ÿWPCö ² \·l¢ Kl ÚhÒyo’½A¶FN(ÍO¥!ºèk á¼ÁSÕ¥Ñų+ôìi‘`ÙZG´ËWV¬Ø1¶\ЮˆA­î'h0–ŽÄpT|Pne±UK=¡ô‰v|py{©7ôõ¬?¨xœ–ÙıYb6³áΤþ Þ •»ßªKf)¶Ñ‹MÊn˜ëQŠË¹­ 0˜\Æ:Î îjoìàè|û‡87²reñgU{©¤óú¾•üZ°]GŒC,Ü7ˆ½RÉOá Ë.r¸Ï4q.–, n;qæ yñÑDˆÖø`Ç FŸ¡¯§×®pÊåJ„¦/¸IQ?µ–½‹"= ·ÆÍkq†<»ªdŒ!+bÑ%MˆÛà™+jÒÏž"–‰îêR—ØÑYÊýz Ä+Í\%h¯ã¥ £½Þ5 u:¤ eê×i=6õ¶ÐȧD»s±„º‰ÁlÏÂÅͽèÕ_5‚ƒ‘ªúµ™<\í+¥°x7*# LUNW %¥ 0(«w@Ó4'UN6q„ 0 lõ 0 Da Þ¥ AQƒ ‡Ô û[ VU:Z”””N±4ÿ•333333333 BÈÆå 0D« 0Dï 0D33 D/ww B¦ D3ØHP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLlÎ(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ b c£defUgUhUiUjÓ€tkDJ&ÿÿÿÿ ÿÿÿÿ3|xt(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular gÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThere€is€a€factual€dispute€regarding€the€precise€manner€in€which€Schleicher€attempted€toÐ ° Ðexit€Dr.€Skinnerððs€office.€€Schleicher€testified€that,€when€she€stepped€through€the€doorway,€sheÏwas€facing€to€the€side€and€looking€at€the€frame€of€the€door.€€Schleicher€further€explained€that€sheÏwas€ð ðsidesteppingðð€through€the€door.€€During€a€recorded€telephone€conversation€with€anÏinvestigator€of€Founders€Security,€however,€Schleicher€stated€that€she€was€facing€the€hallway€andÏbacking€out€the€door€when€the€accident€occurred.((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ÔÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€Professional€Building€was€constructed€in€1978.€€At€the€time€of€its€construction,€theÐ ° ÐCity€of€Columbia€had€adopted€the€1976€edition€and€the€1977€revisions€of€the€Southern€StandardÏBuilding€Code.€€ò òòòSee€óóó óColumbia,€Tenn.,€Ordinance€1085,€1086€(Apr.€11,€1977)(amendingÐ à ÐColumbia,€Tenn.,€Building,€Utility€and€Housing€Codes€ðððð€4„101,€4„402€(1977)).!"#$&Cþÿ<< Cÿÿ }Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThelma€Schleicher€is€related€to€the€Plaintiff€by€marriage. ñÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝAfter€the€jury€rendered€its€verdict,€the€trial€judge€questioned€the€jurors€regarding€theÐ ° Ðmanner€in€which€the€jury€reached€its€decision.€€One€juror€explained€that€there€was€disagreementÏamong€the€jurors€regarding€whether€Schleicherððs€negligence€exceeded€the€negligence€ofÏFounders€Security.€€In€order€to€reach€a€unanimous€verdict,€the€jurors€compromised.€€The€juryÏfound€that€Schleicherððs€negligence€was€slightly€less€than€the€negligence€of€Founders€Security€butÏlimited€Schleicherððs€damages€to€the€amount€of€her€past€medical€expenses.€ÌÌà  àUnder€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Evidence,€we€are€not€permitted€to€consider€the€statementsÏof€a€juror€unless€they€relate€to€the€question€of€ð ðwhether€extraneous€prejudicial€information€wasÏimproperly€brought€to€the€juryððs€attention,€whether€any€outside€influence€was€improperly€broughtÏto€bear€upon€any€juror,€or€whether€the€jurors€agreed€in€advance€to€be€bound€by€a€quotient€orÏgambling€verdict.ðð€€T.R.E.€606(b).€€ò òòòSee€also€Goss€v.€Hutchinsóóó ó,€751€S.W.2d€821,€828€(Tenn.Ð P  Ð1988);€€ò òòòState€v.€Blackwellóóó ó,€664€S.W.2d€686,€688€(Tenn.€1984);€ò òòòTerry€v.€Plateau€Elec.€Coop.óóó ó,Ð ð@  Ð825€S.W.2d€418,€423€(Tenn.€App.€1991).€€A€quotient€or€gambling€verdict€is€one€reached€byÏaveraging€the€figures€suggested€by€each€member€of€the€jury.€€ò òòòSee,€e.g.,€Odom€v.€Grayóóó ó,€508Ð Ð  ÐS.W.2d€526,€532€(Tenn.€1974).€€In€the€instant€case,€there€is€no€allegation€that€the€jury€verdict€wasÏtainted€by€extraneous€information€or€outside€influence.€€Additionally,€there€is€no€allegation€thatÏthe€jurors€agreed€to€be€bound€by€a€quotient€or€gambling€verdict.