Inverse Condemnation Lawyer in Riverside, CA
Inverse Condemnation Lawyer in Riverside, CA
Making the Government Pay When It Takes or Damages Your Property
When a public project floods your land, cuts off your access, or damages your home and the agency responsible has not paid you, the law gives you a way to fight back. It is called inverse condemnation, and Kassouni Law puts an inverse condemnation lawyer Riverside, CA owners can count on to recover the compensation they are owed.
We represent private owners only, never the government. If a city, county, water district, or other public agency has harmed your property in the Inland Empire, we can help you hold it accountable.
What Is Inverse Condemnation?
Inverse condemnation is the flip side of eminent domain. In a normal eminent domain case, the government starts the process and pays for what it takes. In an inverse condemnation case, the government has already taken or damaged your property, but it never started a proceeding and never paid. So you bring the claim and force the issue.
The legal foundation is the same promise found in the U.S. and California constitutions: private property cannot be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation. California’s protection is broad, because it covers property that is damaged, not just property that is physically taken. Our broader inverse condemnation practice page explains the basics in more depth.
Common Inverse Condemnation Situations in Riverside County
These claims often grow out of public works and infrastructure. In and around Riverside, the situations we see include:
- Flooding and drainage damage. A public drainage system, channel, or road project sends water onto your property.
- Road and grading work. Public construction undermines your land, cracks your structures, or changes the grade against you.
- Loss of access. A project removes or blocks reasonable access to your property, hurting its value or use.
- Utility and infrastructure failures. Public water, sewer, or power facilities cause physical damage.
- Slope and slide damage. A public improvement triggers earth movement that harms your property.
- Regulatory takings. A rule or restriction goes so far that it effectively takes the use and value of your land.
What You Can Recover
If your claim succeeds, you can recover the fair market value of what was taken, plus the loss in value to the rest of your property. There is also a feature of California law that makes these cases worth pursuing: when a property owner wins an inverse condemnation case, the court is required to award reasonable attorney, appraisal, and engineering fees on top of the compensation. That rule helps ordinary owners take on agencies with deep pockets.
Why Choose Kassouni Law
Inverse condemnation is a specialized corner of property law, and it rewards a firm that knows takings law inside and out. Managing attorney Timothy Kassouni has handled constitutional property rights matters across California for more than two decades, and the firm has built its reputation by fighting for owners against the government, not the other way around. You can review our results to see the kind of work we do.
Deadlines Matter, So Act Early
Inverse condemnation claims come with strict time limits, and some involve a claim filing step before a lawsuit. Waiting too long can cost you the right to recover anything, so the smart move is to talk to a lawyer as soon as you notice the damage. Documenting the condition early, with photos and records, also strengthens your case.
Areas We Serve Around Riverside
We help owners throughout Riverside County, including Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Norco, Perris, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, Hemet, and Lake Elsinore, and across the Inland Empire.
Talk to an Inverse Condemnation Lawyer Serving Riverside, CA
If a public project has damaged or taken your property and no one has paid you, call Kassouni Law at 877-770-7379 or reach out online. You can also learn about our related property rights lawyer Riverside, CA services. Timothy Kassouni will speak with you personally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between inverse condemnation and eminent domain?
In eminent domain, the government starts a formal proceeding and pays for the property it takes. In inverse condemnation, the government has already taken or damaged your property without a formal proceeding or payment, so the owner brings the claim to force compensation.
Can I recover my attorney fees in an inverse condemnation case?
Yes, often. Under California law, an owner who wins an inverse condemnation case is entitled to recover reasonable attorney, appraisal, and engineering fees in addition to the compensation for the property. This rule helps owners take on well-funded public agencies.
What kinds of damage count as inverse condemnation?
Common examples include flooding or drainage from a public project, road or grading work that undermines or cracks your property, loss of reasonable access, utility failures, and slope movement triggered by a public improvement. California also covers property that is damaged, not only taken.
How long do I have to file an inverse condemnation claim?
These claims carry strict deadlines, and some require an earlier government claim step before a lawsuit. The safest course is to consult a lawyer as soon as you notice the damage, because waiting can bar your right to recover.
