Marilyn Froling Revocable Living Trust v. Bloomfield Hills Country Club, et al.

This is a consolidated appeal arising out of flooding on residential property located on Rathmor Road in the City of Bloomfield Hills. In Docket No. 275580, plaintiff Marilyn Froling Revocable Living Trust (the Froling Trust) appeals as of right from the trial court's December 21, 2006 order granting the City of Bloomfield Hills (the City), Alan and Marilynne Kiriluk, Roger and Barbara Smith, and Gregg and Cindi Williams (collectively "the neighbors”) summary disposition, and the trial court's order ruling that the neighbors were entitled to attorney fees and costs under MCR 2.405. In Docket No. 277438, the Froling Trust appeals as of right the trial court's March 23, 2007 order awarding the Kiriluks attorney fees and costs. In Docket No. 278383, the Froling Trust appeals as of right the trial court's May 9, 2007 order awarding the neighbors attorney fees and costs, and the neighbors cross-appeal. We affirm in part and reverse in part.

I. Basic Facts And Procedural History

A. The Flooding Of The Frolings' Property

In 1987, Harold Warner owned two adjacent lots on Rathmor Road in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Warner lived in a house on one of the lots, Lot 6. The other lot, directly to the east, Lot 5, was undeveloped. The Kiriluks purchased Lot 5 in January 1987. And in June 1987, William and Marilyn Froling purchased Lot 6. William Froling, an experienced real estate developer, met with Warner, walked around the property, and inspected the catch basins and water drainage system. The Frolings purchased the property "as is.”

In 1989, the Kiriluks began plans to build a house on their property. Before construction of the Kiriluks' house, there had been a natural swale on the southwest corner of the Kiriluks' lot. The swale served to move water away from the Frolings' property. Engineers that the Kiriluks hired proposed a site plan that took into account the existing natural drainage system, and the City approved the plan. However, during construction, the Kiriluks brought in dirt to raise the height of their property, and during re-grading of the lot, the Kiriluks filled in the swale, preventing the natural runoff of water from the southeast corner of the Frolings' property. Despite this alleged deviation from the approved plan, the City permitted the Kiriluks' home for occupancy.

In April 1989, the Frolings began experiencing significant flooding on their property. William Froling testified that during heavy rain that month he witnessed water surging through a culvert constructed under Rathmor Road and flowing onto the south side of the road. The flooding was so severe that the water levels reached up to the steps of the front and back porches of the Frolings' home.

From then on, on numerous occasions following periods of heavy rain or spring thaw, substantial amounts of water would pool on the Frolings' property, particularly on the west and south sides of their home. According to William Froling, the most significant periods of flooding occurred in June 1996, June 1997, June 2001, April and May 2004, and January 2005. During the June 1997 incident, the Frolings' basement was completely flooded, causing over $20,000 in property damage. According to the Frolings, in addition to the Kiriluks' construction, regrading, construction, and redirection of water flow on other neighboring properties, including those owned by the Williams and the Smiths, also contributed to the flooding on their property. In September 1989, William Froling wrote to the City, requesting that it take steps to alleviate any further flooding problems on his property, asserting that it was the City's responsibility to have taken proper precautions when it approved the subdivision plan. Notably, despite claiming that Warner "said he never had any serious water problems while he lived there,” Froling indicated that he was put on notice of potential flooding problems at the time he bought the property:

When I bought the house from Mr. Harold Warner, I asked him why he didn't install lawn sprinklers—and his remark was "Well, live there a year first and I think you will find out you won't need sprinklers!” Of course, I did not know what he meant.

The City hired an engineering firm to investigate the Frolings' flooding complaints, and the investigation revealed that 29 acres of the surrounding property drained into the Frolings' property. (The Frolings also later hired engineers, who determined that 55 acres of the surrounding property drained into their land.) However, the engineers discovered a private drainage system that they opined was probably constructed by the original property owners and that was the likely the responsibility of the owners of the system.

In November 1989, the City wrote a letter to William Froling, stating that the City's policy was to not involve itself in storm water damage in existing subdivisions and that it was the various property owners' responsibility to resolve any storm water drainage problems affecting their property. More specifically, the City explained as follows:

In 1923, when the Donnelly Farms Subdivision was approved, drainage easements or other utility easements were not required by Bloomfield Township, which granted the plat approval. By today's standards, a retention basin with adequate holding capacity and regulated release of storm water would be required.

