Opinion ID: 2585588
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Levee Damage

Text: Dougan's levee was damaged by the flow of water onto his property. Dougan requested damages for the damage to his levee. Dougan presented evidence in support of his claim, and the jury awarded Dougan 55 percent of his prayer for damages. The trial court, in its memorandum and order denying the District's motion for new trial, found that there was evidence sufficient to support the jury's verdict and that the jury verdict was consistent with the testimony of Dougan's expert, Virgil Bisnett. The District contends on appeal that the evidence is insufficient to sustain the jury's award. Bisnett, a heavy-equipment operator who specializes in dams, roads, and levees, provided an estimate for Dougan regarding repairs on his levee. When Bisnett inspected Dougan's property, the levee was visible but broken. He testified that there were many holes and burrows in the levee and trees growing all over it. Bisnett described the condition of the levee as poor and opined that it had not been properly maintained. He testified that he estimated that it would cost $187,000 to clean out the channel and put the levee back to its original height. The jury determined that the District caused 55 percent of the damage to Dougan's levee. Therefore, the jury took into consideration the condition of the levee in its damage award.