Court Opinion

ID: 9770485
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 16:06:17.8818+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:17.761040
License: Public Domain

HUGHES, Justice
(concurring).
To my mind the verdict of the jury is such that it reflects utter confusion by the jury of the issues answered by it to such an extent that no judgment could properly be based thereon.
The jury found that the whole of appellant’s land (.58 of an acre, 25,264 plus sq. ft.) was worth $900 before the power lines were built (Issue 6) but that a lO' by'91.-32' (913 plus sq. ft.) strip across this land was worth $372.50 before the power lines were built (Issue 8). The 'land being of about the same quality it is unreasonable that* thé 10a strip would have a value of more than ½ of the entire tract when such tract was about 25 times larger than the strip. ' '
The same 10a strip was also found to have increased in value from $372.50 to $500 immediately after the power lines were laid. This is a fantastic finding. While condemning authorities understanding^ play down the damage done to property by constructing power lines across it I have never before heard it contended that the specific space occupied, by poles and lines'was increased in value by such occupation.
*639I believe, as a matter of law, that some damage is sustained by land under these circumstances even though the damage be nominal.
I agree with all that the Court has said, but add these observations for. my' own satisfaction.