The City of Bloomfield Hills does not involve itself in storm water drainage concerns, except where new subdivisions are being considered or the property being developed is in a floodplain . . . .

Historically, as property developed, each developer was responsible for their storm water runoff. In the 1960's, the City's concern was to prevent any storm water from entering the sanitary sewer system and this is a continuing concern to the City of Bloomfield Hills and other governmental agencies today.

In addressing stormwater [sic] drainage, each property owner is responsible for their own specific problems—some involve trenching or berming, others with their own storm sewer and culverts, and some have installed retention ponds on their property. Any of these methods implemented, have been at the affected property owner's expense. In some instances, where the drainage solution of one property owner detrimentally affects another, civil action in court results in a workable solution.

In your subdivision, . . . your property is on the lowest elevation. My predecessor, who served the City of Bloomfield Hills for the past forty years, told me he had suggested to the Homeowners Association at one time, that they acquire the vacant lot as a retention pond for stormwater [sic] runoff. However, there was no interest in that proposal, as no one was having drainage problems and the value and location of the property warranted development.

I am not aware of any other stormwater [sic] runoff problems in your subdivision and the solution to your specific problem would appear to be best resolved by accommodating the existing flow of water around your property so as not to affect your home. You can accomplish this by one of the above mentioned methods without involving your neighbor's property; although, you could take this before your Homeowner Association to determine if sufficient interest exists to explore other engineering solutions.

In October 1990, the City wrote to the Frolings again, stating that the cost of installation of any storm drain system to alleviate storm water runoff on private land would be the property owners' responsibility.

In 1995, the Smiths' basement flooded with water. The Smiths blamed the flooding on water coming from the Bloomfield Hills Country Club (the Country Club) and complained to the Country Club's management. The Smiths and the Country Club ultimately agreed on a solution: installation of an underground pipe extending from the golf course directly into a pond on the Smiths' and the Williams' properties. However, this "solution” increased the flow of water onto the Frolings' property. The additional amount of water flowing into the pond forced the pond to overflow with greater frequency. The water coming out of the pond would flow through a drainage ditch that the City had created on the north side of Rathmor Road and then through the culvert in the road onto the lower lying property on the south side of Rathmor Road. In June 1997, the Frolings' property was flooded again, causing a substantial amount of property damage. After that flood, William Froling wrote to the City Commissioners, requesting that it consider construction of a storm water drainage system. In that letter, Froling stated that a neighbor had told him that Warner used a canoe to get off of the property after a heavy rain. Froling claimed that the City erred in approving the Kiriluks' construction and that the City had "confiscated” his property for a retention pond.

The City again hired engineers to study the drainage problems. And in October 1997, the engineers reported their findings to the City's manager, stating that "the existing drainage system is not of a size large enough to adequately handle the upstream drainage during larger storm events.” The engineers drew up a proposed storm drainage system to "be constructed by the home owner.” The engineers estimated that the cost of the project would be approximately $210,000. Residents of Rathmor Road then signed a petition, requesting that the City construct a storm sewer consistent with the engineers' plan and proposing that the construction be paid through general tax revenues. The City rejected the proposal.

In March 2000, the Frolings retained a realtor to market their home. However, the realtor advised them that the flooding problems had to be resolved before the home could be sold. The realtor also advised them that, absent a permanent correction of the flooding problems, the property was "'not saleable' as is.”

In September 2000, after more flooding, William Froling wrote a letter to the City mayor, explaining that during this most recent incident, water was pouring onto their land from every direction, from the east and the Kiriluks' lot, from the north through the culverts under Rathmor Road, and from the golf course to the south. Froling proposed the creation of a special assessment district to construct the storm water system that the City's engineers had proposed.

The City responded that a special assessment would not be established without a petition signed by area residents.

In 2002, the Country Club added multiple pipes to its course for additional drainage. The pipes tied directly into the pipes that already extended to the Smith/William pond. In May 2004, rain fell consistently over an 18-day period, and the Frolings' property was flooded again. The Frolings had to hire workers to pump the floodwater away from their house. In September 2004, the City's engineers submitted another report to the City, suggesting alternative proposals to remedy the storm water drainage problems. The engineers estimated that the updated cost of construction was approximately $350,000. The engineers explained, however, that "these options are to take water away from Mr. Froling's property at property lines or corners,” but they would "do nothing for the water that drains from his property toward the home which is at the lowest point of his 2.5 acre lot.” According to the engineers, "To create positive drainage around his home, substantial more work on his property would need to be done.”

