Opinion ID: 1865091
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: state's duty to bakody

Text: First we turn to the issue of whether the State violated any duty to Bakody. In its brief, Bakody argues that the State violated its duty to the appellant in two ways: (1) by failing to maintain the maps required by Neb.Rev.Stat. § 39-1311(1) (Reissue 1988) and (2) by furnishing an inaccurate map to Bakody's representative, Dorner. Bakody's first argument is confusing at best because it is inconsistent with its pleadings in its amended petition and because it appears to be based upon a misunderstanding of § 39-1311(1). In its amended petition, Bakody alleged that the Defendant State and its agencies, had a statutory duty to establish and maintain an accurate corridor map and that the State and its agencies were negligent in failing to notify and accurately advise [ Bakody ] and its representatives of the corridor and in providing [ Bakody ] with an incorrect map which did not reflect the proposed corridor, and [in failing] to insure that no building permits were issued for construction in the corridor area. (Emphasis supplied.) Although Bakody alleged in its amended pleading that the State had a duty to maintain an accurate corridor map, Bakody neither pled nor proved that the State breached its duty to maintain such a map. Pleadings frame the issues upon which the cause is to be tried and advise the adversary as to what the adversary must meet. Diefenbaugh v. Rachow, 244 Neb. 631, 508 N.W.2d 575 (1993). See, also, Neb. Rev.Stat. § 25-1101 et seq. (Reissue 1989). An issue not presented to or passed upon by the trial court is not an appropriate issue for consideration upon appeal. How v. Mars, 245 Neb. 420, 513 N.W.2d 511 (1994); Central States Resources v. First Nat. Bank, 243 Neb. 538, 501 N.W.2d 271 (1993). Thus, the issue of whether the State failed to maintain the corridor map that Bakody claims it was required to maintain is not properly before this court. Next we examine Bakody's argument that the State was negligent because the Department furnished inaccurate maps to Dorner. Bakody contends that, by virtue of Dorner's inquiry about State right-of-way plans, the Department was on notice that Bakody contemplated building within the corridor and that the State was negligent for failing to advise Dorner of the existence of the corridor. The State counters that it had no duty to furnish corridor plans to Bakody, because neither Bakody nor its representative, Dorner, ever requested information about the West Dodge Road corridor plan. The statutory corridor protection plan as it existed at all times material to this case became effective July 12, 1974. 1974 Neb.Laws, L.B. 805. It is axiomatic, and this court has held, that everyone is presumed to know the law. See, e.g., Haman v. Marsh, 237 Neb. 699, 467 N.W.2d 836 (1991); Lindgren v. School Dist. of Bridgeport, 170 Neb. 279, 102 N.W.2d 599 (1960); Beltner v. Carlson, 153 Neb. 797, 46 N.W.2d 153 (1951). Bakody's representative, Dorner, a licensed surveyor retained by Bakody to assist in the platting and zoning of the Oakmount Townhome subdivision, testified that he did not know if he was aware of Nebraska's corridor protection law at that time and that he was unaware of the corridor protection plan for West Dodge Road until sometime after this incident occurred. Dorner admitted that, although he made two separate inquiries of the Department, both of those inquiries requested information about the State's need for additional right-of-way which would affect the plat of the subdivision. He testified that he is sure he did not ask anyone at the Department about the corridor protection plan. We are unaware of any authority, nor have we been cited to any, which would hold the State liable for the Department failing to provide corridor maps to Dorner when he specifically inquired about right-of-way plans for West Dodge Road. One cannot be negligent in failing to perform an act which one did not in the first instance have a duty or obligation to perform. Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Center Bank, 202 Neb. 294, 275 N.W.2d 73 (1979). It is uncontroverted that the Department furnished Dorner with the exact information he requested on behalf of Bakody, that is, the right-of-way plans for West Dodge Road. It defies logic to impose a duty on the Department to somehow read the minds of its callers and furnish them with information accordingly. Bakody and its agent, Dorner, are charged with knowledge of the corridor law, and Dorner's admitted unfamiliarity with the law may not be made the basis for imposing liability upon the State. The record fails to reveal any evidence whatever that the Department breached any duty in providing information that Dorner in fact requested. Thus it was not error for the trial court to hold as a matter of law that the State had not breached any duty to Bakody and to enter a directed verdict in favor of the State.