Beagle v. Vasold
Supreme Court of California
417 P.2d 673 (1966)
Relevant factsFree
Carl Beagle (plaintiff) and two other passengers were badly hurt when a car driven by Kenneth Vasold went off an embankment; Kenneth died in the crash. Beagle sued Kenneth's representative and others (defendants) for about $61,000. The trial court barred Beagle's attorney from suggesting a value for his pain-and-suffering damages, either as a lump sum or a per-diem figure, reasoning the jury might mistake the suggested numbers for evidence. The jury awarded Beagle only $1,719.48, and Beagle appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a plaintiff's counsel may represent to the jury the value of ongoing pain-and-suffering damages as a lump sum or a per-diem amount.