The New Jersey Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that takes on new significance in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.
The justices will consider a $375,000 judgment awarded to a Long Beach Island couple who claimed dunes created by a beach replenishment project blocked their ocean view. Harvey and Phyllis Karan argued in 2011 the work lowered the value of their $1.9 million property by $500,000.
An expert for the town testified that the couple should be compensated $300 because they were benefiting from the protection afforded by the dune.
An appeals court upheld the award.
New Jersey's highest court will consider whether such awards are excessive.
Long Beach Island was one of the Jersey Shore areas hard hit by Sandy. The storm did millions of dollars of damage to LBI and residents weren’t allowed back on the island for two weeks following the storm.
