Mogil v. Gorgone — 225 A.D.2d 674

Majority

p. 674

Carol Mogil, Respondent, v Steve Gorgone et al., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs-Appellants-Respondents. Richard Mogil, Third-Party Defendant-Respondent-Appellant.

[639 NYS2d 484]

p. 675

Contrary to the defendants third-party plaintiffs’ contentions, the jury verdict apportioning liability was not against the weight of the evidence. The conflicting evidence presented a question of credibility which the jury resolved and the verdict was reached upon a fair interpretation of the evidence (see, Campbell v Driscoll, 190 AD2d 771 ; Nicastro v Park, 113 AD2d 129 ; see also, Rice v Massalone, 160 AD2d 861 ; Sic v Moran, 208 AD2d 607 ).

Further, it is well settled that the amount of damages to be awarded for personal injuries is primarily a question of fact for the jury (see, Rodriguez v City of New York, 191 AD2d 420 ; Florsz v Ogruk, 184 AD2d 546 ). An award is excessive or inadequate if it deviates materially from what would be reasonable compensation (see, CPLR 5501 [c]). Considering the totality of the plaintiff’s injuries and the period of disability accompanied by pain and suffering, we find that the jury verdict of $150,000 did not deviate materially from what would be reasonable compensation (see, CPLR 5501 [c]; Orris v Orris, 189 AD2d 866 ; Stern v Calzado, . 163 AD2d 299 ).

However, we find that the judgment must be modified since the defendants third-party plaintiffs are not entitled to contribution from the third-party defendant until they have paid the plaintiff an amount in excess of their share of the judgment (see, CPLR 1402; see also, Klinger v Dudley, 41 NY2d 362 , 369; McCabe v Queensboro Farm Prods., 22 NY2d 204 ; Adams v Lindsey, 77 Misc 2d 824 , 826). O’Brien, J. P., Santucci, Altman and Goldstein, JJ., concur.

Cases cited

Nicastro v. Park 113 AD2d 129 N.Y. App. Div. 1985-11-12 p. 675
Rice v. Massalone 160 AD2d 861 N.Y. App. Div. 1990-04-16 p. 675
Sic v. Moran 208 AD2d 607 N.Y. App. Div. 1994-10-11 p. 675
Rodriguez v. City of New York 191 AD2d 420 N.Y. App. Div. 1993-03-01 p. 675
Florsz v. Ogruk 184 AD2d 546 N.Y. App. Div. 1992-06-08 p. 675
Orris v. West 189 AD2d 866 N.Y. App. Div. 1993-01-25 p. 675
Stern v. Calzado 163 AD2d 299 N.Y. App. Div. 1990-07-02 p. 675
McCabe v. Queensboro Farm Products, Inc. 22 NY2d 204 N.Y. 1968-05-29 p. 675
Adams v. Lindsay 77 Misc 2d 824 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1974-03-28 at 826 p. 675