Gavcus v. Potts

808 F.2d 596 (7th Cir. 1986)

Facts

Mrs. Gavcus (P) sued Potts (D) for trespass and unlawful removal of silver coins from her home. Mr. Gavcus died in March 1981. D was Mr. Gavcus’ daughter by a prior marriage and was a residual beneficiary under her father’s will. D’s family attended the funeral and left several days later after saying with P in her home. D then returned the day after they left the home of P and in her absence removed a large quantity of silver coins valued at more than $150,000. The deputy who investigated contacted D who later returned the coins to the sheriff’s office. A couple of weeks later P hired an attorney to get the coins back. The circuit court determined that the coins belonged to P and ordered their return. P then sued for damages including attorney fees from the prior litigation to get the coins back. P did not claim any physical injury to her real property, but the court did allow evidence that P had installed new locks and a burglar alarm. The jury awarded P $3,126 for the cost of the locks and a burglar alarm and $12,000 in attorney fees. The district court set aside the jury’s damages awards and entered judgment for P for nominal damages of one dollar. P appealed.