Opinion ID: 2209899
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the district court award plaintiffs a proper amount of damages?

Text: On their cross-appeal, plaintiffs assert that the district court erred with respect to its award of damages. The determination of the amount of damages in a bench trial ordinarily lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. Hawkeye Motors, Inc. v. McDowell, 541 N.W.2d 914, 917 (Iowa App.1995). We will not set aside or alter a judgment regarding damages unless it is (1) flagrantly excessive or inadequate, or (2) shocks the conscience or sense of justice, or (3) raises a presumption it is the result of passion, prejudice or other ulterior motive, or (4) lacks evidential support.  Claus v. Whyle, 526 N.W.2d 519, 525 (Iowa 1994). In reviewing damage awards, we consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Id. We thus will uphold an award of damages so long as the record discloses a reasonable basis from which the award can be inferred or approximated. Westway Trading Corp. v. River Terminal Corp., 314 N.W.2d 398, 403 (Iowa 1982). Upon our review, and without unduly extending this opinion, we believe that a reasonable basis exists to support the district court's award of damages of $74,465.64 to plaintiff Laura and $5000 to plaintiff Robert and that the award was within the range of the evidence presented. The district court awarded plaintiffs damages on several elements of their claims, but not in the amounts requested by plaintiffs.