Opinion ID: 1613673
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Contract Damages Generally.

Text: In an action for breach of contract, the plaintiff is entitled to recover all his detriment proximately caused by the breach, not exceeding the amount he would have gained by full performance. [3] Regan v. Moyle Petro. Co., 344 N.W.2d 695, 696 (S.D.1984); Big Band, Inc. v. Williams, 87 S.D. 24, 202 N.W.2d 121, 123 (1972). In other words, the ultimate purpose behind allowance of damages for breach of contract is to place the injured party in the position he or she would have occupied if the contract had been performed, Macal v. Stinson, 468 N.W.2d 34, 36 (Iowa 1991), or to make the injured party whole, Hulstein v. Meilman Food Industries, Inc., 293 N.W.2d 889, 891 (S.D. 1980). See also Leingang v. City of Mandan Weed Bd., 468 N.W.2d 397 (N.D.1991). Damages not reasonably anticipated by the parties when they contracted are not recoverable. Northern Farm Supply, Inc. v. Sprecher, 307 N.W.2d 870, 873 (S.D.1981) (citing Thermoid Rubber Co. v. Brictson, 39 S.D. 114, 163 N.W. 567 (1917); SDCL 21-2-1); Macal, 468 N.W.2d at 36. Further, damages which are uncertain, contingent or speculative cannot be recovered. Sprecher, 307 N.W.2d at 874 (citing Kunkel v. United Security Ins. Co., 84 S.D. 116, 168 N.W.2d 723 (1969)). Finally, duplication of damages of the same nature and purpose is to be avoided. K & E Land & Cattle, Inc. v. Mayer, 330 N.W.2d 529, 532 (S.D.1983); Regan, 344 N.W.2d at 697.