Opinion ID: 2226740
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Were the damages awarded by the jury excessive?

Text: The jury awarded MPC a verdict for $35,000 compensatory and $10,000 punitive damages on count I, and $1000 compensatory and $1000 punitive damages on count II. EFCO contends these awards were not supported by competent or substantial evidence, were excessive, and were the result of passion and prejudice. Trial court granted EFCO's motion for remittitur and pared the compensatory damages on count I to $17,644. MPC filed the remittitur. Because EFCO has appealed in this new trial-remittitur situation, the original judgment is reinstated. Larsen v. United Federal Savings and Loan Association, 300 N.W.2d 281, 288 (Iowa 1981); Iowa R.Civ.P. 250. Thus we review the sufficiency of evidence to support the original verdicts. We have recognized a distinction between proof of the fact that damages have been sustained and proof of the amount of those damages. If it is speculative and uncertain whether damages have been sustained, recovery is denied. Patterson v. Patterson, 189 N.W.2d 601, 605 (Iowa 1971). If uncertainty lies only in the amount of damages, recovery may be had if there is a reasonable basis in the evidence from which the amount can be inferred or approximated. Larsen, 300 N.W.2d at 288. Trial court apparently arrived at the maximum compensatory damages on count I by adding the difference between the Sturm and the Des Moines Cold Storage sales to the $3500 damages MPC paid Sturm and the $3495 it paid the Sturm sale realtor. Although MPC attempted to produce some evidence it was damaged in its subsequent operations by Jennings' reckless statements, this proof fell far short of supporting a finding of further damages. We find the difficulties EFCO's unwarranted actions caused MPC, which foundationed count II, supported a compensatory award of at least $1000. The punitive damages were justified on the basis of Jennings' malicious, reckless and wanton conduct and statements, and were well within the range of reasonableness. We agree with trial court there was insufficient evidence to justify a verdict in excess of $17,644 as compensatory damages on count I. We therefore exercise our inherent right to order a remittitur. See id. at 289; Miller v. Young, 168 N.W.2d 45, 53 (Iowa 1969). If MPC shall file in this proceeding in district court a consent to remit all actual damages returned under count I over and above the sum of $17,644, within 30 days from the filing of this opinion, the district court judgment appealed from shall stand and shall draw interest at the statutory rates from the date of entry. If the consent to remit is not so filed, a new trial is hereby ordered.