With construction on the final leg of the Interstate 69 expansion set to begin in less than two years, landowners affected by the project must discuss their options with an attorney as soon as possible. At Sever Walker Padgitt, we will review the facts of your case at no cost to you and let you know whether we think we can help get you more money for your property. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, contact us online or call our office today at (888) 318-3761.
I-69 Expansion Basics
The Indiana Department of Transportation indicates that Section 6 of the expansion will begin Martinsville and end at Interstate 465 in Indianapolis and provides maps so that landowners can determine whether their property will be affected. In the event that your property may be in the path of the project, protect your rights by talking to a lawyer before accepting any offers you’ve received.
While the law requires that condemning authorities provide property owners with just compensation for their land, it does not clearly define just compensation. Courts define just compensation on a case-by-case basis, and not surprisingly, property owners and governments often significantly disagree about the value of a particular parcel of land.
Fortunately for landowners who are unfamiliar with the process, help is available. An attorney can often help negotiate a settlement offer for significantly more money than the initial offer and can also file suit if the other party refuses to agree to a reasonable offer. In some cases, the amount of compensation offered to a landowner goes up dramatically once a lawyer becomes involved, so it is in your best interest to retain legal counsel before coming to an agreement.
How Much Will Legal Representation Cost Me?
If you’re considering an offer that seems reasonable and are hesitant to talk to an attorney because you feel like it will hurt your bottom line, don’t be. At Sever Walker Padgitt, we use a contingency fee arrangement by which we only collect legal fees (33 percent) on the amount of compensation you receive above the initial offer, so at no point will you receive less because you chose to retain us. If you do not receive more, we don’t get paid.
To understand how our fee arrangement works, consider the following example:
- Initial Offer – $300,000
- Actual Settlement Amount – $400,000
- Attorney’s Fees – $33,000 (33 percent of $100,000)
- Amount Received by Landowner – $367,000
Call Sever Walker Padgitt Today to Speak With an Indiana Eminent Domain Attorney
If you believe that your home or business could be affected by this project or any other project involving eminent domain, call Sever Walker Padgitt as soon as you can. With more than 25 years helping landowners protect their rights, we know how to get you the compensation you deserve for your land and are not hesitant to challenge condemnation actions when it is appropriate to do so. To schedule a free case evaluation with an eminent domain lawyer in Indiana, call our office today at (888) 318-3761 or contact us online.
