Stoor's Inc. v. Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation

BISTLINE, Justice.

This appeal raises the question whether prejudgment interest was properly awarded to the plaintiffs-respondents, the Stoors. We hold that it was not, because the principal amount of liability had not been judicially reduced to a liquidated amount. Therefore, prejudgment interest was not ascertainable by simple mathematical computation, because no such interest would accrue until there was a sum certain against which interest could accrue.

The Department of Parks and Recreation had a lease agreement with Mr. Stoor. This agreement granted Mr. Stoor the right to construct and…