Koehler v. State

REYNOLDSON, Justice.

These four consolidated cases brought under the Iowa Tort Claims Act, Chapter 25A, The Code, arose when an auto collided with a snowbank following the historic blizzard of April, 1973. Trial to the district court sitting without a jury (§ 25A.4) resulted in judgment for defendant State of Iowa. Upon plaintiffs’ appeals, we affirm.

I. Factual findings.

The issue of negligence is ordinarily for the trier of fact. Only in exceptional cases may it be decided as a matter of law. Trial court’s fact-findings in a case tried to the court at law have the force of a jury verdict. Upon…