Opinion ID: 2064868
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: We must still dispose of several defendants' cross-appeal issues because of the probability of a new trial.

Text: Defendants insist they were entitled to a directed verdict because the evidence did not support any award in excess of $1,400.00. Even if we accept this version of the evidence, defendants could not have directed verdict because they concede the evidence supported a plaintiffs' verdict in some amount. Under such circumstances, defendants' remedy was to move that the other issues be withdrawn from the jury. This ground of the cross-appeal is baseless. III. On retrial one issue certain to arise is the extent to which treble damages are assessable. Plaintiffs claimed damage for loss of enjoyment resulting from destruction of the trees and shrubs. The trial court refused to allow treble damages for any loss above the actual value of the trees destroyed. The statute allows treble damages for loss resulting from willfully injuring any timber, trees, or shrubs. It does not limit recovery to damage to the timber, trees, or shrubs themselves. Loss of enjoyment resulting from such conduct is an element of damage. If properly proved, this item, too, comes within the treble damage provision of § 658.4. The jury should be instructed on the measure of damages to be applied in ascertaining a plaintiff's loss as set out in Grell v. Lumsden, 206 Iowa 166, 169-71, 220 N.W. 123, 125 (1928). Plaintiff is entitled to have the entire verdict returned under such an instruction trebled. This rule should be applied on retrial of the case. Incidentally, it will be unnecessary then to submit special interrogatories on damages, as was done at the first trial. IV. The last issue concerns interest. The trial court allowed interest from the date of the trespass. Defendants argue it is allowable only from the date the judgment was entered. Blair v. Sioux City & P. Ry. Co., 109 Iowa 369, 385, 80 N.W. 673, 678 (1899). That case holds that penal statutes like § 658.4 fix the maximum amount to be recovered. In applying such statutes, courts should not add interest prior to the date of judgment. Raynoier, Inc. v. Polson, 400 F.2d 909, 921-22 (9th Cir. 1968); 22 Am.Jur.2d Damages § 267 (1965). Plaintiffs concede this to be the law but urge us to overrule Blair and permit interest from the day the wrong was committed. We decline to do so. V. Neither plaintiffs nor defendants appear anxious to try this case again. Each invites us to arrive at some compromise result which would bring it to an end. We are not indifferent to those suggestions, but we see no way of doing so. Perhaps what we have said about damages will afford some basis for settlement. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS.