1074:(Judge Tomljanovich) Yes. Under Minnesota's constitution, the government must compensate a landowner for any damage it causes when it takes private land for public use. Whether the police acted reasonably is not relevant. The constitutional provision is not limited to an improvement of property for public use. The doctrine of public necessity does not change our holding. Once a taking has been found to exist, compensation is required. If the public necessity doctrine were to apply to a situation like this, no taking would ever be found. Fairness and justice require this result. It would not be fair for Wegner to suffer the burden of his loss for the public good. Therefore, the City must bear his loss. In addition, the individual police officers are not personally liable; the public must bear the loss.
1062:: this was a taking of his private property for public use and so the City was required to compensate him for it. The City claimed there was no taking because the police's actions were a legitimate exercise of police power. Lower courts ruled that the City was justified under the doctrine of public necessity and that the City was not required to compensate Wegner. Wegner appealed to the State Supreme Court in its claim against the City's insurance company.
788:
894:
A strong wind blows a parachuting skydiver off course from his intended landing zone. He must land in a nearby farmer's field. The skydiver tramples on the farmer's prized roses, and the farmer hits the skydiver on the head with a pitchfork. The skydiver can invoke the privilege of private necessity
976:
is the use of private property by a public official for a public reason. The potential harm to society necessitates the destruction or use of private property for the greater good. The injured, private individual does not always recover for the damage caused by the necessity. In
American law, two
890:
is the use of another's property for private reasons. Well established doctrines in common law prevent a property owner from using force against an individual in a situation where the privilege of necessity would apply. While an individual may have a private necessity to use the land or property of
1019:
and exists independent of society and government. Individual rights must give way to the higher law of impending necessity. A house on fire or about to catch on fire is a public nuisance which is lawful to abate. Otherwise one stubborn person could destroy an entire city. If property is destroyed
1020:
without an apparent necessity, the destroying person would be liable to the property owner for trespass. Here, blowing up
Surocco's house was necessary to stop the fire. Any delay in blowing up the house to allow him to remove more of his possessions would have made blowing up the house too late.
1002:
was hit by a major fire. The plaintiff, Surocco, was attempting to remove goods from his home while the fire raged nearby. The defendant and mayor of San
Francisco, Geary, authorized that the plaintiff's home be demolished to stop the progress of the fire and to prevent its spread to nearby
1053:
canisters and concussion grenades into the house causing extensive damage. Wegner sued the defendant, the City of
Minneapolis for trespass. Wegner claimed that the City's actions constituted a "taking" of his property under principles similar to those outlined in the
875:, those who are harmed by individuals invoking the necessity privilege are usually free from any wrongdoing. Generally, an individual invoking this privilege is obligated to pay any actual damages caused in the use of the property but not punitive or nominal
871:("Necessity induces a privilege because of a private right"). A court will grant this privilege to a trespasser when the risk of harm to an individual or society is apparently and reasonably greater than the harm to the property. Unlike the privilege of
956:(Judge Lewis) One who constructs a dock and conducts business assumes a risk of damage that may occur from storms. For this reason, Judge Lewis did not agree with the majority and believed that Vincent had assumed the risk of damage caused by Lake Erie
949:
tied to the dock. If they had not done so, the ship could have been lost creating a far greater damage than what was caused to the dock. Although this was a prudent thing to do, Lake Erie is still liable to
Vincent for the damage
1147:
Dan B. Dobbs and Paul T. Hayden, "Torts and
Compensation: Personal Accountability and Social Responsibility for Injury, Fifth Edition", American Casebook Series, Thomson West Publishing, Cambridge, Saint Paul, MN, (2005)
944:
had entered the harbor at the time the storm began, and the wind knocked her against the dock, this force of nature would not have allowed
Vincent to recover. The defendant, Lake Erie, deliberately kept the
964:
assures private citizens from a public policy standpoint that they will be compensated for their loss. Vincent will be compensated for repairs and Lake Erie can rest assured that their ship will not sink.
1078:
It is an issue of public policy to determine if either private individuals or the public at large through taxes should bear the loss for damages caused through public necessity.
960:
To invoke the private necessity privilege, the defendant must have been actually threatened or have reasonably thought that a significant harm were about to occur. The ruling in
924:, the steamship owned by the defendant. An unusually violent storm developed. Lake Erie was unable to leave the dock safely and deckhands for the steamship instead tied the
1055:
847:
or an individual a privilege to take or use the property of another. A defendant typically invokes the defense of necessity only against the intentional torts of
928:
to the dock, continually changing ropes as they began to wear and break. A sudden fierce wind threw the ship against the dock significantly damaging the dock.
