Notable Trial Outcomes and Settlements

413 Acre Take Settles for $10,950,000

Background: A levee district took a 413.34 acres from a 1,221.36 acre orchard and row crop property in Yuba County, California. Initially, the owner’s appraisers valued the take at $11,550,000, and determined the loss of business goodwill incurred by the orchard was $1,184,000. The government valued the take at a little over $8,000,000 and offered nothing for the loss of business goodwill.

Result: DNLC succeeded in obtaining a settlement for the landowners of $10 million for the take alone, and an additional $500,000 for the loss of business goodwill, plus over $400,000 in interest and costs.

56 Acre Take Leads to Jury Verdict of $1.26 Million

Background: The government took 56.29 acres from a 298.08 acre orchard and row crop property. The case went to a jury trial, with the owner’s appraiser valuing the take at $1,690,000 and the government’s appraiser countering with $725,900.

Result: DNLC obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $1,266,525 our client.

99.65 Acre Take Leads to Jury Verdict of $2,883,962, Plus Litigation Expenses

Background: The government took 99.65 acres from a 105 acre property. The owner’s appraiser valued the take at $3,495,000, and the government’s appraiser believed the owner should be paid $1,852,220. The landowner’s final demand was for $2,750,000 and the government made a final offer of $2,250,000. The case proceeded to a jury trial.

Result: DNLC obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $2,883,962—an amount higher than the client’s final demand. In addition, the judge ordered the government to pay $134,771.82 for our client’s attorney’s and expert’s fees.

1.72 Acre Take of Apartment Complex Settles for $1.75 Million

Background: For a take of a 1.72 acre apartment complex property, the property owners were offered $1,425,000.

Result: Prior to formal action and through negotiation by DNLC with the agency, our client reached a settlement and were paid $1,755,333.33.

6.95 Acre Take of Entire Property Settles for $1.93 Million

Background: A 6.95 acre unimproved property in Sacramento was taken in full for a detention basin. The landowner’s appraiser valued the take at $2,260,000, while the government’s appraiser valued the property at $1,515,000.

Result: DNLC succeeded in obtaining a settlement for the landowners of $1,928,323.

0.024 Acre Take of Tahoe Lakefront Property Settles for $100,000

Background: A take of 1,039 square feet, or 0.024 acres, of a lakefront parcel in Tahoe for a drainage easement resulted in a pre-possession deposit of $47,000.

Result: Prior to undertaking any litigation, DNLC obtained a settlement for the landowners of $100,000.

400+ Acre Take Settles for $5.025 Million

Background: The government took 400+ acres of an approximately 800 acre orchard and home site. Our appraiser valued the take at $5,866,000, and the government’s appraiser valued it at $3,495,153.

Result: DNLC succeeded in obtaining a settlement for the landowners of $5,025,000.

A Take of a Neighborhood Market Property Settles for $476,385

Background: The government agency took a small family owned neighborhood market. The government offered $316,000.

Result: After hiring DNLC, our client obtained over $476,000.

Inverse Condemnation of 2.0 Acres Settles for $403,000

Background: The government took 2.0 acres of a 22.87 acre home site for a levee setback, but failed to pay the landowners just compensation prior to the take. The agency valued the take at $101,000 but failed to deposit that amount with the landowners.

Result: DNLC succeeded in obtaining a settlement for the landowners of $403,000.

Government Offers $7,800; Ends Up Paying $260,000

Background: The government initially offered to pay our client $7,800 to take a 2 acre easement over a portion of the client’s 121 acre property. The appraiser for our client believed the owners should be paid on of $362,000. The case went to trial on a legal issue regarding dedication requirements that affected the appraisers’ opinions. DNLC argued that the government’s appraiser improperly valued the take.

Result: DNLC won on both legal issues before the court, which led to the agency settling with the landowners for $260,000—an amount 33 times the original $7,800 offer.

Successful Outcomes on Appeals and Writs