B. The Froling Trust's Complaint

On November 8, 2004, the Froling Trust1 filed the present suit, alleging that, among others,2 the City and the neighbors had taken actions that increased the flow of the water entering the Frolings' property. More specifically, the Froling Trust asserted claims of nuisance and trespass against the neighbors. The Froling Trust also asserted a claim of intentional trespass against the Kiriluks. With respect to the City, the Froling Trust asserted claims of gross negligence and taking by inverse condemnation for not preventing the flooding.

C. The Neighbors' Offer To Stipulate

On January 7, 2005, the neighbors served on the Froling Trust an offer to stipulate to entry of judgment, offering to resolve all of the claims made against them for a total of $100. The offer stated that it was being made "to compromise and settle disputed claims and should not be construed as an admission of any allegation or liability on any claim,” and that "no judgment entered pursuant to this offer shall operate as an adjudication of the merits of any allegation or claim.” The Froling Trust did not respond.

D. The City's Motion For Summary Disposition

In August 2005, the City moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7), (8), and (10), arguing that the governmental immunity doctrine barred the Froling Trust's claims. The City further argued that it was entitled to summary disposition on the Froling Trust's inverse condemnation claim because there was no evidence that the City had taken any direct action against the Frolings' property. In support of its motion, the City presented an affidavit from their engineer, attesting that "[a]ny alleged drainage problems on the Froling property is [sic] not the result of any City sewer or water drainage system.”

After hearing oral arguments on the motion, the trial court granted the City's motion for summary disposition. The trial court ruled that the doctrine of governmental immunity barred the Froling Trust's claims against the City. The trial court also agreed with the City that the Froling Trust's inverse condemnation claim failed because the complaint failed to allege any direct action that the City took against the Frolings' property. Accordingly, the trial court dismissed the City from the action with prejudice.

E. The Neighbors' Motions For Summary Disposition

In March 2006, the neighbors moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7), (8), and (10), arguing that the three-year period of limitations, which began to run at the time that the Frolings first noted flooding on their property in 1989, barred the Froling Trust's trespass and nuisance claims. In connection with this argument, citing Garg v Macomb Co Community Mental Health Services,3 they further contended that the "continuing wrongs” doctrine has been abrogated in Michigan.

After hearing oral arguments on the motion, the trial court first found that a claim for flooding, like the Froling Trust alleged, accrues at the time the land was first visibly damaged. The trial court explained that damages that accrue at a later date do not renew the limitations period or give rise to a new cause of action. Quoting this Court in Horvath v Delida,4 the trial court stated that "'a continuing wrong is established by continual tortious acts, not by continual harmful effects from an original, completed act.'” The trial court then concluded that the evidence established that the Frolings knew that the land was first visibly damaged in 1989; thus, the court stated that it needed to address the evidence that supported a continuing act separately with regard to each defendant. The trial court found that the Froling Trust had failed to produce evidence that the Kiriluks and the Williams made any recent changes to the land in the three years preceding the complaint that could give rise to a finding of a new tortious act. With respect to the Smiths, however, the trial court found that a genuine issue of material fact remained regarding whether the Smiths' installation of a new outlet pipe on their property had contributed to flooding on the Frolings' property. Accordingly, the trial court granted summary disposition to the Kiriluks and the Williams, but denied summary disposition as to the Smiths. The Smiths later renewed their motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (C)(10), again arguing that the statute of limitations barred the Froling Trust's claims. Following a hearing on the motion, the trial court granted the Smiths' motion because further evidentiary discovery supported that there was no genuine issue of material fact that the Smiths took no action on their property within the applicable three-year period.

