Opinion ID: 751579
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Post-verdict, Pre-judgment Interest

Text: 53 In its cross-appeal (No. 97-1397), Stockmen's asserts a right to post-verdict, pre-judgment interest on the punitive damage award. In this case, the jury returned its verdict on June 19, 1995. However, the district court did not enter judgment on the jury verdict for 299 days, until April 23, 1996. 54 Stockmen's seeks interest on the punitive damages for this period. Stockmen's bases its claim on state law, asserting that the amount of punitive damages became known on June 29, 1995 and that known amounts should bear interest. See S.D. Codified Law § 15-16-3 (Michie 1984) (When a judgment is for the recovery of money, interest from the time of the verdict or decision until judgment be finally entered must be added to the judgment of the party entitled thereto.). 55 The district court, however, applied section 21-1-13.1 of the South Dakota Codified Law, which states, [p]rejudgment interest is not recoverable on ... punitive damages.... See S.D. Codified Law § 21-1-13.1 (Michie 1987 & Supp.1997). Stockmen's has shown no error in applying this specific statutory direction to punitive damages. We reject Stockmen's' appeal on this issue.