€€Thus,€although€it€appears€thatÏthe€jury€may€have€improperly€failed€to€separate€the€issues€of€liability€and€damages,€we€mustÏnevertheless€disregard€this€information€when€considering€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€denyingÏSchleicherððs€motion€for€additur€or€new€trial. úÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X†E XXXÔÔ€¹(  XX†EÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X†E X ¹(ÔÐ  ÐÌFebruary€11,€1999ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝConstructive€notice,€as€opposed€to€actual€notice,€is€notice€that€is€imputed€to€a€party€byÐ ° Ðoperation€of€law.€€ò òòòSee€Blevins€v.€Johnson€Countyóóó ó,€746€S.W.2d€678,€682„83€(Tenn.€1988). DÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝSubsequent€to€the€filing€of€this€lawsuit,€the€Defendantððs€name€has€been€changed€toÐ ° Ðð ðModern€American€Life€Insurance€Company.ðð€€For€purposes€of€this€opinion,€we€will€continue€toÏrefer€to€the€Defendant€as€ð ðFounders€Security.ðð *Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝIn€fact,€counsel€for€Founders€Security€essentially€conceded€that€the€damages€claimed€byÐ ° ÐSchleicher€were€genuine€when,€during€opening€statements,€he€commented€to€the€jury€as€follows:ÌÌà8  à[T]here›€is€not€a€great€deal€of€dispute€about€the€damages.€€Clearly€the€lady€wasÏhurt,€broke€her€hip,€had€the€surgery,€was€in€the€hospital,€incurred€the€medicalÏexpenses,€will€have€to€have€it€again€more€than€likely€in€the€future.€€Thereððs€notÏmuch€question€about€œthat. ‹Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝSchleicher€notes€that€counsel€for€Founders€Security€made€the€following€statement€to€theÐ ° Ðtrial€judge:ÌÌà8  àThere€has€been€no€evidence€of€any€other€accident€at€this€area,€nothing€to€put€myÏclient€on€notice,€no€building€code€violations.€€Nothing€whatsoever€to€establish€thatÏthere€is€a€hazard€here.Ð Ð Ð  ÐÌThese€comments,€however,€were€made€during€argument€held€outside€of€the€presence€of€the€jury.€ÏThus,€they€may€not€be€relied€upon€by€Schleicher€in€support€of€her€contention€that€ð ðconstructiveÏnoticeðð€was€an€issue€in€the€instant€case. dƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd 'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ'°,X°À”X°œX'Óò òñtññjñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@Eȱ` 8ttxP°ð  rßñjññtññtñßt€ )>.*jxêÿÍ` `€€@E²}` 8ttxPêµð È tßñtñà@O O ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEE,€ˆÌà@áá$ìàAT€NASHVILLE€ó óˆÐ œì ÐÌà@. . ìà_______________________________________________________ˆÌÌà À à)Ìò òSHERRY€SCHLEICHERó ó,à À à)à  àMaury€County€Circuit€CourtÐ 8 ˆ Ðà À à)à  àNo.€6415Ð ( x Ѐ€€€€Plaintiff/Appellant.à À à)Ð  d Ðà À à)ÌVS.à À à)à  àC.A.€No.€01A01„9711„CV„00649Ð ì <  Ðà À à)Ìò òFOUNDERS€SECURITY€LIFEó óà À à)Ð Ä  Ðò òINSURANCE€CO.ó ó,à À à)Ð ´  Ðà À à)Ì€€€€€Defendant/Appellee.à À à)Ð à  Ðà À à)Ì______________________________________________________________________________ÌÌFrom€the€Circuit€Court€of€Maury€County€at€Columbia.Ìò òHonorable€Robert€L.€Jones,€Judge€ó óÐ ,| ÐÌÌÌò òJoe€F.€Gillespie,€Jr.ó ó,€Joelton,€TennesseeÐ Ü, ÐAttorney€for€Plaintiff/Appellant.ÌÌÌò òMark€S.€LeVanó ó,€COX,€LEVAN,€SPRADER€&€PATTON,€PLLC,€Nashville,€TennesseeÐ à ÐAttorney€for€Defendant/Appellee.ÌÌÌÌOPINION€FILED:ÌÌò òAFFIRMED€IN€PART,€REVERSED€IN€PART€AND€REMANDEDó óÐ %X # ÐÌÌà À àò òFARMER,€J.ó óÐ Ì'#& ÐÌò òHIGHERS,€J.ó ó:€(Concurs)Ð ¤)ô$( Ðò òTOMLIN,€Sp.€J.ó ó:€(Concurs)Ð ”*ä%) ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ 0;€6; Ðñaññ`ñÓ6°,X°` ¸ À”X°,X°À”X6Óñ`ññaññbññañÓ6°,X°` ‚XÀ”X°,X°À”X6ÓñaññbññbñÓ0°,X°` ˜X°,X°À”X0ÓñbññcñÓ  ÓñcññdñÓÓñdññeñòòò òÔ‡X†›XXXÔà ` àóóó óIn€this€premises€liability€action,€Plaintiff€Sherry€Schleicher€filed€a€complaint€againstÐ ° ÐDefendant€Founders€Security€Life€Insurance€Company€(Founders€Security),׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€seeking€damages€forÐ à Ðinjuries€incurred€as€a€result€of€a€fall€sustained€by€Schleicher€while€exiting€a€building€owned€byÏFounders€Security.