New Opinion on Sudden Emergency and Loss of Consciousness: Trial Court's Jury Instructions Held Not to Be Error on Appeal

The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently issued its opinion in Boshears v. Brooks, No. E2015-01915-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Jul. 6, 2016).  The syllabus from the slip opinion states as follows:

This appeal arises from a negligence case brought after an automobile accident. James Boshears (“Boshears”) was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his girlfriend that was struck by a vehicle driven by Cleave C. Brooks (“Brooks”). Boshears sued Brooks in the Circuit Court for Anderson County (“the Trial Court”). Boshears alleged that Brooks was negligent in operating his vehicle. Brooks asserted that he suffered a stroke immediately prior to the accident, that he lost consciousness, and that, consequently, he could not be found negligent. The case was tried to a jury. The jury found that Brooks was not at fault. Boshears appealed to this Court. On appeal, Boshears argues that the Trial Court erred in charging the jury with sudden emergency when comparative fault was not raised by Brooks. Boshears also asserts that the Trial Court erred in charging the jury on both sudden emergency and loss of consciousness. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.

Here is a link to the opinion:

http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/boshearsjopn.pdf