F. The Neighbors' Motions for Costs And Attorney Fees

The Kiriluks moved for partial costs and attorneys fees in the amount of $35,861.27 with regard to their representation by Potter, DeAgostino, Campbell & O'Dea (the Potter Firm), the latter of two law firms that represented the Kiriluks. The Kiriluks argued that the Froling Trust's claims were frivolous and that the Kiriluks were entitled to fees and costs under the offer of judgment rule.5 The Kiriluks also moved for costs in the amount of $146,793.44 with regard to their representation by Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, LLP (Honigman Miller), the law firm that initially represented the Kiriluks and also jointly represented the Williams and the Smiths. The Kiriluks again asserted the offer of judgment rule in support of their motion. Also citing the offer of judgment rule, the Williams moved for costs in the amount of $89,953.28 with regard to their representation by Honigman Miller.

The trial court held that the Kiriluks and the Williams were entitled to an award of attorney fees and costs, but the trial court reserved its ruling on the amount of the award pending an evidentiary hearing. After holding an evidentiary hearing on the motion for attorney fees and costs, the trial court awarded the Kiriluks attorney fees and costs in the amount of $35,861.27 related to the Potter Firm's representation. The trial court also awarded attorney fees and costs in the amount of $91,076.99 for the Kiriluks and $79,702.66 for the Williams related to Honigman Miller's representation.

The Smiths, citing the offer of judgment rule, also moved for costs in the amount of $158,630.94 with regard to their representation by Honigman Miller. The trial court held that the Smiths were entitled to an award of attorney fees and costs, and after holding an evidentiary hearing, the trial court awarded $140,181.32 to the Smiths related to Honigman Miller's representation.

G. The Present Appeals

In January 2007, the Froling Trust appealed the trial court's orders granting the City and the neighbors summary disposition, and the trial court's orders ruling that the neighbors were entitled to attorney fees and costs under MCR 2.405. In May 2007, the Froling Trust appealed as of right the trial court's order awarding the Kiriluks attorney fees and costs related to the Potter Firm's representation. And in May 2007, the Froling Trust appealed as of right the trial court's order awarding the neighbors attorney fees and costs related to Honigman Miller's representation, and the neighbors cross-appealed.

II. Motions for Summary Disposition

A. Standard Of Review

Under MCR 2.116(C)(7), a party may move for summary disposition on the ground that a statute of limitations bars the claim. MCR 2.116(C)(7) also provides that a party may move for summary disposition on the ground that governmental immunity bars the claim. Under MCR 2.116(C)(8), a party may move for summary disposition on the ground that the opposing party has failed to state a claim on which relief can be granted. And under MCR 2.116(C)(10), a party may move for summary disposition on the ground that there is no genuine issue with respect to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Although review under MCR 2.116(C)(8) allows only consideration of the pleadings, our review under MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (10) also must include consideration of all documentary evidence submitted by the parties.6 More specifically, under MCR 2.116(C)(7), the plaintiff's well-pleaded factual allegations, affidavits, or other admissible documentary evidence must be accepted as true and construed in the plaintiff's favor, unless the movant contradicts such evidence with documentation.7 Under MCR 2.116(C)(10), the moving party must specifically identify the undisputed factual issues and support its position with documentary evidence.8 The trial court must consider all the documentary evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.9

We review de novo a trial court's ruling on a motion for summary disposition,10 whether a cause of action is barred by a statute of limitations,11 and the applicability of governmental immunity.12

B. The Neighbors' Motions For Summary Disposition

1. Statute Of Limitations And The Continuing Wrongs Doctrine Claims of property damage are subject to a three-year period of limitations. Specifically, MCL 600.5805 states:

(1) A person shall not bring or maintain an action to recover damages for injuries to persons or property unless, after the claim first accrued to the plaintiff or to someone through whom the plaintiff claims, the action is commenced within the periods of time prescribed by this section.

* * *

(10) The period of limitations is 3 years after the time of the death or injury for all other actions to recover damages for the death of a person, or for injury to a person or property. And, according the accrual statute, the period of limitations begins to run from the time the claim accrues, which is "the time the wrong upon which the claim is based was done regardless of the time when damage results.”13

The Michigan Supreme Court, however, has long recognized an exception to application of a statutory period of limitations "[w]here there are continuing wrongful acts.”14 Under the doctrine, sometimes referred to as the "continuing wrongs doctrine,” when the nuisance is of a continuing nature, the period of limitations does not begin to run on the occurrence of the first wrongful act; rather, the period of limitations will not begin to run until the continuing wrong is abated.15 This Court later confirmed that the doctrine applied in nuisance and trespass cases.16 In light of this doctrine, the Froling Trust contends that when it filed this case in November 2004, it presumed that the continuing wrongs doctrine barred application of the applicable statute of limitations. The Froling Trust goes on to concede, however, that in May 2005, the Michigan Supreme Court issued its opinion in Garg v Macomb Co Community Mental Health Services.17

