In a May 1996 car accident, the 40-year-old plaintiff, a per diem nurse's aide, sustained four herniated discs that are permanent and painful. Under the circumstances, the awards for past and future pain and suffering, as reduced by the trial court, are inadequate, and we accordingly modify as indicated above (cf., Skow v. Jones, Lang Wooton Corp., 240 A.D.2d 194, lv denied 94 N.Y.2d 758). The award for future medical expenses, as reduced, is in accord with the weight of the evidence and does not deviate materially from what is reasonable compensation under these circumstances (cf., Mangiafridda v. Mahyedin, 248 A.D.2d 200). We have considered the parties' arguments concerning other aspects of the award, including the trial court's implicit calculation of future lost earnings on the basis that plaintiff would have become a full-time employee but would not have become a licensed practical nurse, and find them unavailing.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.