Opinion ID: 1888053
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Trial Judge's Damages Award

Text: The trial judge modified his previous bench ruling by adding an in personam judgment against Elboim and Esham for $152,434.54. That amount consists of $71,466.83 for Bella Via's share of the costs associated with the Wilmington Trust letters of credit and $80,967.71 for Bella Via's share of Obrecht's management fees. Reserves argues that the damages award is inadequate. Particularly, Reserves argues that the damages award should have included 42.25% of the $2,216,233 that it paid in cash for the letters of credit, or $936,358. Reserves' view ignores the parties' post trial stipulation. In the stipulation, the parties agreed that Reserves paid $191,639.54 in bonding costs and fees, and $80,967.71 of that constituted Bella Via's share. Reserves also fails to support its contention that Bella Via promised to pay $936,358, or nearly two-thirds of their entire construction trust, to obtain a bond an action never taken. The trial judge justifiably relied on the post trial stipulation to determine the actual damages.