State, Department of Highways v. Dugas & LeBlanc, Ltd.

BARNETTE, Judge.

This is a proceeding initiated by the State of Louisiana, through the Department of Highways, for the expropriation of 3.75 acres of land for highway purposes. Upon taking the land in question the Highway Department deposited in the registry of the court the sum of $2,813 as just compensation, computed at $750 per acre. There is no serious contention that this amount was not a fair appraisal of the actual land value, but the defendants claim substantial severance damage for which they seek reimbursement.

Three expert appraisers testified at the trial and their estimates of the…