Poppe v. Siefker

NATURE OF CASE

Heather A. Poppe was killed in an automobile accident when her car was struck by a car driven by Robin F. Siefker. Barbara L. Poppe, as personal representative of Heather’s estate, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Siefker. The only issue tried to the jury was the extent of the damages. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the estate for a total sum of $46,925.60. Following the trial, the court staff found in the jury deliberation room a “Personal Financial Slide-Calculator” and an inflation rate written on a “Post-it” note. The estate filed a motion for a new trial,…