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What Is Inverse Condemnation?

While governmental bodies may use eminent domain to seize land for the public’s benefit, property owners may file inverse condemnation actions when they do not receive just compensation for the land that is taken. Landowners must receive fair compensation from the government whenever their property is seized through eminent domain processes. While eminent domain is initiated by the government, inverse condemnation is initiated by property owners who have not been fairly compensated for the land that has been seized.

Eminent Domain Rules

Property owners enjoy constitutional rights against seizures of their property by the government under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, eminent domain has been recognized as an exception to this right under both federal and Nevada state law. Nevada has established laws about when the government can exercise eminent domain to seize property and how the process works. The government can seize property to use for the public’s benefit. However, it must fairly compensate property owners for the property that is taken. When property owners do not receive reasonable compensation from the government for their seized land, they may file inverse condemnation actions.

Understanding Inverse Condemnation

Inverse condemnation refers to a legal process by which landowners may sue the government for fair compensation for the lands that they have lost. This action may be filed when the government seizes a portion of property outright or when its actions result in an effective seizure of a portion or all of a piece of property. For example, if a government redirects a waterway in such a way that it causes a landowner’s property to flood, it could be considered an effective seizure of the landowner’s property. Inverse condemnation actions provide a way for landowners to recover the compensation they should receive for the loss of use or ownership rights of the affected land.

To prove an inverse condemnation claim in Nevada, property owners are required to show several things. They must prove that taking of the land and their real or personal interests in it occurred. They must also show that the land was seized for the public’s use without receiving just compensation. The seizure must have been proximately caused by the actions of a governmental agency in the absence of formal eminent domain procedures. Inverse condemnation actions can be complex because of the types of evidence that may be needed to prove these elements.  

What Our Clients Say

My family and I are thankful to Maddox, Segerblom and Canepa for their assistance during a three year case regarding construction defects to our home. We are truly appreciative of their knowledge, determination and assistance during this process. They were always courteous, and available to answer any and all of our concerns and questions. Thank you for the wonderful resolution. Many thanks to you and your staff.

Frances Castelli

We used Maddox, Segerblom & Canepa to represent us in a legal suit re problems in construction on new properties that we purchased from a developer.

We were very pleased with the representation provided by this law firm. They were fully communicative, responsive to our questions and were very knowledgeable about the issues that required resolution. Even after we reached a resolution, they have been responsive in making sure to point us in the right direction for help with repairs that are required.

We would recommend them to others with similar issues that require legal help.

Atam & Margo Lalchandani

Maddox, Segerblom & Canepa did a FANTASTIC job in our construction defects case. I interacted with several people from their office throughout our 2 year litigation. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and always prompt about getting back to you when you have questions/comments/concerns. I especially enjoyed working with Darcy, Ardea, Eva, and Sandra. Being part of a lawsuit is no fun for anyone, but if you have to be a part of one, I can’t say enough positive things about this firm!

Victoria Fox

The law firm of Maddox, Segerblom, and Canepa were amazing to work with. They were thorough and always available for any questions we had. We worked a lot with Sandy who was always professional, friendly, always on time for appointments and just a great person to represent this firm. We have never been involved in a law suit before and they made it comfortable for us. We appreciate the hard work the lawyers and people who work for the firm did and would recommend them.

Becky Loudenburg
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