€€Schleicherððs€complaint€sought€recovery€under€the€theories€of€common€lawÏnegligence€and€negligence€per€se.€€The€jury€returned€a€verdict€finding€that€Schleicher€was€forty„nineÏpercent€at€fault,€finding€that€Founders€Security€was€fifty„one€percent€at€fault,€and€assessingÏSchleicherððs€damages€at€$20,073.92.€€Both€parties€have€appeal.€€For€the€reasons€set€forth€below,€weÏuphold€the€juryððs€findings€regarding€the€relative€fault€of€the€parties.€€With€respect€to€the€juryððsÏassessment€of€damages,€however,€we€reverse€and€remand€to€the€trial€court€for€a€new€trial.ò òÐ ° ÐÌà@ÃÃìàòòFactual€and€Procedural€HistoryˆÐ pÀ ÐÌà ` àóóó óOn€February€22,€1994,€Schleicher€arrived€at€the€ð ðProfessional€Buildingðð€in€Columbia,Ð 0€ ÐTennessee€for€a€3:30€appointment€with€Dr.€Michael€Skinner,€her€periodontist.€€At€the€time€of€herÏarrival,€it€was€raining€and€there€was€low€visibility.€€Schleicher€parked€her€vehicle€and,€after€openingÏher€umbrella,€rushed€inside€the€Professional€Building€through€the€front€entrance.€€After€herÏappointment,€Schleicher€prepared€to€exit€through€this€same€doorway.€€She€noticed€that€Dr.€SkinnerÏand€an€assistant€were€pushing€some€medical€equipment€toward€the€exit€and€proceeded€to€hold€theÏdoor€open€for€them.€€Schleicher€then€stepped€through€the€doorway,€lost€her€balance,€and€fellÏbackwards€onto€the€ground,€injuring€her€hip.׃ T×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð P( #& ÐÌà ` àDr.€Skinner€drove€Schleicher€to€Maury€Regional€Hospital.€€Schleicher€receivedÏDemerol€injections€to€ease€her€pain€and€was€admitted€to€the€hospital.€€The€following€morning,ÏSchleicher€underwent€hip€replacement€surgery.€€She€was€discharged€nine€days€later€and€transportedÐ Ð/ +. Ðby€ambulance€to€her€home€in€Primm€Springs,€Tennessee.€€For€the€next€two€months,€Schleicher€wasÏessentially€confined€to€a€hospital€bed,€received€home€health€care,€and€was€required€to€use€a€bedsideÏcommode.€€She€was€initially€unable€to€walk€without€the€aid€of€others€but,€after€her€first€week€ofÏrecuperation€at€home,€she€was€able€to€walk€unassisted.ÌÌà ` àDuring€the€first€three€weeks€following€her€surgery,€Schleicher€was€placed€on€whatÏshe€described€as€ð ðstrong€pain€medication.ðð€€After€this€period,€however,€Schleicher€took€onlyÏIbuprofen€to€treat€her€pain.€€At€the€time€of€trial,€Schleicher€walked€with€an€occasional€limp,€requiringÏthe€assistance€of€a€cane.€€She€also€experienced€some€pain,€stiffness,€and€decreased€mobilityÏfollowing€her€hip€replacement€surgery.€€Dr.€Eslick€Daniel,€the€orthopedic€surgeon€who€treatedÏSchleicher€following€the€accident,€testified€that€Schleicher€will€likely€have€to€undergo€a€second€hipÏreplacement€surgery€at€some€point€in€the€future.€€The€costs€of€this€procedure€are€estimated€atÏ$29,150.00.€€Dr.€Daniel€further€testified€that,€as€a€result€of€Schleicherððs€hip€injury,€Schleicher€hasÏa€partial€permanent€impairment€rating€of€fifteen€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole€and€thirty„sevenÏpercent€to€the€right€leg.ÌÌà ` àOn€January€10,€1995,€Schleicher€filed€a€complaint€against€Founders€Security,€theÏowner€of€the€Professional€Building,€alleging€common€law€negligence€and€negligence€per€se.€€In€itsÏanswer,€Founders€Security€raised€comparative€fault€as€an€affirmative€defense.€€The€matter€came€toÏbe€heard€by€a€jury€on€July€29,€1997€and€July€30,€1997.€€At€the€conclusion€of€all€the€proof,€the€trialÏjudge€instructed€the€jury€that,€as€a€matter€of€law,€the€Professional€Building€was€not€in€violation€ofÏeither€section€1101€or€section€1102€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code.