Larson v. Great West Casualty Co.

SACKETT, Judge.

Defendant-appellant Custard Insurance Adjusters appeal following a jury trial finding it converted a pickup owned by plaintiff-appellee Michael Larson. The jury awarded plaintiff $3,200 actual damage for the truck and $225,000 punitive damages. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for a retrial on the issue of compensatory damages.

Plaintiff is a resident of Alaska. He drove to Iowa in the 1986 pickup he contends was converted. Plaintiff was in an accident with the pickup while pulling a rental trailer. He was headed to an Iowa farm where he intended to pick up an…