Court Opinion

ID: 9539032
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 07:45:41.940255+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:58:23.661698
License: Public Domain

STOWERS, Justice, specially concurring and dissenting. I concur in part and dissent in part. I concur with the opinion, except for the conclusion awarding damages to Russell for personal property. In order for a trial court to award damages, there must be proof that the damage occurred and proof of the amount of damages must be subject to reasonable ascertainment. Bank of New Mexico v. Rice, 78 N.M. 170, 429 P.2d 368 (1967). Even though an owner may express an opinion as to value the evidence presented in a case must still be substantial and the evidence presented in this case of the value of Russell’s personal property loss is not substantial and cannot support the judgment of the trial court. See Toltec International, Inc. v. Village of Ruidoso, 95 N.M. 82, 619 P.2d 186 (1980): Thus, there is no basis for the award of damages for loss of personal property. I would reverse the trial court in all aspects.