71:
211:
1038:
This case coincides with the private necessity doctrine and shows that
American courts are conflicted on the issue of compensation for damage.
146:
940:(Judge O'Brien) Yes. A private necessity may require one to take or damage another's property, but compensation is required. If the
818:
1153:
1135:
1082:
allocates the loss that benefits the public to the public rather than to Wegner, the innocent citizen. Cases with similar facts to
899:
because the use of force in defense of property is not privileged against an individual who successfully claims private necessity.
537:
1096:, and the individual must bear the cost of the greater public good. Courts determine this issue as a matter of public policy.
895:
for trespassing in the farmer's fields but will have to pay for the damage caused to the roses. The farmer will be liable for
1028:
differs from the private necessity doctrine that a trespasser must compensate a property owner for any damage she may cause.
1009:
Is a person liable for the private property of another if destroying that property would prevent an imminent public disaster?
1003:
buildings. Surocco sued the mayor claiming he could have recovered more of his possessions had his house not been blown up.
327:
543:
317:
632:
481:
1130:
665:
649:
216:
176:
1088:
530:
355:
322:
811:
726:
548:
459:
302:
247:
151:
46:
1068:
Must a city compensate a homeowner whose property was damaged in the apprehension by police of a suspect?
686:
660:
579:
469:
464:
426:
221:
181:
168:
1115:
848:
158:
98:
523:
517:
476:
413:
236:
37:
766:
653:
584:
553:
444:
408:
384:
340:
123:
65:
934:
Is compensation required when there is damage to another's property due to a private necessity?
1169:
1149:
804:
711:
706:
696:
691:
507:
486:
350:
296:
283:
231:
191:
1125:
1120:
902:
In
American law, the case most often cited to explain the privilege of private necessity is
856:
852:
701:
574:
502:
403:
336:
278:
186:
163:
105:
93:
1059:
836:
378:
307:
290:
891:
another, that individual must compensate the owner for any damages caused. For example:
896:
844:
756:
512:
394:
312:
114:
60:
55:
1163:
999:
721:
596:
872:
774:
761:
751:
716:
670:
256:
1046:
1016:
787:
627:
360:
226:
141:
1110:
1045:
A suspected felon barricaded himself inside of plaintiff Wegner's house. The
920:
Defendant Lake Erie was at the dock of plaintiff
Vincent to unload cargo from
864:
792:
736:
639:
591:
261:
202:
128:
20:
770:
1050:
746:
606:
369:
266:
88:
876:
601:
569:
449:
271:
644:
611:
860:
421:
1105:
832:
435:
28:
1092:) have used the public necessity doctrine under
869:necessitas inducit privilegium quod jura privata
812:
8:
72:Intentional infliction of emotional distress
819:
805:
212:Negligent infliction of emotional distress
15:
977:conflicting cases illustrate this point:
1015:No. The right of necessity falls under
911:Vincent v. Lake Erie Transportation Co.
734:
678:
619:
561:
494:
434:
393:
368:
335:
246:
201:
113:
80:
45:
27:
906:, 109 Minn. 456, 124 N.W. 221 (1910).
7:
1033:Wegner v. Milwaukee Mutual Ins. Co.
983:Wegner v. Milwaukee Mutual Ins. Co.
14:
1136:Necessity in English criminal law
1089:Lech v. City of Greenwood Village
904:Vincent v. Lake Erie Transp. Co.
786:
538:Ex turpi causa non oritur actio
1:
648:(term used for torts in some
985:479 N.W.2d 38 (Minn 1991).
