11-972
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11-972. Litigation expenses A. The court having jurisdiction of a proceeding instituted by an acquiring agency to acquire real property by condemnation shall award the owner of any right to, title to or interest in the real property an amount that will reimburse the owner for the owner's reasonable costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, appraisal and engineering fees actually incurred because of the condemnation proceedings if any of the following occurs: 1. The final judgment is that the acquiring agency cannot acquire the real property by condemnation. 2. The proceeding is abandoned or dismissed on a motion by the acquiring agency. B. If an inverse condemnation proceeding is initiated by the owner of any right, title or interest in real property because of the alleged physical taking of the owner's property for any public purpose, the court that renders judgment for the plaintiff in the proceeding and that awards compensation for the physical taking of property, or the acquiring agency that effects a settlement of any such proceedings, shall determine and award or allow to the plaintiff as a part of the judgment or settlement an amount that, in the opinion of the court or the acquiring agency, will reimburse the plaintiff for the plaintiff's reasonable costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, appraisal and engineering fees, actually incurred because of the proceeding. |