Opinion ID: 1251327
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Bad Faith, Fraud, and Conspiracy Claims.

Text: Dolan alleges he has bad faith, fraud, and conspiracy claims against State Farm through Olson. The trial court found Dolan had failed to sustain his burden of proof on these claims. Moreover, when the trial court following a bench trial has denied recovery because a party failed to sustain its burden of proof on an issue, we will not interfere with the trial court's judgment unless we find the party has carried its burden of proof as a matter of law. We will conclude a party has carried such a burden only when the evidence is so overwhelming that only one reasonable inference on each critical fact issue can be drawn. We are not bound, however, by the trial court's application of legal principles or its conclusions of law. When the trial court has applied erroneous rules of law which materially affected its decision, we will reverse. Falczynski, 533 N.W.2d at 230 (citations omitted). We find the trial court ruling is supported by substantial evidence and affirm the denial of the claims. State Farm's actions, actual or alleged, caused no damage to Olson. Olson is not and cannot be held responsible for payment of Dolan's judgment. Because Olson has no claim against State Farm, Dolan has no claim through Olson. DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS AND RULING OF DISTRICT COURT AFFIRMED.