and may be presumed to know these things without proof. They are at liberty to draw from the common experience of mankind in arriving at their verdict. Because of these .facts and the jurisdiction conferred on the jury by the constitution and the statutes, this court is reluctant to disturb their verdict. Hence it is only in a case where the damages are so excessive that we can say as a matter of law that the jury must have been actuated by passion or prejudice that we will set aside the verdict on an assessment of damages under the death statute.

We have reviewed the cases cited by the appellant, and judged by the tests laid down for the guidance of courts and juries it seems to us that under all the circumstances of this case $10,000 is a fairly modest sum for pecuniary loss of the widow. The amount the widow receives from the pension fund is not^properly to be considered by' the court or jury in assessment of damages., Cunnien v. Superior I. W. Co. 175 Wis. 172, 184 N. W. 767.

The amount awarded for pain and suffering is much more difficult of approximation. It must be manifest that $2,625 for three hours of conscious pain and suffering, deadened by opiates, cannot stand, for, if so, there would be cases where such damages would mount into hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe millions. There is no accurate scale by which either court or jury can determine damages for pain and suffering. They must, however, exercise their, judgment and discretion. We have before us many cases where juries have passed upon damages for pain and suffering. By considering these and the circumstances of each, we may get a fairly balanced average. In this casé we conclude that $500 is the utmost that can be allowed for pain and suffering. The verdict is not perverse. The jury simply had no tangible evidence upon which to base it. That being so, it is best for both parties to have a final decision here. Pursuant to sec. 3072m, Stats., we modify and affirm the judgment of the circuit court accordingly.

By the Court. — The verdict for $600 special damages, and $10,000 for pecuniary damages by reason of the death of the husband, is áffirmed, and the verdict for $2,625 for pain and suffering is reduced do $500. Judgment will be entered accordingly, defendant to have costs on this appeal.