In Garg,18 the Michigan Supreme Court overruled application of the "continuing violations” doctrine as applied in Sumner v Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.19 In Sumner, the Court followed federal precedent and applied a "continuing violations” doctrine to a civil rights employment discrimination action.20 But in Garg, the Court held that the doctrine was contrary to the statute of limitations in MCL 600.5805(10).21 According to the Court, the Legislature expressly chose to limit commencement of claims for an adverse employment act to within three years of each action by a defendant:

Section 5805 does not say that a claim outside this three-year period can be revived if it is somehow "sufficiently related” to injuries occurring within the limitations period. Rather, the statute simply states that a plaintiff "shall not” bring a claim for injuries outside the limitations period. Nothing in these provisions permits a plaintiff to recover for injuries outside the limitations period when they are susceptible to being characterized as "continuing violations.” To allow recovery for such claims is simply to extend the limitations period beyond that which was expressly established by the Legislature.[22]

The neighbors argue that the holding in Garg completely abrogates use of the continuing wrongs doctrine in Michigan. However, as the Froling Trust points out, Garg and Sumner dealt with employment discrimination claims. And, the Froling Trust notes, in Dep't of Environmental Quality v Bulk Petroleum Corp,23 this Court appeared to suggest in a footnote that Garg's abrogation of the "continuing wrongs” doctrine was limited to the civil rights context. In Bulk Petroleum Corp, after stating that the continuing wrongs doctrine has only been applied in the limited context of nuisance, trespass, and civil rights cases, the Court then noted in a footnote that Garg abrogated use of the doctrine in "claims filed under the Civil Rights Act, MCL 37.2101, et seq., and the Persons With Disabilities Civil Rights Act, MCL 37.1101, et seq.”24 Therefore, the Froling Trust argues that Garg was a limited decision and does not apply to bar this present cause of action for nuisance and trespass.

The law relating to the current viability of the continuing wrongs doctrine in the context of nuisance and trespass claims is hopelessly confused.25 Notably, this confusion might be due to the fact that several different terms have been used to refer to the same doctrine, including, for example, "continuing wrongs doctrine,” "continuing violations doctrine,” "continuing-wrongfulacts doctrine,” and "continuing tort doctrine.”

Numerous panels of this Court have since the issuance of Garg had the opportunity to consider continuing wrongs arguments. However, most of these decisions have been unpublished,26 and unpublished decisions have no precedential value.27 Besides Bulk Petroleum Corp, only three other panels of this Court have issued published opinions addressing the doctrine. Six months before this Court released Bulk Petroleum Corp in September 2007, a panel of this Court issued a published decision in Schaendorf v Consumers Energy Co in March 2007.28 In that case, this Court cited Garg and concluded that "the continuing-wrongful-acts doctrine is no longer viable with respect to claims arising beyond the period of limitations.”29 Accordingly, the panel held that the trial court erred in not dismissing the plaintiffs' nuisance claim.30

On April 15, 2008, a panel of this Court issued an unpublished opinion in Dep't of Environmental Quality v Waterous Co.31 In that case, the panel concluded that the continuing wrongs doctrine applied to an action alleging a recurrent nuisance.32 The case was later approved for publication on June 24, 2008.

Meanwhile, on April 22, 2008, another panel of this Court issued a published opinion in Terlecki v Stewart.33 In Terlecki, this Court addressed the plaintiffs' claims for nuisance and trespass as a result of flooding on their property.34 The defendants argued that the plaintiffs' claims were time-barred because the conduct that allegedly caused the flooding occurred more than three years before the plaintiffs filed their lawsuit in October 2005.35 The plaintiffs countered that the continuing wrongs doctrine saved their claims.36 The defendants responded, arguing first that Horvath made clear that the doctrine did not apply when the alleged wrongful acts are finite and only continuing harmful effects remained.37 The defendants then argued alternatively that, in light of Garg, the continuing wrongs doctrine no longer existed in Michigan.38

