Re: Kinder Morgan ordered to pay another $2.7 million in Hill Country pipeline dispute
I went through this process when they were running high voltage power lines across one of my tracts of farm land. I felt pretty confident I had a chance when I found out the three man jury panel was locals knowledgeable on real estate.
I went to one trial before mine and a local unprepared attorney tried to gauge the power line folks with some outlandish claims and the three man panel shot him down. I went into mine representing myself with a lot of documentation and photo shopped pictures of the before and after as well as some appraisals. I had rehearsed my speech for a week. I had it all laid out and was ready for battle.
They weren't ready for that and decided to settle. They originally offered 34K. I had asked for 80K. We settled on 62K.
I can't see where that large award will hold up under appeal but the ranchers should come out good either way. At least there pipeline deal is out of site. I had to look at 100' concrete poles on my tract.
Birdog