Opinion ID: 1668262
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: La R.S. 3:4278.1

Text: Plaintiffs sought recovery for damages under two theories, La. Civ.Code art. 2315 and the timber trespass statute set forth in La. R.S. 3:4278.1. La. R.S. 3:4278.1. formerly La.R.S. 56:1478.1 [9] , was enacted by the legislature to impose a penalty upon those who disregard the property rights of timber owners. Morgan v. Fuller, 441 So.2d 290, 296 (La.App. 2 Cir.1983), writs denied, 443 So.2d 596 (La.12/16/83); Smith v. Myrick, 412 So.2d 677 (La.App. 2 Cir.1982). The statute imposes a penalty of three times the fair market value of the trees on those persons who unlawfully cut, fell, destroy, remove, or divert trees from landowners' property without their consent, as follows: C. Whoever violates the provisions of Subsection A in good faith shall be liable to the owner or legal possessor of the trees for three times the fair market value of the trees cut, felled, destroyed, removed, or diverted, if circumstances prove that the violator should have been aware that his actions were without consent or direction of the owner or legal possessor of the trees. Consequently, La.R.S. 3:4278.1 is a punitive statute. Statutes which authorize the imposition of a penalty are to be strictly construed. Moreover, when a law is clear and unambiguous and its application does not lead to absurd consequences, the law shall be applied as written. La.Civ.Code art 9. In such cases, no further interpretation may be made in search of the intent of the legislature. Id. There is no ambiguity in La.R.S. 3:4278.1. Under the plain language of statute, a person who is found to have unlawfully cut and removed trees belonging to another without consent is liable to the owner for three times the fair market value of the timber taken. A good faith trespasser is liable for the statutory treble damages only if circumstances prove that he should have been aware that his actions were without consent or direction of the owner or legal possessor of the timber. It is only when a person clearly violates its provisions that he will be assessed the penalty of treble damages. Callison v. Livingston Timber, Inc, XXXX-XXXX (La.App. 1 Cir. 5/9/03), 849 So.2d 449; Howes v. Rocquin, 457 So.2d 1220, 1222 (La.App. 1 Cir. 10/9/84); Shaffett v. Vicks, 385 So.2d 419 (La.App. 1 Cir.1980). In the instant case, a review of the record reveals that it is undisputed that Bayou Jack cut and removed trees from the plaintiffs' property without their consent. Also undisputed are the district court and court of appeal findings that Bayou Jack was in good faith when it cut the trees on plaintiffs' land, and that it is liable for damages. Thus, considering the undisputed facts presented in this case, along with the application of strict construction of the statute, we find that Bayou Jack was in clear violation of La.R.S. 3:4278.1, and that plaintiffs are entitled to damages of three times the fair market value of the trees cut.