Opinion ID: 2585588
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Passage of Time

Text: The interpretation and application of a statute of limitations is a question of law for which the court's review is unlimited. Likewise, the court's review of conclusions of law is unlimited. Brown v. State, 261 Kan. 6, 8, 927 P.2d 938 (1996). The district court noted that the statute of limitations (or repose) applicable was dependent on whether the prior damages to Dougan's property were permanent or temporary. The jury was instructed as to the difference between permanent and temporary damages to land and requested to determine whether, during the 1993 flooding or at a time prior to the 1993 flooding, Dougan had suffered permanent damages to his property. The jury determined that Dougan's property had not previously suffered permanent damage. The District contends that the history of repeated flooding to Dougan's land, in 1951, 1967, 1973, and 1983about once every 8 years, mandated that Dougan had suffered permanent damages because the pattern of flooding allowed Dougan to anticipate the frequency and extent of flooding and to calculate permanent damages. The District concludes that, under the circumstances, Dougan was required to assert a claim for permanent damages following the 1982 flood; therefore, the present action for temporary damages is barred by the statute of limitations. Dougan argues that the District's failure to take corrective measures, despite knowledge of the risk of flooding resulting from the District's diversion of surface water from its natural course, constitutes a wrongful or negligent act. Dougan asserts that the District has wrongly continued its use and maintenance of the drainage ditch and has continuously failed to take measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of trespass or nuisance of occasional flooding of his lands.