Opinion ID: 1862465
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: instructions on damages

Text: The Warwicks complain (Assignment VI in Appellant's Brief) of Instruction P-33: INSTRUCTION P-33 Should your verdict be for the Plaintiff, you must consider the following factors in determining the amount of damages to be awarded as may be shown by a preponderance of the evidence: 1. The value of Cecil Matheney's stock on July 17, 1985 had the Defendants purchased stock in Matheney Ford, Inc. pursuant to the contract on June 4, 1985. 2. Actual damages suffered by Cecil B. Matheney. This instruction is incomplete, because it should have informed the jury in what manner it was to arrive at the damages. This missing ingredient, however, is fully satisfied by Instruction D-7 granted the Warwicks: INSTRUCTION D-7 Before Matheney is entitled to recover any damages against the Warwicks, he must prove to you by a preponderance of the evidence that the Warwicks breached their contract with him. If Matheney proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the Warwicks breached the contract with him, Matheney's damages, if any, shall be determined as follows: 1. The difference, if any, between the Fair Market Value of Matheney's stock in Matheney Ford, Inc., if the transaction with the Warwicks had been consummated and the Fair Market Value of such stock after the Warwicks terminated the contract. 2. From this sum, if any, you should deduct all benefits and sums received or recovered by Matheney when he sold his stock to George Cooper. Fair Market Value is the price the stock would bring if offered for sale in the open market by an owner, who desires to sell it, but was under no necessity or compulsion to do so, and when purchased by a buyer who desired to buy it, but was under no necessity or compulsion to do so, each having knowledge of the material facts concerning such common stock.