€€The€jury€found€thatÏFounders€Security€was€fifty„one€percent€at€fault€and€that€Schleicher€was€forty„nine€percent€at€fault.€ÏAdditionally,€the€jury€found€that€Schleicher€had€incurred€damages€totaling€$20,€073.92.€€Taking€intoÏaccount€the€juryððs€assessment€of€fault,€the€trial€judge€entered€an€order€granting€to€Schleicher€aÏjudgment€in€the€amount€of€$10,€237.70.€€Schleicher€filed€a€motion€for€additur€or€new€trial€andÏFounders€Security€filed€a€motion€for€judgment€notwithstanding€the€verdict.€€The€trial€judge€deniedÏboth€motions.€€Both€parties€have€appealed.€€ÌÌà@ìì'ìàòòò òIssuesˆÐ ;`6: Їóóó óà ` àThe€questions€presented€on€appeal,€as€we€perceive€them,€are€as€follows:Ð ° ÐÌÓÓà8 ` àà ¸ àI.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€denying€Schleicherððs€motion€forÏadditur€or€new€trial?Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8 ` àà ¸ àII.€€Should€the€trial€court€have€granted€a€directed€verdict€inÏfavor€of€Founders€Security€with€respect€to€Schleicherððs€claims€ofÏnegligence€per€se€based€on€alleged€violations€of€the€SouthernÏStandard€Building€Code?Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8 ` àà ¸ àIII.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€excluding€testimony€regardingÏthe€substance€of€amendments€to€section€1117.1(e)€of€the€SouthernÏStandard€Building€Code€made€after€the€construction€of€theÏProfessional€Building?Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8 ` àà ¸ àIV.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€excluding€testimony€regardingÏwhether€the€Professional€Building€was€in€compliance€with€theÏAmericans€with€Disabilities€Act?Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8 ` àà ¸ àV.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€charging€the€jury€regarding€ð ðopenÏand€obviousðð€conditions?Ð ` x` x ÐÌÌÌÓ$Óà@77ìàò òòòThe€Juryððs€Assessment€of€DamagesˆÐ ` ÐÌóóó óà ` àIn€personal€injury€cases,€the€amount€of€damages€to€be€awarded€is€left€primarily€withinÐ Ð  Ðthe€sound€discretion€of€the€jury.€€òòò òSee,€e.g.,€Transports,€Inc.€v.€Perryó óóó,€414€S.W.2d€1,€5€(Tenn.€1967);Ð °"  Ðòòò òHunter€v.€Burkeó óóó,€958€S.W.2d€751,€757€(Tenn.€App.€1997).€€There€is€no€mathematical€rule€orÐ $à" Ðformula€that€should€be€used€when€computing€damages.€€òòò òSee,€e.g.,€Brown€v.€Nullóóó ó,€863€S.W.2d€425,Ð p&À!$ Ð429„30€(Tenn.€App.€1993)(citing€òòò òSmith€v.€Bullingtonóóó ó,€499€S.W.2d€649,€661€(Tenn.€App.€1973)).€Ð P( #& ÐRather,€the€jury€is€guided€by€the€rule€that€the€injured€plaintiff€is€entitled€to€ð ðreasonable€compensationÏfor€bodily€injuries,€pain€and€suffering,€disability,€loss€of€earnings€and€expenses.ðð€€ò òòòBrownóóó ó,€863Ð ,`'* ÐS.W.2d€at€430.€€A€juryððs€assessment€of€damages,€once€approved€by€the€trial€judge,€is€entitled€to€aÏgreat€deal€of€weight€on€appeal.€€òòò òSee,€e.g.,€D.€M.€Rose€&€Co.€v.€Snyderóóó ó,€206€S.W.2d€897,€908€(Tenn.Ð Ð/ +. Ð1947);€ò òòòVan€Sickel€v.€Howardóóó ó,€882€S.W.2d€794,€795€(Tenn.€App.€1994).€€€In€reviewing€the€juryððsÐ °1-0 Ðfindings,€we€are€required€to€ð ðtake€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€all€the€evidence€to€uphold€theÏverdict,€to€assume€the€truth€of€all€that€tends€to€support€it,€to€discard€all€to€the€contrary,€and€to€allowÏall€reasonable€inferences€to€sustain€the€verdict.ðð€ò òòòSee€Poole€v.€Kroger€Co.ó óóó,€604€S.W.2d€52,€54€(Tenn.Ð P7 26 Ð1980)€(quoting€òòò òSouthern€Ry.€Co.€v.€Sloanó óóó,€407€S.W.2d€205,€209€(Tenn.€App.€1965)).€€When€a€partyÐ 09€48 Ðcomplains€that€the€amount€of€the€jury€verdict€is€inadequate,€we€must€examine€the€facts€andÐ ;`6: Ðcircumstances€of€the€case€and€determine€ð ðwhether€the€evidence€so€greatly€preponderates€against€theÏamount€awarded€as€to€show€passion,€prejudice€or€unaccountable€caprice.