Crowe Dunlevy Secures Appellate Reversal in Municipal Liability Dispute

Crowe Dunlevy represented property owners in litigation alleging that municipal drainage and sewage issues caused long-term damage to their property. After a five-day jury trial resulted in a defense verdict and an award of attorney fees and costs against the clients, the Firm pursued an appeal challenging several key trial court rulings. The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals agreed that the trial court improperly instructed the jury regarding the applicable liability standard under the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act and improperly limited questioning of municipal witnesses on issues relevant to the claims. The appellate court reversed the judgment, vacated the attorney fee award, and remanded the case for further proceedings. The ruling revived the clients’ claims, eliminated substantial financial liability, and restored the opportunity to pursue recovery for the alleged property damage.