Opinion ID: 1748489
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Enjoyment of Property

Text: Staley argues that the damage cap violates his rights under Neb. Const. article I, § 25, which provides in pertinent part: There shall be no discrimination between citizens of the United States in respect to the acquisition, ownership, possession, enjoyment or descent of property. This argument is based upon the premise, for which no authority is cited, that the right to recover in tort is a property right. Brief for appellee on cross-appeal at 47. However, in rejecting a claim that damage caps constitute an unconstitutional taking of property under Neb. Const. art. I, § 21, this court has joined others in rejecting the argument that a cause of action and determination of damages are property. Gourley v. Nebraska Methodist Health Sys., supra . The damage cap at issue here does not violate Neb. Const. art. I, § 25.