Harvey v. Southern Ry. Co.

The opinion of the Court was delivered by Mr. Justice Cothran. The plaintiff, having recovered a verdict of $6,500.00 for damages on account of the alleged wrongful death of his intestate, Mrs. Daisy Harvey (she having been thrown from a buggy, when the mule attached to it became fright-ended by a train of the defendant near a highway crossing in Barnwell County), the judgment entered upon said verdict having been affirmed by this Court (124 S. C., 375; 117 S. E., 411), brings the present action for damages under what is known as the “Survival Statute” for pain and suffering of his intestate. The case was tried before his Honor, Circuit Judge Eeatherstone, and a jury. The verdict was for $3,000.00 actual damages and $1,000.00 punitive damages. The defendants moved for a new trial, and the Circuit Judge passed an order granting a new trial nisi, requiring the plaintiff to *326 remit so much of the verdict as was for $1,000.00 punitive damages or submit to a new trial, upon the ground: “I am convinced that this is not a case where punitive damages should be allowed.” The plaintiff declined to remit, and now appeals from the order of new trial upon the ground that there was abundant evidence tending to support the verdict for punitive damages. It is conceded that there was also abundant evidence tending to relieve the defendants from the imposition of punitive damages. The order of the Circuit Judge was plainly based upon a consideration of the evidence and a conclusion therefrom inconsistent with the verdict. The case, therefore, falls within the rule that, under these circumstances, the order is not appealable. Snipes v. Davis, 131 S. C., 298; 127 S. E., 447. Ingram v. Hines, 126 S. C., 509; 120 S. E., 493. Appeal dismissed. Case remanded to Circuit Court for the new trial ordered. Messrs. Justices Watts and Marion, and Mr. Acting Associate Justice R. O. Purdy concur. Mr. ChiEE Justice Gary did not participate.