O'Gee v. Dobbs Houses, Inc.
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
570 F.2d 1084 (1978)
United Airlines flight attendant Kathleen O'Gee (plaintiff) injured her back while latching a buffet that Dobbs Houses (defendant) had negligently failed to secure properly, suffering a year of significant pain, extended bedridden periods, and eventual back surgery, after which United reassigned her to smaller aircraft, a role in which she performed with distinction and earned perfect attendance recognition in subsequent years. O'Gee sued for negligence and, after a seven-day trial, the jury awarded her $170,000; the trial judge denied Dobbs Houses' challenge to the award, indicating any verdict up to $200,000 would be sustained, and Dobbs Houses appealed the damages amount.
Whether an appellate court may review and reduce a jury's damages award as excessive where the plaintiff's claimed economic losses were modest and her professional recovery was largely successful.