ðð€€ò òòòVan€Sickelóóó ó,€882€S.W.2dÐ à Ðat€795€(citing€òòò òBoard€of€Mayor€and€Aldermen€v.€Mooreó óóó,€232€S.W.2d€410,€413€(Tenn.€App.€1950);€Ð pÀ Ðòòò òKaras€v.€Thorneóóó ó,€531€S.W.2d€315,€317€(Tenn.€App.€1975)).€€If€there€is€any€material€evidence€in€theÐ P   Ðrecord€to€support€the€juryððs€assessment€of€damages,€the€verdict€must€be€affirmed.€€ò òòòSee€Pooleó óóó,€604Ð 0 € ÐS.W.2d€at€54„55€(citing€ò òòòSouthern€Ry.€Co.óóó ó,€407€S.W.2d€at€209);€€T.R.A.P.€13(d).Ð `  ÐÌà ` àIn€the€instant€case,€the€parties€stipulated€that,€as€a€result€of€the€accident,€SchleicherÏhad€incurred€medical€expenses€totaling€$20,073.92.€€When€Schleicher€arrived€at€the€hospitalÏimmediately€following€the€accident,€she€was€given€injections€of€Demerol€to€ease€her€pain.€ÏSchleicher€testified€that€she€experienced€pain€and€stiffness€following€her€hip€replacement€surgery.€ÏFor€the€first€three€weeks€following€the€surgery,€Schleicher€was€placed€on€what€she€described€asÏð ðstrong€pain€medication.ðð€€Later,€however,€Schleicher€took€only€Ibuprofen€to€treat€her€pain.€€Dr.ÏDaniel€testified€that€Schleicher€will€probably€have€to€undergo€a€second€hip€replacement€surgery€inÏthe€future.€€Dr.€Daniel€further€testified€that,€after€this€procedure,€Schleicher€will€likely€experienceÏpain€similar€to€the€pain€experienced€after€the€first€hip€replacement€surgery.€€The€estimated€cost€ofÏa€second€hip€replacement€surgery€is€$29,150.00.€€Dr.€Daniel€testified€that,€as€a€result€of€the€accident,ÏSchleicher€has€a€partial€permanent€impairment€of€fifteen€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole€and€thirty„¼seven€percent€to€the€right€leg.€€Schleicher€testified€that,€prior€to€the€accident,€she€enjoyed€manyÏphysical€activities€including€weight€training,€hiking,€horseback€riding,€and€yard€work.€€ThelmaÏSchleicher׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€testified€that€she€and€Schleicher€used€to€go€walking€and€bicycling€together€but€furtherÐ 0*€%( Ðstated€that€Schleicher€no€longer€has€the€stamina€to€engage€in€those€activities.€€Finally,€SchleicherÏtestified€that,€if€she€underwent€a€second€hip€replacement€surgery,€she€would€be€confined€to€her€houseÏand€unable€to€work€for€approximately€two€months.€€At€the€time€of€trial,€Schleicher€had€obtained€aÏdegree€in€nursing€and€was€preparing€to€take€an€examination€that€would€allow€her€to€practice€as€aÏnurse€in€the€state€of€Tennessee.€€Thelma€Schleicher,€who€is€also€a€nurse,€testified€that€the€averageÏwage€of€a€nurse€is€$16.00€to€$29.00€per€hour.ÌÌà ` àThe€jury€found€that€Schleicher€had€suffered€a€total€of€$20,073.92€in€damages€as€aÐ 09€48 Ðresult€of€the€accident.€€This€figure€is€equal€to€the€amount€of€Schleicherððs€stipulated€medical€expenses.€ÏSchleicher€argues€on€appeal€that€the€amount€of€the€jury€verdict€was€inadequate.€€Specifically,€sheÏcontends€that€the€jury€acted€with€ð ðbias,€passion,€and€capriceðð€in€apparently€disregarding€theÏaforementioned€testimony€concerning€her€past€and€future€pain€and€suffering,€future€medicalÏexpenses,€permanent€impairment,€loss€of€enjoyment€of€life,€and€future€lost€wages.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð 0 € ÐÌà ` àThe€damages€sought€by€Schleicher€for€future€pain€and€suffering,€future€medicalÏexpenses,€and€future€lost€wages€are€somewhat€speculative.€€Dr.€Daniel€testified€that€Schleicher€willÏð ðprobablyðð€be€required€to€undergo€a€second€surgery.€€Because€Dr.€Daniel€was€not€able€to€state€withÏcertainty€that€this€procedure€would€be€necessary,€the€jury,€in€its€discretion,€could€have€concluded€thatÏSchleicher€did€not€carry€her€burden€of€proof€with€respect€to€these€future€damages.€€Additionally,Ïthere€was€conflicting€evidence€regarding€Schleicherððs€permanent€impairment€and€loss€of€enjoymentÏof€life.€€Dr.