Research Example: Disputes Between Developers and Existing Homeowners

Here’s a mock research assignment showing how Midpage helps real estate attorneys quickly find the governing law and precedent in disputes involving runoff or flooding from nearby development.

The Scenario

Your client owns a home in Tennessee that borders a new residential development.

After the developer began grading for a large subdivision uphill from her property, heavy rains caused runoff to flood her backyard and crawlspace for the first time in two decades. Sediment from the site washed across her retaining wall, and several trees along the property line were removed during excavation.

The developer insists the project complies with local stormwater permits. Your client believes the work diverted surface water in violation of state nuisance and property laws and she wants to know if the developer can be held liable for the damage.

Step 1: Start with a Proposition Search

Instead of typing general keywords like “developer flooding lawsuit,” you begin with a focused proposition:

Midpage surfaces judicial statements of law that directly address that proposition, not just cases mentioning “runoff.”

Within seconds, you see Tennessee appellate opinions defining when land grading or construction creates actionable liability. AI summaries make it easy to distinguish construction runoff cases from disputes over natural water flow, so you can skip irrelevant opinions right away.

Step 2: Refine with a Yes/No Question

Next, you want to quickly identify outcomes favoring homeowners in similar disputes.

You add a yes/no question:

“Did the Court side with the homeowner?”

Filtering to Yes narrows your results to just those opinions where the plaintiff property owner prevailed, highlighting precedents that support your client’s position.

Within moments, you’re looking at a short list of decisions where courts held developers responsible for unreasonable drainage changes and property damage.

Step 3: Zero in on a Key Case

One case stands out: Lonnie H. Williams v. Estate of James P. Hollingsworth III

Neighboring landowners obtained damages and equitable orders after erosion, siltation, and excessive surface water runoff from a developer’s excavation and road construction damaged their property.

The court affirmed liability and substantial damages against the corporate landowner for failing to remedy drainage issues as required by a prior settlement agreement. The opinion is highly relevant for establishing developer liability when construction activities alter drainage and cause harm to adjacent landowners.

Step 4: Build the Argument Quickly

Within minutes of starting research, you’ve:

• Identified controlling precedent where courts sided with homeowners in runoff disputes which resulted in property damage

• Courts expect developers to follow engineering plans precisely, failure to do so undermines defenses and confirms liability

• Found fact patterns nearly identical to your client’s situation

From here, you can save relevant cases into a Notebook and use Chat with Notebook to:

• Highlight how the court calculated damages tied to remediation costs.

• Pull direct judicial quotes confirming that the diversion of surface water supports liability.

• Draft a persuasive demand letter or complaint citing similar factual patterns

(If you missed our earlier post introducing Chat with Notebook, you can read it here.)

The Takeaway

As development expands into established neighborhoods, runoff and drainage disputes are becoming increasingly common. These cases often hinge on whether a developer’s actions unreasonably altered surface water flow, even when construction appears fully permitted.

Midpage helps real estate attorneys cut through vague search results and zero in on the law that matters. By starting with a proposition, filtering with a yes/no question, you can quickly narrow the field to cases directly relevant to your client’s position. Then, by pinpointing key cases and reviewing AI-generated summaries, you can understand the court’s reasoning and build your argument with confidence.

Whether you represent homeowners, HOAs, or developers, Midpage helps you find the cases that matter fast.

Start using Midpage today and see how easy it is to find the cases that matter!