Jorgensen v. Seeman

LEWIS, Judge. Plaintiff Danco contests the denial of its motion under G.S. 1A-1, Rule 60(b). Rule 60(b)(6) is equitable in nature. Howell v. Howell, 321 N.C. 87, 91, 361 S.E.2d 585, 587 (1987). This section empowers the court with the authority to set aside or modify a final judgment, order or proceeding whenever such action is necessary to do justice under the circumstances. Id. A motion for relief under Rule 60(b) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and such a decision will be disturbed only for an abuse of discretion. Burwell v. Wilkerson, 30 N.C. App. 110, 226 S.E.2d 220 (1976); Harrington v. Harrington, 38 N.C. App. 610, 248 S.E.2d 460 (1978). In order for a judgment to be set aside, plaintiff must show that (1) extraordinary circumstances exist and that (2) justice demands it. Baylor v. Brown, 46 N.C. App. 664, 670, 266 S.E.2d 9, 13 (1980). We find that these criteria have been met. The plaintiff sued for $4,852.20. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff in the amount of $2,426.10 against defendant Daniel Seeman and a verdict for plaintiff in the amount of $2,426.10 against defendant Roberta Seeman. At the hearing on plaintiff’s Rule 60 motion, the plaintiff proffered the testimony of the foreman of the jury along with his affidavit and the affidavits of the other jurors which affirmed the fact that the jurors intended to award the plaintiff a total of $4,852.20. Indeed, the trial court at the hearing on the motion indicated that the issues and instructions given to the jury were designed to make it clear to the jury that they could not render a verdict for the total prayer, $4,852.20, against Mr. Seeman and then also award plaintiff the total prayer against Mrs. Seeman, resulting in double recovery of the contract price. Accordingly, the issues were presented to the jury in the following manner: ISSUE IV: Did the Plaintiff, Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO, render electrical services to the Defendant Daniel Seeman under such circumstances that the Defendant Daniel Seeman should be required to pay the Plaintiff, Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO? ANSWER: YES [770] ISSUE V: What amount is the Plaintiff, Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO, entitled to recover of the Defendant Daniel Seeman as damages for the electrical services which the Plaintiff, Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO, has rendered to the Defendant, Daniel Seeman? ANSWER: $2,426.10 ISSUE VI: Did the Plaintiff, Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO, render electrical services to the Defendant Roberta Seeman in such circumstances that the Defendant Roberta Seeman should be required to pay the Plaintiff, Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO? ANSWER: Yes ISSUE VII: What amount is the Plaintiff Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO, entitled to recover of the Defendant Roberta Seeman as damages for the electrical services which the Plaintiff, Dan Jorgensen d/b/a DANCO has rendered to the Defendant, Roberta Seeman? ANSWER: $2,426.10 Nowhere in these issues did the words “joint and several” appear. Nothing in the record indicates that the plaintiff ever consented to the' remittitur of one-half the verdict. It was an abuse of discretion by the trial court to unilaterally reduce plaintiffs jury verdict. See Pittman v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 79 N.C. App. 431, 339 S.E.2d 441, cert. denied, 316 N.C. 733, 345 S.E.2d 391 (1986) (trial courts have no authority to grant remittitur without the consent of the prevailing party). We reverse the denial of plaintiff’s Rule 60 motion and remand for entry of judgment for plaintiff for $2,426.10 against defendant Daniel Seeman and also judgment for plaintiff for $2,426.10 against defendant Roberta Seeman; total recovery against both defendants being $4,852.20. Vacated and remanded. Judges Phillips and Cozort concur.