544:Joint and several liability
1186:
318:Comparative responsibility
633:Non-economic damages caps
1131:Necessity (criminal law)
1049:police department fired
666:Private attorney general
620:Other topics in tort law
248:Principles of negligence
177:Alienation of affections
981:, 3 Cal. 69 (1853) and
531:Volenti non fit injuria
356:Ultrahazardous activity
323:Contributory negligence
549:Market share liability
482:Shopkeeper's privilege
460:Statute of limitations
303:Restitutio ad integrum
152:Intrusion on seclusion
47:Trespass to the person
661:Conflict of tort laws
427:Tortious interference
182:Criminal conversation
169:Malicious prosecution
1116:Trespass to chattels
962:Vincent v. Lake Erie
849:trespass to chattels
159:Breach of confidence
1080:Wegner v. Milwaukee
654:mixed legal systems
524:Respondeat superior
518:Vicarious liability
477:Defence of property
414:Insurance bad faith
328:Attractive nuisance
147:Invasion of privacy
554:Transferred intent
445:Assumption of risk
409:Restraint of trade
385:Rylands v Fletcher
217:Employment-related
66:False imprisonment
888:Private necessity
883:Private necessity
829:
828:
702:England and Wales
657:
508:Last clear chance
503:Intentional torts
487:Neutral reportage
470:Defense of others
418:
351:Product liability
297:Res ipsa loquitur
284:Reasonable person
192:Breach of promise
41:
1177:
1121:Trespass to land
1026:Surocco v. Geary
1024:The decision in
990:Surocco v. Geary
979:Surocco v. Geary
974:Public necessity
969:Public necessity
853:trespass to land
835:common law, the
821:
814:
807:
791:
790:
647:
416:
279:Standard of care
164:Abuse of process
74:
35:
16:
1185:
1184:
1180:
1179:
1178:
1176:
1175:
1174:
1160:
1159:
1144:
1102:
1060:US Constitution
1056:Fifth Amendment
1036:
993:
971:
914:
900:
885:
825:
785:
679:By jurisdiction
379:Public nuisance
308:Rescue doctrine
291:Proximate cause
203:Negligent torts
115:Dignitary torts
70:
12:
11:
5:
1183:
1181:
1173:
1172:
1162:
1161:
1158:
1157:
1143:
1140:
1139:
1138:
1133:
1128:
1123:
1118:
1113:
1108:
1101:
1098:
1076:
1075:
1072:
1069:
1066:
1063:
1043:
1035:
1030:
1022:
1021:
1013:
1010:
1007:
1004:
997:
992:
987:
970:
967:
958:
957:
954:
951:
938:
935:
932:
929:
918:
913:
908:
893:
884:
881:
827:
826:
824:
823:
816:
809:
801:
798:
797:
796:
795:
793:Law portal
780:
779:
778:
777:
764:
759:
754:
749:
741:
740:
732:
731:
730:
729:
724:
719:
714:
709:
707:European Union
704:
699:
694:
689:
681:
680:
676:
675:
674:
673:
668:
663:
658:
642:
637:
636:
635:
622:
621:
617:
616:
615:
614:
609:
604:
599:
594:
589:
588:
587:
582:
577:
564:
563:
559:
558:
557:
556:
551:
546:
541:
534:
527:
520:
515:
513:Eggshell skull
510:
505:
497:
496:
492:
491:
490:
489:
484:
479:
474:
473:
472:
462:
457:
452:
447:
439:
438:
432:
431:
430:
429:
424:
419:
417:(American law)
411:
406:
398:
397:
395:Economic torts
391:
390:
389:
388:
381:
373:
372:
366:
365:
364:
363:
358:
353:
345:
344:
333:
332:
331:
330:
325:
320:
315:
313:Duty to rescue
310:
305:
300:
293:
288:
287:
286:
276:
275:
274:
269:
264:
251:
250:
244:
243:
242:
241:
240:
239:
234:
224:
219:
214:
206:
205:
199:
198:
197:
196:
195:
194:
189:
184:
179:
171:
166:
161:
156:
155:
154:
144:
139:
138:
137:
134:
126:
118:
117:
111:
110:
109:
108:
103:
102:
101:
96:
83:
82:
81:Property torts
78:
77:
76:
75:
68:
63:
58:
50:
49:
43:
42:
32:
31:
25:
24:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1182:
1171:
1168:
1167:
1165:
1155:
1154:0-314-15029-3
1151:
1146:
1145:
1141:
1137:
1134:
1132:
1129:
1127:
1124:
1122:
1119:
1117:
1114:
1112:
1109:
1107:
1104:
1103:
1099:
1097:
1095:
1091:
1090:
1085:
1081:
1073:
1070:
1067:
1064:
1061:
1057:
1052:
1048:
1044:
1041:
1040:
