Indiana State Highway Commission v. Pappas

This appeal arises from an award of damages to appellee James Pappas (Pappas) for the wrongful interruption of special electrical service to his machine shop by the appellant State Highway Commission (Commission).

The facts most favorable to Pappas reveal that he lived in a home on Pine Street in Indianapolis. Located on the same property was Pappas’ machine shop, where he performed subcontracted work, designing and building fixtures - and parts for heavy machinery. In 1968, the State began buying and condemning property in Pappas’ neighborhood for a highway construction project. A…