TagJustia(3)

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington – 280 F. Supp. 2d 1207 (W.D. Wash. 2003) August 18, 2003 280 F. Supp. 2d 1207 (2003) AIRPORT COMMUNITIES COALITION, Plaintiff, v. Colonel Ralph H. GRAVES, Commander and District Engineer of the Seattle District, United States Army Corps of Engineers; United States Army Corps of

94 Wn.2d 479 (1980) 618 P.2d 67 TOM E. PETERSEN, ET AL, Appellants, v. THE PORT OF SEATTLE, Respondent. No. 45817. The Supreme Court of Washington, En Banc. October 9, 1980. As amended by order November 10, 1980. Schweppe, Doolittle, Krug, Tausend & Beezer; by Dexter A. Washburn, Jones, Grey & Bayley, by E. Michele

A Landmark Case on Airport Noise, Property Rights, and Limitations. When homeowners living near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport sought compensation for plummeting property values caused by constant aircraft noise, they set the stage for a pivotal 1960 Washington Supreme Court ruling. In *Cheskov v. Port of Seattle*, the court tackled two critical legal questions: Could the Port of Seattle be held liable for property damage caused by airport noise and vibration? And could airlines be held responsible for occasional low-altitude flights over private land? While the court acknowledged that plaintiffs suffered real, substantial property damage, their claims against the Port were ultimately barred by the statute of limitations. Meanwhile, the airlines faced findings of technical trespass — but only nominal damages were awarded. Each of the various opportunities for homeowners has long since been barred by Federal and State statutes.