Lange v. State

Appellants Lange, et al, in October 1970, brought an inverse condemnation action alleging there had been a “de facto” taking of their property by the State of Washington, Department of Highways. Approximately 1 year later, the State filed a condemnation action to acquire appellants’ property for highway purposes. The trial court dismissed the inverse condemnation claim and awarded appellants compensation based upon the value of their property at the time of trial in the eminent domain proceeding. The issue presented is whether, under the facts of this case, appellants’ property is to be…