In considering the parties' arguments, the Terlecki panel looked to Garg and concluded that Garg was not limited to discrimination cases because in that case the Court was looking at the plain text of the limitations and accrual statutes when it held that the "'the doctrine has no continued place in the jurisprudence of this state.'”39 Therefore, applying Garg, the Terlecki panel concluded that the continuing wrongs doctrine did not apply and that the timeliness of the plaintiffs' claims needed to be determined by the plain text of MCL 600.5805(10) alone.40 The Court additionally concluded that, even applying the continuing wrongs doctrine, the defendants correctly argued that, under Horvath, plaintiffs' claim was barred when the last cognizable tortious act occurred more than three years before the plaintiffs' filed their lawsuit, regardless of any subsequent harmful effects.41

As can been seen from the line of recent published cases addressing the continuing wrongs doctrine, there is a clear conflict regarding its continued viability in cases alleging nuisance and trespass. Despite this conflict, we follow the holding and rationale of Schaendorf and Terlecki to the extent that they adopt Garg as applying beyond the context of civil rights claims to completely abrogate the continuing wrongs doctrine in trespass and nuisance actions as well. Under the "first out” rule of MCR 7.215(J)(1), we must follow the rule of law established by a prior published opinion of this Court issued on or after November 1, 1990. Therefore, the Bulk Petroleum Corp and Waterous Co panels should have followed Schaendorf or declared a conflict under MCR 7.215(J)(2). Because neither Bulk Petroleum Corp nor Waterous Co declared such a conflict, Schaendorf is the controlling precedent, and we are obligated to reject Bulk Petroleum Corp and Waterous Co to the extent that they conflict with the complete abrogation of the continuing wrongs doctrine in the jurisprudence of this state.

The Froling Trust also argues that Garg and its progeny should not apply because they were not issued until after the Froling Trust filed this cause of action. The neighbors point out that decisions are retroactive unless "'exigent circumstances' justify the 'extreme measure' of prospective-only application.”42 The Froling Trust nevertheless counters that MCL 600.5869 precludes us from following Garg. MCL 600.5869 states that "[a]ll actions and rights shall be governed and determined according to the law under which the right accrued, in respect to the limitations of such actions or right of entry.” According to the Froling Trust, "the law under which the right accrued” in this case was the continuing wrongs doctrine.

However, the Michigan Supreme Court recently abolished another common-law modification to the Legislature's statutory scheme of periods of limitations and, in so doing, gave its decision retroactive application despite the language of MCL 600.5869. In Trentadue v Buckler Automatic Lawn Sprinkler Co,43 the Court considered whether the common-law discovery rule (which allowed tolling of the statutory period of limitations when a plaintiff could not have reasonably discovered the elements of a cause of action within the limitations period), could toll the period of limitations under MCL 600.5805(10), or whether MCL 600.5827, the accrual statute, alone governed the time of accrual. The Court ultimately concluded that MCL 600.5827 alone controlled "because the statutory scheme is exclusive and thus precludes this common law practice of tolling accrual based on discovery in cases where none of the statutory tolling provisions apply.”44 In so holding, the Court specifically rejected application of MCL 600.5869 to allow lower courts to continue using the discovery rule.45 The Court explained that MCL 600.5869 "does not require use of the rule, . . . . Rather, the rule is judge-made law that has been applied on a case-by-case basis.”46 Moreover, allowing lower courts to continue using the discovery rule "would render [the Court's] opinion paradoxically meaningless because [its] holding would not apply to events occurring any time before the day [it] decided this case; although a claim that accrues tomorrow will be subject to the relevant statutory period and exceptions, a claim that accrued in 1986 may be brought at any time in the future, indefinitely.”47

After noting the general rule of retroactive application, the Court then explained:

Even when a decision meets the threshold criterion for prospective application because it clearly establishes a new principle of law, we must consider: "(1) the purpose to be served by the new rule, (2) the extent of reliance on the old rule, and (3) the effect of retroactivity on the administration of justice.” Here, prospective-only application is inappropriate. First, the very purpose of our holding is to respect limits the Legislature has placed on [the] plaintiffs' abilities to revive suits relying on events occurring in the distant past; prospective application is therefore directly opposed to our resolve to honor the Legislature's policy choice. Moreover, as we already explained, the very nature of the discovery rule defies any reliance on its operation. Finally, the administration of justice is not significantly affected because the rights and interests of plaintiffs and defendants are opposed in these matters; although plaintiffs may be denied relief for stale claims, defendants and the judiciary are relieved from having to defend and decide cases based on deteriorated evidence.[48]

