Protecting Your Rights in Eminent Domain Cases
At our firm, we’re committed to ensuring the government doesn’t overstep its authority. Understanding the limits of the government’s eminent domain powers can give you leverage to secure better outcomes.
Determining “Just Compensation”
The government is required to value your property at its highest and best use, not just its current use. For example, your land may have potential for large-scale commercial or residential development.
We collaborate with top industry experts—MAI appraisers, engineers, environmental scientists, and architects—to establish your property’s true potential, ensuring you receive fair compensation based on its highest value.
What if My Property is Unique or Special?
Special-use properties like churches, schools, and factories often lack comparable sales data, which can lead to undervaluation by government appraisers. These properties hold unique value to their owners that standard appraisal methods may overlook.
We’ve successfully represented owners of special-use properties by emphasizing their unique features to ensure proper compensation.
Will I Be Compensated for Damage to My Remaining Property?
When only part of your property is taken, you’re entitled to compensation for damages to the remaining portion. This includes issues like:
- Loss of access or parking.
- Non-conformance with zoning regulations.
- Reduced functionality or profitability of the remaining property.
For example, we represented a developer who was developing a hotel on his property when the government decided to take a portion of the property for a road widening. The Department of Transportation initially offered $244,000. However, we demonstrated that the taking severely impacted the potential use of the property, and a jury awarded our client over $5.5 million, including interest.
