Opinion ID: 1989929
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Were the jury's awards for tortious interference and civil conspiracy supported by the evidence?

Text: Deere first contends that the jury's awards of damages concerning Revere's claims for tortious interference with contract and civil conspiracy were not supported by the evidence. 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), and will not disturb an award of damages on appeal that is within the range of evidence presented, Hawkeye Motors, Inc., v. McDowell, 541 N.W.2d 914, 918 (Iowa App.1995). Upon our review, we conclude that substantial evidence exists to support the jury's awards of damages for tortious interference with contract and civil conspiracy. Both parties called witnesses who testified concerning Revere's alleged lost profits as a result of Deere's decision to terminate its contract with Revere and instead utilize the D E Sensor device. Not surprisingly, the experts did not agree on the amount or method of computing lost profits. Lost profits was the only measure of damages submitted to the jury as to each of Revere's claims. We believe that any question regarding the proper amount of damages related more to the weight of the evidence, rather than lack of proof. It was the jury's responsibility to assess damages for lost profits and it did so. See Sallis v. Lamansky, 420 N.W.2d 795, 799 (Iowa 1988) (fixing amount of damages is function for the jury). Revere's evidence showed over $800,000 in lost profits, while Deere's expert witness testified that Revere only sustained lost profits in the range of $50,000 to $70,000. The jury's damages award is supported by and was within the range of the evidence presented.