€Daniel€testified€that€Schleicher€is€partially€disabled€as€a€result€of€the€accident.€€He€furtherÏstated,€however,€that€her€injuries€will€not€prevent€her€from€engaging€in€most€activities,€includingÏhorseback€riding€or€working€as€a€nurse.€€Although€Dr.€Daniel€testified€that€he€placed€no€physicalÏrestrictions€on€Schleicher€following€her€recovery,€he€noted€that€Schleicher€should€take€care€of€herÏhip€and€should€not€overdo€her€activities.€€Given€this€testimony,€the€jury€could€have€concluded€thatÏSchleicher€did€not€prove€that€she€is€permanently€impaired€or€that€she€has€suffered€a€loss€ofÏenjoyment€of€life€as€a€result€of€her€injuries.€€Ð p&À!$ Їà ` àIn€assessing€Schleicherððs€damages€at€$20,073.92,€the€exact€amount€of€her€stipulatedÏmedical€expenses,€the€jury€implicitly€found€that€Schleicher€did€not€experience€any€pain€and€sufferingÏas€a€result€of€her€injuries.€€As€discussed€above,€however,€there€is€substantial€evidence€in€the€recordÏestablishing€that€Schleicher€experienced€pain€and€suffering€following€the€accident€and€her€hipÏreplacement€surgery.€€In€cases€involving€subjective€symptoms,€which€physicians€are€unable€toÏclinically€corroborate,€the€jury€must€rely€heavily€on€the€credibility€of€the€injured€partyððs€testimony.€Ïòòò òSee€Buchanan€v.€Harrisóóó ó,€902€S.W.2d€941,€943€(Tenn.€App.€1995).€€Ms.€Schleicher€suffered€aÐ ð@  Ðfractured€hip€which€required€surgery.€€Founders€Security€made€no€attempt€to€refute€SchleicherððsÏtestimony€or€question€the€credibility€of€other€witnesses€who€offered€testimony€regarding€SchleicherððsÏpast€pain€and€suffering.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Rather,€Founders€Security€contends€that€Schleicher€is€not€entitled€toÐ à Ðrecover€damages€for€past€pain€and€suffering€because€her€pain€was€adequately€controlled€withÏmedication.€€Implicit€in€this€argument€is€an€admission€that€Schleicher€did,€in€fact,€experience€painÏand€suffering€as€a€result€of€the€accident.€€Taking€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€the€evidence€toÏuphold€the€verdict,€as€we€must€under€ò òòòPooleó óóó,€we€are€unable€to€find€any€material€evidence€in€the€recordÐ ` Ðto€support€the€juryððs€implicit€finding€that€Schleicher€did€not€experience€pain€and€suffering.€€Such€aÏfinding€can€only€be€explained€by€concluding€that,€in€the€instant€case,€the€jury€acted€with€ð ðpassion,Ïprejudice,€or€unaccountable€caprice.ðð€€ÌÌà ` àAccordingly,€we€find€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€Schleicherððs€motion€forÏadditur€or€new€trial.€€Appellate€courts€do€not€have€the€power€to€suggest€an€additur€after€the€trial€courtÏhas€refused€to€do€so.€€ò òòòSee€Cortazzo€v.€Blackburnó óóó,€912€S.W.2d€735,€745€(Tenn.€App.€1995);€òòò òStateÐ 0*€%( Ðex.€rel.€Shaw€v.€Shofneróóó ó,€573€S.W.2d€169,€174€(Tenn.€App.€1978);€€ò òòòLoftis€v.€Finchó óóó,€491€S.W.2dÐ ,`'* Ð370,€374€(Tenn.€App.€1972).€€We€are€permitted,€however,€to€reverse€the€jury€verdict€and€order€a€newÏtrial.€€òòò òSee€Loftisó óóó,€491€S.W.2d€at€374,€377.€€In€the€instant€case,€we€reverse€the€juryððs€assessment€ofÐ Ð/ +. Ðdamages€and€remand€to€the€trial€court€for€a€new€trial€on€the€issue€of€damages.ÌÐ 3à.2 Ðà@úú"ìàò òòòNegligence€Per€SeˆÐ ° ÐÌà ` àóóó ó€In€her€amended€complaint,€Schleicher€alleged€that€Founders€Security€is€liable€underÐ pÀ Ðthe€theory€of€negligence€per€se€because€the€Professional€Building€does€not€comply€with€threeÏsections€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€These€sections€provide€in€pertinent€part€asÐ 0 € Ðfollows:ÌÌÓÓà8 ` àò òSection€1101(b).ó ó€€Means€of€egress€shall€consist€of€continuous€andÐ Ð  Ðunobstructed€paths€of€travel€to€the€exterior€of€a€building€at€all€times.Ð ` x` x ÐÌà8 ` àò òSection€1102(a).