Case ID: nc_150/html/0539-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Walker, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

MRS. C. J. QUANTZ v. CITY OF CONCORD.
    (Filed 28 April, 1909.)
    Municipal Corporations — Cities and Towns — Widening Streets— Damages.
    A city is liable to tbe owner for taking bis land in widening its streets in tbe full amount of tbe damages, reduced by tbe value of tbe benefits conferred by tbe improvements; and tbe owner may sue and recover tberefor, in contradistinction to those laid in tort where recovery may not be bad unless tbe work was done in an unskillful manner. (Tbe doctrine established in Jones v. Henderson, 147 N. C., 120, and tbat line of cases, distinguished by Walker, J.)
    ActioN tried.before Councill, J., and a jury,, at January Term, 1909, of Cabarrus.
    Defendant appealed.
    
      Montgomery & Crowell for plaintiff.
    
      W. G. Means and L. T. Hartsell for defendant.
   Walker, J.

Tbis is a proceeding for the condemnation of a part of the plaintiff’s lot, on East Corbin Street,■ in Concord, for the purpose of widening the street, under Private Laws 1907, cb. 344, sec. 90. Tbe court charged the jury tbat the plaintiff is entitled to recover the damages wbicb resulted from taking the property, and laid down the correct rule as to the facts and circumstances they might consider, and wbicb the evidence tended to establish, in determining the amount of the damages. In tbis respect the charge was as favorable to the defendant as the law allowed. It is not necessary to set out the instructions to wbicb exceptions were taken, as the defendant’s contention is tbat the city of Concord is not liable for damages resulting from the grading of streets unless the work is done in an unskillful manner, and for tbis position counsel cite the following cases: Wolf v. Pearson, 114 N. C., 621; Wright v. Wilmington, 92 N. C., 156; Meares v. Wilmington, 31 N. C., 73; Jones v. Henderson, 147 N. C., 120. In those cases the plaintiffs did not sue for compensation rightfully due for the taking of their property, under the power of condemnation given by the charters of the respective cities, but, in tort, for tlie damages resulting from the negligent and unskillful manner of repairing or grading the streets. They were seeking to recover damages, not due by the defendants in the lawful exercise of the right of eminent domain, but for those which were caused by acts not authorized tó be done in the appropriation or condemnation of property for public purposes, and the cases cited do not, therefore, apply to the facts of this case. Here the plaintiff has recovered only such damages as resulted from the taking of and injury to the property, without regard to the manner of doing the work, allowing the defendant a deduction from the damages of any special benefits to the plaintiff’s property derived by her from the improvement of the street, and in this respect the court instructed the jury correctly. Railroad v. Platt Land, 133 N. C., 266, in which the rule for measuring the damages in such cases is fully stated and considered by Justice Connor for the Court. The plaintiff has recovered nothing more than the just compensation to which she is entitled for the land appropriated» by the city for widening and grading the street.

After a careful examination we find no error in the trial of the case.

No Error.