inverse condemnation

Inverse condemnation occurs when the government or a public authority's actions—or even sometimes its inaction—unintentionally cause a property’s value to decrease or limit its use, effectively taking private property without formal condemnation procedures. Instead of the property owner initiating a condemnation process, the owner seeks compensation through legal action, arguing that the government’s conduct effectively “taken” their property rights. This legal principle ensures property owners are fairly compensated when government activities—like construction, environmental restrictions, or infrastructure projects—result in significant harm or loss to their property’s value.