Opinion ID: 1786995
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Damages for Loss of a Key Employee.

Text: In the district court, Gosch presented evidence the collision that precipitated this litigation occurred during his peak rock-hauling season. He contended that he was unable to hire a replacement driver for Berens and sustained a substantial loss of income as a result of Berens' death. Gosch urges the trial court erred in failing to allow the jury to consider consequential damages based on these circumstances. We are satisfied that the district court acted correctly on this claim and was properly affirmed by the court of appeals. In Anderson Plasterers v. Meinecke, 543 N.W.2d 612 (Iowa 1996), we relied on Restatement (Second) of Torts section 766C (1979) and concluded that employers may not claim damages for the loss of an injured employee's time or the expense of hiring a replacement worker. Anderson Plasterers, 543 N.W.2d at 613-14. We think that this principle also precludes an award of damages for loss of income to a business as a result of the absence of an injured employee. The district court correctly denied this element of recovery.