Sets the level of deference given by the appellate division to the jury's fact finding

This bill (A 9552) changes how appellate courts review jury awards in civil cases involving damages. It requires appellate courts to give the highest level of deference to a jury's factual findings, including their assessment of damages, meaning courts will rarely overturn such awards. The key provision states that a damage award can only be deemed excessive or inadequate if the party challenging it proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that the verdict was so unreasonable it "shocks the conscience" and could not have been reached by any reasonable jury. This directly affects plaintiffs and defendants in civil lawsuits where juries determine monetary damages, making it harder for appeals to change those awards. The law takes effect immediately and applies to all cases filed on or after that date.