Los Angeles Inverse Condemnation Lawyers

Inverse Condemnation

Inverse condemnation occurs when a public project causes property damage without payment of just compensation or effectively results in the property being taken, damaged or occupied. Inverse condemnation may result from a nearby public project that causes:

• Flood damage
• Landslide
• Land subsidence (sinking)
• Loss of adjacent or subjacent support
• Physical occupation of the property even if there is no property damage

In certain circumstances, loss of property value may arise when a government agency unreasonably delays in the acquisition of property after publicly announcing intent to acquire the property.

When property is taken or property damage is caused by a government agency or a public project without an offer of compensation first being made, a property owner should immediately explore hiring an experienced property damage litigation lawyer before further losses accrue.

An experienced Los Angeles property damage litigation lawyer can assist you by developing a course of action to counter inverse condemnation, by assembling the proper team of experts and consultants that will be required to establish both liability and damages against the government.

The experts and consultants required may include several specialized disciplines. The experience level of the property California inverse condemnation lawyer will be key in developing the case strategy and organizing the team of experts based on the specific needs of each particular inverse condemnation case.

Due to the complex nature of many inverse condemnation cases that involve earth movement, expert analysis is instrumental in the conduct of the litigation, as well as in the development of a remedial plan to address the problem.

Inverse condemnation trials are frequently two-phase trials:

• A judge generally decides legal issues such as liability;
• A jury decides valuation and determines damages.

When deciding to engage a property damage litigation lawyer for your matter, it is important to evaluate the settlement experience and trial results of the attorney. One may wish to inquire about the property damage litigation lawyer's settlement and trial experience with inverse condemnation.

Peterson Law Group emphasizes practice in eminent domain and inverse condemnation.

Our California property damage litigation lawyers have represented and tried to verdict cases including, as examples:

• $3.0 million decision for a landslide caused by a coastal fire road in an inverse condemnation case for the cost of repairing a client's Palos Verdes Estates bluff-top ocean view property;
• $10.5 million verdict on auto dealership property adjacent to the 405 Freeway;
• $4.0 million verdict for vacant land across from the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Our property damage litigation lawyers have also resolved substantial inverse condemnation claims while avoiding trial. These involve landslide, land subsidence, other earth movement and access cases, including a major public works project on Wilshire Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles that resulted in several million dollars in aggregate inverse condemnation resolutions from property damage claims. Our California property damage litigation lawyers have represented and resolved landslide cases involving properties in several areas throughout Southern California, including Laurel Canyon, San Bernardino, Yorba Linda, Agoura Hills, and Baldwin Hills.

Peterson Law Group offers practical experience with inverse condemnation, reflected in courtroom results. We believe in personalized attention to assist our client in what can be a difficult experience. We work with highly qualified inverse condemnation experts, yet we are sensitive to the costs of litigation as we work with the client to develop a cost-effective strategy.

While we believe that anyone who owns a property subject to inverse condemnation should be entitled to the benefits of experienced counsel, we are admittedly selective in the cases we choose to represent. We believe our selection criteria enable us to provide personal attention to the needs of our clients while striving to get the results that our clients deserve.

Our experienced California property damage litigation attorneys welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation and help you assess the merits of your case.