Ma v. Russell

The question on this appeal is whether the damages awarded by the jury were so excessive as unmistakably to indicate that the amount of the verdict must have been the result of passion or prejudice. The trial court reduced a verdict of $49,500 to $30,000, granting in the alternative a new trial. The plaintiff Christine Chui, in whose favor this verdict was rendered, has appealed, contending it was justified upon the evidence.

The applicable statute is RCW 4.76.030, which provides:

If the trial court shall, upon a motion for new trial find the damages awarded by a jury to be so excessive or…