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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Procedural Issues (Just Compensation)

Reference Number: MTAS-1301
Reviewed Date: 10/06/2023

Procedural Issues (Just Compensation)
The general rule is that incidental damages and incidental benefits are to be estimated as of the date of the taking. [79] However, since incidental damages and incidental benefits are premised on the impact to the remainder of the property resulting from construction of the public improvement, proof showing the damage or benefits occurring after the taking has been permitted in instances where the trial occurs long after the public improvement has been completed[80]. Property owners whose property is being acquired for street, road, highway, freeway, or parkway purposes are entitled to obtain a continuance of the condemnation case until the public improvement is completed to eliminate uncertainty as to the incidental damages or incidental benefits that may occur as the result of the construction. T.C.A. § 29-17-1001. If the condemnation case is tried before the project is completed, maps, drawings, and photographs of the land may be introduced at trial as long as the evidence would not be misleading. T.C.A. § 29-17-1002.


Notes:
[79] State v. Rascoe, supra; But see City of Parsons v. Goff, (Tenn. Ct. App. W.S. August 4, 1982); Smith, Commissioner v. Paducah, (Tenn. Ct. App. W.S. August 20 1976).

[80] State v. Rascoe, supra; City of Parsons v. Goff, supra; Smith, Commissioner v. Paducah, supra.