Opinion ID: 2363683
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Post-Verdict Setoff Proceedings

Text: Ferrellgas filed a post-verdict motion to set off the $212,071.94 that Farmers paid Yeiser and her contractors. In response, Yeiser argued that Ferrellgas was only entitled to set off the $172,657.55 that Ferrellgas paid Farmers to settle Farmers's subrogation claim. The trial court granted the motion, ordering setoff of the $212,071.94 amount. Accordingly, the court entered judgment for Yeiser for $102,251.27the $314,323.21 verdict amount minus the $212,071.94 amount. Because the amount of the judgment was less than Ferrellgas's rejected $197,000 settlement offer, the court awarded Ferrellgas $30,841.62 in costs. The trial court neglected to consider the issue of pre- or post-judgment interest, and Yeiser appealed that issue to the court of appeals. The court of appeals remanded the case back to the trial court to determine interest and amend the judgment. Over Ferrellgas's objection, the trial court amended the judgment to include pre-judgment interest. The court added interest on the full verdict amount of $314,323.21 for the 366-day period between when Yeiser's house was damaged and when Ferrellgas paid Farmers pursuant to the subrogation settlement, for a running total of $339,543.46. Then, the court set off the $212,071.94 that Farmers paid Yeiser and her contractors, for a running total of $127,471.52. Next, the trial court added interest for the several years that had elapsed between Ferrellgas paying Farmers and the court's order of costs, reaching a running total of $176,654.47. Finally, the court deducted Ferrellgas's $30,841.62 cost award, for a final sum of $145,812.85. The court denied Ferrellgas any interest on its cost award and Yeiser any post-judgment interest.