Smernoff v. Star Tire & Wheel

Citations

• 204 Conn. App. 577

Syllabus

The plaintiffs, S and F Co., sought to recover damages from the defendant for breach of contract after the defendant allegedly breached its obliga- tion to repair S's motor vehicle. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendant improperly drilled a hole in the engine block and damaged the vehicle and that, as a result of the defendant's breach, the plaintiffs incurred expenses for, inter alia, the repair of the vehicle, rental of a replacement vehicle, and lost business time and profits. The court rendered judgment, after a trial to the court, for the plaintiffs, awarding certain damages, and denying the plaintiffs' request for further claimed damages. On the defendant's appeal to this court, held that the trial court did not err in awarding certain direct and consequential damages to the plaintiffs: the plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence for the trial court to fairly and reasonably estimate their expenses, and the court subsequently awarded direct and consequential damages in amounts that were consistent with the plaintiffs' itemized expenses; with respect to direct damages, the plaintiffs presented invoices for work performed by the defendant, addi- tional repair costs, and the cost of a replacement engine, and, with respect to consequential damages, the plaintiffs presented documenta- tion of towing and rental expenses; accordingly, the damages award was not clearly erroneous, considering the evidentiary record before the court and affording the court the broad discretion that it is entitled to in calculating damages. Argued January 12—officially released May 11, 2021