Lane v. Oil Delivery, Inc.
New Jersey Superior Court
216 N.J. Super. 413 (1987)
Relevant factsFree
The Lanes (plaintiffs) lost personal belongings in a home fire and sued Oil Delivery (defendant), presenting a list of replacement costs supported by testimony grounded in Mr. Lane's shopping experience and Mrs. Lane's retail and flea-market expertise; the jury awarded damages totaling the list's values, but the trial court reduced the award, holding damages should instead be measured by market value at the time of loss. Oil Delivery appealed, and the Lanes cross-appealed.
IssueFree
Whether, for the loss of household furnishings, clothing, and other personalty, the measure of damages is the actual or intrinsic value of the property to the owner.