Peterson v. Ferrell

Some of Plaintiffs’ cattle grazed on Defendants’ ranch. Plaintiffs sued Defendant alleging that Defendant breached numerous grazing contracts while Plaintiffs’ cattle were supposed to be calving, fattening, and breeding on Defendants’ pastures and that Defendant failed in his duty to adequately feed, supervise, and care for their cattle. The district court found that Defendant had breached the grazing contracts and awarded a total of $240,416 in damages. Defendant appealed. The court of appeals affirmed the damage award in most respects but remanded the award to the district court to correct three errors. The court also concluded that one Plaintiff, Steve Peterson, did not have standing and dismissed his claims. The Supreme Court affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded, holding (1) the court of appeals correctly found that Peterson, who failed to present evidence that he personally owned any of the cattle in question, had no standing; (2) Defendant breached the grazing contract; and (3) the court of appeals correctly resolved the question of damages. View "Peterson v. Ferrell" on Justia Law