Weisswasser v. Chernick
Weisswasser v. Chernick
Opinion of the Court
On Remand
Defendants were found to have intentionally trespassed on plaintiffs’ land and were assessed treble damages amounting to $64,800, pursuant to MCLA 600.2919; MSA 27A.2919. On appeal, this Court reversed,
That decision was reversed on May 2, 1977, by the Supreme Court in a per curiam opinion
Because the Supreme Court has definitively answered all questions as to defendants’ liability, the only remaining issue we need discuss is whether the trial court erred in its instructions to the jury as to the standard to be used for computing damages. The trial court instructed the jury that it could consider replacement costs in determining damages.
Under MCLA 600.2919; MSA 27A.2919 (and its predecessors), damages are measured by the loss of value of the freehold interests of the owner as a
"there is no fixed, inflexible rule for determining, with mathematical certainty, what sum shall compensate for the invasion of the interests of the owner. Whatever approach is most appropriate to compensate him for his loss in the particular case should be adopted.”
Furthermore, in Kelly v Fine, 354 Mich 384, 388; 92 NW2d 511 (1958), and in Schankin v Buskirk, supra, at 496, the Supreme Court held that replacement and restoration costs are proper elements for the jury to consider in assessing damages.
Therefore, since the trial court did instruct the jury that they must "determine the amount of money which would reasonably, fairly and adequately compensate plaintiffs for the injury to their property”, the instruction that they could consider replacement costs in making that determination does not constitute reversible error.
We have carefully reviewed all other allegations of error and find none to be persuasive.
Affirmed.
68 Mich App 342; 242 NW2d 576 (1976).
399 Mich 653; 252 NW2d 766 (1977).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.