M Civ JI 50.02 Elements of Damage - Pain and Suffering, Etc.

… the [ insert applicable element(s) ].

(a) *(physical pain and suffering)

(b) *(mental anguish)

(c) *(fright and shock)

(d) *(denial of social pleasure and enjoyments)

(e) *(embarrassment, humiliation or mortification)

Note on Use

*Insert the applicable element or elements of pain and suffering a–e in the blank provided. Other possible elements of pain and suffering may be inserted as appropriate.

The element or elements are then to be inserted in M Civ JI 50.01 when the evidence justifies their use. In order for material which relates to future pain and suffering to be included, there must be evidence from which it can be inferred that such pain and suffering is reasonably certain to be experienced in the future.

Comment

Pain and suffering are compensable elements of damage. Samuelson v Olson Transportation Co, 324 Mich 278; 36 NW2d 917 (1949); Beattie v Detroit, 137 Mich 319; 100 NW 574 (1904); Draper v Switous, 370 Mich 468; 122 NW2d 698 (1963); Brown v Arnold, 303 Mich 616; 6 NW2d 914 (1942).

Compensation may be allowed for future pain and suffering if reasonable certainty of such future pain and suffering is established. McDuffie v Root, 300 Mich 286; 1 NW2d 544 (1942); Motts v Michigan Cab Co, 274 Mich 437; 264 NW 855 (1936); Prince v Lott, 369 Mich 606; 120 NW2d 780 (1963).

If pain persists, the jury may be charged on the issue of future pain and suffering although there is no proof of permanent physical injury, Toman v Checker Cab Co, 306 Mich 87, 92; 10 NW2d 318, 320 (1943), and if pain persists, it is not error to charge the jury on future pain and suffering merely because there is no medical testimony that such would occur. Shinabarger v Phillips, 370 Mich 135, 142; 121 NW2d 693, 696 (1963).

If the facts justify it, the jury may be instructed to consider shame and mortification, mental pain, and anxiety which plaintiff suffered by reason of the injuries sustained. Beath v Rapid R Co, 119 Mich 512; 78 NW 537 (1899). Annoyance, discomfiture and humiliation related to the physical injury are also proper damage elements for the jury. Grenawalt v Nyphuis, 335 Mich 76; 55 NW2d 736 (1952); see also Decorte v New York Central R Co, 377 Mich 317, 330–331; 140 NW2d 479, 484 (1966); Manie v Matson Oldsmobile-Cadillac Co, 378 Mich 650; 148 NW2d 779 (1967); Ross v Leggett, 61 Mich 445; 28 NW 695 (1886). Denial of social pleasure and enjoyments are also proper damage elements if properly pleaded. See Beath.

Fright and shock are also proper damage elements for the jury to consider. Geveke v Grand Rapids & I R Co, 57 Mich 589; 24 NW 675 (1885); Sherwood v Chicago & W M R Co, 82 Mich 374; 46 NW 773 (1890).

History

M Civ JI 50.02 was SJI 30.02.