COA 374346 VELA TRANSPORT LLC V SCOTT FORREST Opinion - Per Curiam - Unpublished 7/14/2026

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.
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S T A T E O F M I C H I G A N
C O U R T O F A P P E A L S
VELA TRANSPORT, LLC,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
UNPUBLISHED
July 14, 2026
2:36 PM
v No. 374346
Kent Circuit Court
SCOTT FORREST, LC No. 18-009928-CB
Defendant-Appellee.
Before: RICK, P.J., and MURRAY and BORRELLO, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Plaintiff, Vela Transport, LLC, appeals as of right from a final judgment entered by the
trial court following a jury verdict awarding plaintiff $22,575.09 in damages. Although the jury
rendered a verdict in plaintiff’s favor, the trial court’s final judgment did not incorporate the jury’s
award to plaintiff. Plaintiff contends on appeal that the trial court erred as a matter of law by
failing to enter judgment consistent with the jury verdict, in contravention of Michigan law and
public policy. For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we conclude that this appeal is moot and
therefore must be dismissed.
Pursuant to MCR 2.515(B), a trial court is required to enter judgment in accordance with
the jury’s findings. See also MCL 600.309a(1), (2). These authorities codify the fundamental
principle that a trial court’s judgment must reflect and give effect to the factual determinations
rendered by the jury. Thus, where a jury has determined liability and damages, the court is
generally obligated to enter judgment accordingly.
As a threshold matter, Michigan courts are empowered to decide only actual cases and
controversies. See Can IV Packard Square v Packard Square, LLC, 328 Mich App 656, 661; 939
NW2d 454 (2019). The doctrine of mootness precludes this Court from deciding issues where
subsequent events have rendered it impossible to grant effective relief, or where a judgment would
lack any practical legal effect. See CD Barnes Assoc, Inc v Star Heaven, LLC, 300 Mich App 389,
406; 834 NW2d 878 (2013); Gen Motors Corp v Dep’t of Treasury, 290 Mich App 355, 386; 803

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NW2d 698 (2010). Generally, this Court will dismiss appeals as moot without reaching the merits.
Gleason v Kincaid, 323 Mich App 308, 315; 917 NW2d 685 (2018).
Here, after plaintiff filed its claim of appeal, it moved for peremptory reversal, asserting
that the trial court’s judgment failed to reflect the jury’s verdict. This Court subsequently issued
an order of limited remand, instructing the trial court to reconsider plaintiff’s motion to correct the
judgment.1 On remand, the trial court entered an amended judgment on October 3, 2025, which
offset plaintiff’s $22,575.09 jury award against defendant’s $36,000 award, thereby complying
with the applicable law and court rules. Because the trial court has already granted plaintiff the
relief sought on appeal, there is no longer an existing controversy, and dismissal is required on
grounds of mootness. See Gen Motors Corp, 290 Mich App at 386.
Dismissed. No costs are awarded. MCR 7.219(A).
/s/ Michelle M. Rick
/s/ Christopher M. Murray
/s/ Stephen L. Borrello
1 Vela Transport, LLC v Forrest, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered September
8, 2025 (Docket No. 374346).

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