ó ó€€Means€of€egress€is€a€continuous€path€of€travel€fromÐ  ð Ðany€point€in€a€building€or€a€structure€to€the€open€air€outside€at€groundÏlevel€and€[consists]€of€two€separate€and€distinct€parts:€(1)€the€exitÏaccess,€and€(2)€the€exit.€€A€means€of€egress€comprises€the€vertical€andÏhorizontal€means€of€travel€and€may€include€the€room€space,€doorway,Ïcorridor,€hallway,€passageway,€stairs,€ramp,€lobby,€fire€escape,Ïescalator,€and€other€paths€of€travel.Ð ` x` x ÐòòÌóóà8 ` àò òSection€1117.1(e).ó ó€€Exit€landings€shall€not€open€onto€a€flight€of€stairs.€Ð  p ÐA€landing€of€at€least€the€width€of€the€door€shall€be€provided.Ð ` x` x ÐÌÌÌÓKFÓS.€Standard€Bldg.€Code€ðððð€1101(b),€1102(a),€1117.1(e)€(1976€&€Supp.€1977).€€After€SchleicherÏpresented€her€case„in„chief,€Founders€Security€moved€for€a€directed€verdict.€€Although€the€trial€judgeÏdenied€the€motion€for€a€directed€verdict,€the€court€announced€to€counsel€that€he€ð ðwill€not€give€aÏnegligence,€per€se,€instruction€on€the€egress€provisions€of€the€code.ðð€€At€the€conclusion€of€all€theÏproof,€the€trial€judge€instructed€the€jury€that,€as€a€matter€of€law,€the€Professional€Building€did€notÏviolate€either€section€1101(b)€or€section€1102(a)€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code.€€The€trialÏjudge€further€instructed€the€jury€that€it€must€decide€whether€the€Professional€Building€was€inÏviolation€of€section€1117.1(e)€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code.€€On€appeal,€SchleicherÏargues€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€directing€a€verdict€with€respect€to€sections€1101(b)€and€1102(a).€ÏFounders€Security,€however,€complains€that,€in€addition€to€sections€1101(b)€and€1102(a),€the€trialÏjudge€should€have€also€directed€a€verdict€against€Schleicher€with€respect€to€her€negligence€per€seÏclaim€based€on€section€1117.1(e).Ð p5À04 Їà ` àWhen€ruling€on€a€motion€for€directed€verdict,€the€trial€judge€is€obligated€to€considerÏthe€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€party€opposing€the€motion,€drawing€all€reasonableÏinferences€from€the€evidence€in€favor€of€the€nonmoving€party€and€disregarding€all€countervailingÏevidence.€€ò òòòSee,€e.g.,€Tschira€v.€Willinghamóóó ó,€135€F.3d€1077,€1087€(6th€Cir.€1998);€ò òòòConatser€v.Ð P   ÐClarksville€Coca„Cola€Bottling€Co.óóó ó,€920€S.W.2d€646,€647€(Tenn.€1995).€€A€directed€verdict€may€beÐ 0 € Ðgranted€if,€under€the€undisputed€facts€of€the€case,€reasonable€minds€could€draw€only€one€conclusion.€Ïòòò òSee,€e.g.,€Eaton€v.€McLainóóó ó,€891€S.W.2d€587,€590€(Tenn.€1994).€€If€there€are€any€material€facts€inÐ ð@  Ðdispute€or€if€there€is€any€doubt€regarding€the€conclusion€to€be€drawn€from€the€evidence,€the€motionÏmust€be€denied.€€ò òòòSee,€e.g.,€Bland€v.€Allstate€Ins.€Co.ó óóó,€944€S.W.2d€372,€374€(Tenn.€App.€1996).€ò òÐ ° ÐÌà ` àó óThere€is€no€dispute€in€the€instant€case€regarding€the€physical€characteristics€of€theÐ pÀ Ðfront€entrance€to€the€Professional€Building,€the€location€where€Schleicherððs€accident€occurred.€€TheÏentrance€consists€of€two€glass€doors€and€an€outside€porch€area.€€The€porch€area,€which€isÏimmediately€outside€the€doorway,€is€approximately€seven€inches€lower€than€the€floor€inside€theÏbuilding€and€is€at€least€as€wide€as€the€width€of€the€doorway.€€Consequently,€a€person€who€is€exitingÏthe€Professional€Building€must€step€down€when€going€through€the€doorway.€€ÌÌà ` àIt€is€well€settled€that€compliance€or€noncompliance€with€a€statute€is€a€question€of€law.€Ïò òòòSee,€e.g.,€Browder€v.€Morrisó óóó,€975€S.W.2d€308,€311€(Tenn.€1998)(citing€ò òòòMyint€v.€Allstate€Ins.€Co.óóó ó,Ð p&À!$ Ð970€S.W.2d€920,€924€(Tenn.€1998)).€€We€think€that€this€rule€also€applies€to€the€question€of€whetherÏa€building€is€in€violation€of€a€code€provision€that€has€been€adopted€by€city€ordinance.