1039:
1034:
1031:
1029:
1027:
1018:
1014:
1011:
1008:
1005:
1001:
1000:San Francisco
998:
995:
994:
991:
988:
986:
984:
980:
975:
968:
966:
963:
955:
952:
948:
943:
939:
936:
933:
930:
927:
923:
919:
916:
915:
912:
909:
907:
905:
898:
892:
889:
882:
880:
878:
874:
870:
866:
862:
858:
854:
850:
846:
842:
838:
834:
822:
817:
815:
810:
808:
803:
802:
800:
799:
794:
789:
784:
783:
782:
781:
776:
772:
768:
765:
763:
760:
758:
755:
753:
750:
748:
745:
744:
743:
742:
738:
733:
728:
727:United States
725:
723:
720:
718:
715:
713:
710:
708:
705:
703:
700:
698:
695:
693:
690:
688:
685:
684:
683:
682:
677:
672:
669:
667:
664:
662:
659:
655:
651:
646:
643:
641:
638:
634:
631:
630:
629:
626:
625:
624:
623:
618:
613:
610:
608:
605:
603:
600:
598:
595:
593:
590:
586:
583:
581:
578:
576:
573:
572:
571:
568:
567:
566:
565:
560:
555:
552:
550:
547:
545:
542:
540:
539:
535:
533:
532:
528:
526:
525:
521:
519:
516:
514:
511:
509:
506:
504:
501:
500:
499:
498:
493:
488:
485:
483:
480:
478:
475:
471:
468:
467:
466:
463:
461:
458:
456:
453:
451:
448:
446:
443:
442:
441:
440:
437:
433:
428:
425:
423:
420:
415:
412:
410:
407:
405:
402:
401:
400:
399:
396:
392:
387:
386:
382:
380:
377:
376:
375:
374:
371:
367:
362:
359:
357:
354:
352:
349:
348:
347:
346:
342:
338:
334:
329:
326:
324:
321:
319:
316:
314:
311:
309:
306:
304:
301:
299:
298:
294:
292:
289:
285:
282:
281:
280:
277:
273:
270:
268:
265:
263:
260:
259:
258:
255:
254:
253:
252:
249:
245:
238:
235:
233:
230:
229:
228:
225:
223:
220:
218:
215:
213:
210:
209:
208:
207:
204:
200:
193:
190:
188:
185:
183:
180:
178:
175:
174:
173:Sexual torts
172:
170:
167:
165:
162:
160:
157:
153:
150:
149:
148:
145:
143:
140:
135:
132:
131:
130:
127:
125:
124:Appropriation
122:
121:
120:
119:
116:
112:
107:
104:
100:
97:
95:
92:
91:
90:
87:
86:
85:
84:
79:
73:
69:
67:
64:
62:
59:
57:
54:
53:
52:
51:
48:
44:
39:
34:
33:
30:
26:
22:
18:
17:
1093:
1087:
1083:
1079:
1077:
1037:
1032:
1025:
1023:
989:
982:
978:
973:
972:
961:
959:
946:
941:
925:
921:
910:
903:
901:
887:
886:
873:self-defense
868:
863:phrase from
840:
830:
752:Criminal law
671:Class action
536:
529:
522:
465:Self-defense
454:
383:
361:Deep pockets
295:
257:Duty of care
19:Part of the
1047:Minneapolis
1017:natural law
628:Tort reform
262:Trespassers
227:Malpractice
222:Entrustment
142:False light
1142:References
1126:Conversion
1111:Common law
865:common law
857:conversion
737:common law
640:Quasi-tort
592:Injunction
585:Incidental
404:Conspiracy
129:Defamation
106:Conversion
21:common law
845:the state
841:necessity
747:Contracts
687:Australia
495:Liability
455:Necessity
343:liability
267:Licensees
187:Seduction
1170:Tort law
1164:Category
1100:See also
1071:Decision
1051:tear gas
1012:Decision
947:Reynolds
942:Reynolds
937:Decision
926:Reynolds
922:Reynolds
762:Property
757:Evidence
607:Replevin
575:Punitive
562:Remedies
436:Defences
370:Nuisance
341:absolute
272:Invitees
99:chattels
89:Trespass
29:Tort law
1094:Surocco
1058:to the
953:Dissent
950:caused.
897:battery
877:damages
837:defense
775:estates
602:Detinue
597:Tracing
580:Special
570:Damages
450:Consent
237:medical
133:Slander
61:Battery
56:Assault
38:Outline
1152:
1086:(e.g.
1084:Wegner
859:. The
843:gives
773:, and
771:trusts
735:Other
722:Taiwan
692:Canada
645:Delict
612:Trover
337:Strict
23:series
1065:Issue
1042:Facts
1006:Issue
996:Facts
931:Issue
917:Facts
861:Latin
855:, or
767:Wills
739:areas
717:Japan
712:India
697:China
650:civil
422:Fraud
232:legal
136:Libel
1150:ISBN
1106:Tort
833:tort
652:and
339:and
94:land
867:is
839:of
831:In
1166::
879:.
851:,
769:,
1156:)
1148:(
820:e
813:t
806:v
656:)
40:)
36:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.