Opinion ID: 1839358
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: prejudgment simple interest

Text: Where the amount of a claim is liquidated, compensation in the form of prejudgment interest is allowed as a matter of right. A claim is liquidated if the evidence furnishes data which, if believed, makes it possible to compute the amount with exactness, without reliance upon opinion or discretion. Examples are claims upon promises to pay a fixed sum, claims for money had and received, claims for money paid out, and claims for goods or services to be paid for at an agreed rate. McCormick, Damages, c. 7, s. 54, p. 213 (1935). See, also, s. 45-104, R.R.S.1943; Mid States Engineering v. Rhode, 182 Neb. 590, 156 N.W.2d 149 (1968). In the present case the value of all property in the estate for inheritance and estate taxation was determined prior to final distribution. Arthur and Ethel were legal representatives of the estate. Those data were sufficient for the court properly to conclude that the claim of Arthur was liquidated. The allowance of prejudgment interest was correct. See generally Oleck, Damages to Persons and Property, ss. 300 and 301, pp. 641 to 651 (1961).