Opinion ID: 1973264
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Bills of Costs.

Text: The district court approved and entered judgment for two bills of costs that contained items not recoverable as costs or witness fees under Iowa law. We vacate these cost awards. On remand, the taxation of costs shall be limited to those costs taxed by the clerk, witness fees as provided in Iowa Code section 622.69 (2003), expert-witness fees as provided in Iowa Code section 625.14, and the costs of depositions entered into evidence at the trial of the case. This disposition is not intended to preclude the recovery of some of the items contained in the bills of costs as necessary litigation expenses under Talen's fee agreement with his attorneys. The extent to which any item contained in the bills of costs may fall within that category of litigation expenses must be determined by the district court on remand. We have considered all issues presented and conclude that the judgment of the district court should be reversed with respect to defendant Employers and the case remanded for entry of judgment dismissing plaintiffs' petition against that defendant. The judgment in favor of Talen against defendant Minnesota Fire for indemnification in the sum of $375,000 is affirmed. The attorney-fee and cost judgments entered by the district court are vacated and those matters are remanded for further proceedings in conformance with this opinion. Costs of appeal are taxed sixty-five percent to plaintiffs and thirty-five percent to defendant Minnesota Fire. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; AND REMANDED.