Neb. Appeals Court Says Directed Verdict for Neighbor was Error

LINCOLN, Neb. - A directed verdict for the owners of a conjoined building blamed for a fire that led to mold and demolition of a thrift store was error because reasonable minds could differ about the cause of the building loss, the Nebraska Court of Appeals has ruled. The Salvation Army v. Kyle, et al., No. A-08-1190 (Neb. Sup. Ct.).

The appellate court on Sept. 15 reversed a decision by the District Court for Adams County (Neb.), which allowed a jury to consider only damages for the loss of inventory and equipment, but not the loss of the Salvation Army …