Opinion ID: 1590463
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Other issues raised on appeal by Bantz.

Text: Bantz also raises various issues regarding Kiesau's claim of invasion of privacy. The district court submitted Kiesau's invasion of privacy claim based on Bantz's publication of the altered photograph, which put Kiesau in a false light. An invasion of privacy claim involving placing a person in false light occurs when [o]ne who gives publicity to a matter concerning another that places the other before the public in a false light is subject to liability to the other for invasion of his privacy, if (1) the false light in which the other was placed would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, and (2) the actor had knowledge of or acted in reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter and the false light in which the other would be placed. Winegard v. Larsen, 260 N.W.2d 816, 823 (Iowa 1977). At trial, the evidence used to support Kiesau's defamation claim was the same evidence used to support her invasion of privacy claim. The jury answered the special interrogatory finding in Kiesau's favor on her invasion of privacy claim. Having determined the district court properly instructed the jury on the defamation claim and substantial evidence supported the findings of defamation, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, we need not address any issues raised involving Kiesau's invasion of privacy claim. The district court instructed the jury to determine Kiesau's damages for the injuries she suffered due to Bantz's defamation and invasion of privacy. The factual basis used to establish Kiesau's defamation claim and the damages caused by the defamation is the same factual basis used to establish her invasion of privacy claim and the damages caused by the invasion of privacy. Although the defamation claim allowed Kiesau to recover general damages and damages for loss of reputation, elements of damages not compensable under an invasion of privacy claim, all the other damages awarded by the jury on the defamation claim were the same damages she was entitled to recover under her invasion of privacy claim. Thus, even if we were to reverse the invasion of privacy claim, Kiesau would still be entitled to the damages awarded by the jury for her defamation claim.