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Hommel v. Garelick Manufacturing Co.

Citations: 254 A.D.2d 835; 678 N.Y.S.2d 191; 1998 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 10582

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; October 2, 1998; New York; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Judgment affirmed unanimously without costs. The Supreme Court directed a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs on liability in a products liability case; however, the jury awarded no damages. The court correctly denied the plaintiffs’ motion to set aside the verdict, as there was a reasonable interpretation of the evidence indicating that the plaintiffs did not experience a compensable injury or economic loss. The ruling references relevant case law, specifically Nicastro v Park. The decision was made by Justices Pine, Hayes, Wisner, Pigott, Jr., and Boehm.

Legal Issues Addressed

Directed Verdict in Products Liability

Application: The court directed a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs on the issue of liability in a products liability case, indicating the defendants were found liable as a matter of law.

Reasoning: The Supreme Court directed a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs on liability in a products liability case; however, the jury awarded no damages.

Jury Verdict on Damages

Application: Despite the directed verdict on liability, the jury's decision to award no damages was upheld, suggesting that the jury found no compensable injury or economic loss.

Reasoning: The court correctly denied the plaintiffs’ motion to set aside the verdict, as there was a reasonable interpretation of the evidence indicating that the plaintiffs did not experience a compensable injury or economic loss.

Motion to Set Aside Verdict

Application: The plaintiffs' motion to set aside the jury's verdict of no damages was denied, reinforcing the jury's interpretation of the evidence.

Reasoning: The court correctly denied the plaintiffs’ motion to set aside the verdict, as there was a reasonable interpretation of the evidence indicating that the plaintiffs did not experience a compensable injury or economic loss.