City of Ottawa v. Sweely

Citations

• 65 Ill. 434

Syllabus

<p>1. Damages, excessive—for personal injury through negligence of city. Vyhere the plaintiff received a fall upon the sidewalk, in consequence of the negligence of the city authorities in keeping the same in proper repair, causing the loss of the use of her arm, from a gradual wasting away of the muscles, attended with constant pain, a verdict for $3200 damages was held not excessive as compensation for the actual injury sustained.</p> <p>2. In cases of personal injuries arising from negligence in municipal corporations, the damages must be such as to afford compensation. They must he commensurate with the injury. For injuries to the person, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to fix any limit other than the character of the injury.</p> <p>3. Hew tbial—in cases of tort. Verdicts in cases of tort are not beyond the control of the courts; but they should be allowed to stand, unless they are grossly erroneous, or there is a palpable misconception of the testimony, or they are the plain result of passion or prejudice.</p>