€€Where,€as€inÏthe€instant€case,€the€parties€are€in€agreement€regarding€the€physical€characteristics€of€the€building,Ïit€is€for€the€trial€court,€not€the€jury,€to€determine€whether€the€structure€is€in€compliance€with€theÏapplicable€building€code€provisions.€€ò òòòSee€Dempsey€v.€Correct€Mfg.€Corp.óóó ó,€755€S.W.2d€798,€806Ð Ð/ +. Ð(Tenn.€App.€1988).€€In€construing€these€provisions,€we€must€attempt€to€ascertain€and€give€effect€toÏthe€intent€of€the€drafters€of€the€code,€looking€primarily€to€the€natural€and€ordinary€meaning€of€theÏwords€used.€€ò òòòSee,€e.g.,€Browderó óóó,€975€S.W.2d€at€311.€€Because€the€application€of€code€provisions€isÐ p5À04 Ða€question€of€law,€our€review€the€trial€courtððs€ruling€with€respect€to€sections€1101(b),€1102(a),€andÏ1117.1(e)€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code€is€ò òòòde€novo€óóó ówith€no€presumption€of€correctness.€Ð 09€48 Ðò òòòSee€id.óóó óÐ ;`6: Їà ` àThe€Southern€Standard€Building€Code€requires€that€buildings€have€ð ðmeans€of€egress.ðð€ÏSection€1101(b)€defines€ð ðmeans€of€egressðð€as€ð ðcontinuous€and€unobstructed€paths€of€travel€to€theÏexterior€of€a€building.ðð€S.€Standard€Bldg.€Code€ðð€1101(b)€(1976€&€Supp.€1977).€€Section€1102(a)Ïprovides€examples€of€paths€of€travel€that€may€be€classified€as€a€ð ðmeans€of€egress.ðð€€ò òòòSee€óóó óS.€StandardÐ P   ÐBldg.€Code€ðð€1102(a)€(1976€&€Supp.€1977).€€Harold€Switzer,€an€architect€who€testified€as€an€expertÏwitness€for€Schleicher,€stated€that,€because€there€was€a€drop„off€immediately€outside€the€exit€doors,Ïthe€path€of€travel€to€the€exterior€of€the€Professional€Building€was€not€ð ðcontinuous€and€unobstructed.ðð€ÏWe€find,€however,€that€this€conclusion€is€inconsistent€with€the€plain€language€of€section€1101(b).€ÏSection€1101(b)€requires€only€that€there€be€an€unobstructed€path€to€the€exterior€of€the€building.€€InÏthe€instant€case,€the€seven€inch€drop„off€that€Switzer€refers€to€as€an€obstruction€is€on€the€outside€ofÏthe€doorway.€€Any€obstruction€that€is€outside€of€the€doorway€cannot€be€within€the€path€to€the€exteriorÏof€the€building.€€Although€Schleicher€has€alleged€that€there€was€an€obstruction€outside€theÏProfessional€Building,€she€has€not€alleged€that€the€path€to€the€exterior€of€the€Professional€BuildingÏwas€obstructed.€€Thus,€under€the€undisputed€facts€of€this€case,€we€find€no€violation€of€sectionsÏ1101(b)€or€1102(a)€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code.ÌÌà ` àSection€1117.1(e)€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code€provides€that€ð ð[e]xitÏlandings€shall€not€open€onto€a€flight€of€stairs.€.€.€.ðð€€Switzer€testified€that,€in€his€opinion,€theÏProfessional€Building€did€not€comply€with€this€provision€because€there€was€a€step€immediatelyÏoutside€the€doorway€to€the€building.€€Switzer€subsequently€admitted,€however,€that€this€drop„off€orÏsingle€step€was€not€the€same€thing€as€a€flight€of€stairs.€€James€Edwards,€an€architect€who€testifiedÏas€an€expert€witness€for€Founders€Security,€confirmed€that€the€exit€doors€of€the€Professional€BuildingÏdid€not€open€onto€a€flight€of€stairs.€€Section€1117.1(e)€specifically€refers€to€a€ð ðflight€of€stairs.ðð€€ThisÏprovision€does€not€state€that€a€landing€may€not€open€directly€onto€a€drop„off€or€single€step.€€Thus,Ïbecause€it€is€undisputed€that€the€exit€landing€of€the€Professional€Building€did€not€open€onto€a€flightÏof€stairs,€we€also€find€no€violation€of€section€1117.1(e)€of€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code.ÌÌà ` àIn€1979,€section€1117.1(e)€was€amended€and€now€reads€as€follows:ÌÌÓÓà8 ` àà ¸ àExit€doorways€shall€not€open€immediately€upon€a€flight€ofÏstairs.€€A€landing€of€at€least€the€width€of€door€shall€be€provided,Ð