State, Department of Transportation v. Lockhart

Florida’s Department of Transportation (DOT) appeals the final order entered by the trial court awarding landowners, William and Isabelle Lockhart, the attorney’s fees which were incurred in litigating the amount of expert fees owed by the State in an eminent domain proceeding. Concluding that the award of attorney’s fees was proper, we affirm.

DOT filed a petition against the Lock-harts asserting a claim of eminent domain over two parcels of their property. DOT estimated the properties’ value to be $70,900. The Lockharts contested the estimate and the issue of compensation proceeded to trial.…