The same rationale applies with regard to the continuing wrongs doctrine. The purpose of the holdings in Garg and its progeny was to respect the limits the Legislature has placed on a plaintiff's ability to revive a suit by relying on events occurring in the distant past for which only the damaging effects remain. Further, the nature of the continuing wrongs doctrine, in direct conflict with the statute of limitations and the accrual statute, defies any reliance on its operation.

Finally, just as with the discovery rule, the administration of justice is not significantly affected because the rights and interests of plaintiffs and defendants are opposed in these matters. Although plaintiffs may be denied relief for stale claims, defendants and the judiciary are relieved from having to defend and decide cases based on deteriorated evidence.

Accordingly, we conclude that Garg and it progeny completely and retroactively abrogated the common-law continuing wrongs doctrine in the jurisprudence of this state, including in nuisance and trespass cases. Therefore, the Froling Trust's arguments fail to the extent that it relies on that doctrine to save its claims.

2. Applying The Plain Language Of MCL 600.5805(10)

The Froling Trust nevertheless argues that, even in the event that we interpret Garg as requiring application of the plain language of MCL 600.5805(10), the trial court erred in dismissing its claims because, under subsection (10), a plaintiff may file a claim anytime within three years following the "time of the . . . injury.” And the Froling Trust claims that the flooding in May 2004, the time of the Froling Trust's last alleged "injury,” would be the proper point at which to begin the running of the period of limitations. According to the Froling Trust, case law interpreting the accrual statute confirms that the period of limitations begins to run when damage is done, rather than when the conduct was done. As stated, MCL 600.5805 provides:

(1) A person shall not bring or maintain an action to recover damages for injuries to persons or property unless, after the claim first accrued to the plaintiff or to someone through whom the plaintiff claims, the action is commenced within the periods of time prescribed by this section.

* * *

(10) The period of limitations is 3 years after the time of the death or injury for all other actions to recover damages for the death of a person, or for injury to a person or property. [Emphasis added.]

And, according to the accrual statute, a period of limitations begins to run from the time the claim accrues, which is "the time the wrong upon which the claim is based was done regardless of the time when damage results.”49

In Trentadue, the Court explained that because under MCL 600.5827 "'[t]he wrong is done when the plaintiff is harmed rather than when the defendant acted,'” the statute was "perfectly consistent” with MCL 600.5805(10).50 This statement stems from the Court's decision in Stephens v Dixon,51 in which it stated: "We have held that the term 'wrong,' as used in the accrual provision, refers to the date on which the plaintiff was harmed by the defendant's negligent act, not the date on which the defendant acted negligently.” In other words, Once all of the elements of an action for . . . injury, including the element of damage, are present, the claim accrues and the statute of limitations begins to run.

Later damages may result, but they give rise to no new cause of action, nor does the statute of limitations begin to run anew as each item of damage is incurred.[52]

The operation of these principles can be seen in a case with similar factual circumstances. In Terlecki, the defendants' last negligent conduct was in 2001 when they capped a pipe running through a culvert near the plaintiffs' property.53 That same year, the plaintiffs began experiencing flooding and tree damage on their property.54 Applying the plain language of MCL 600.5805(10) and MCL 600.5827 to the plaintiffs' cause of action for nuisance and trespass, this Court concluded that, despite that fact that the plaintiffs continued to suffer flooding and tree damage after 2001, the last possible date that the plaintiffs' claim could have accrued was in 2001, when both the last conduct and first, subsequent corresponding injury occurred.55 Accordingly, contrary to the Froling Trust's interpretation of the statutes, its claims are still timebarred.

Here, William Froling's testimony revealed that the Kiriluks' last action with regard to drainage of water on their lot was in November 1998. (Throughout their brief the Kiriluks claim that the last act was done in 1997; however, William Froling testified that, to his knowledge, the Kiriluks had not "done anything else with regard to [their] property . . . since November 18th of 1998.”) The Smiths' last allegedly wrongful conduct occurred in 1995 or 1996, and the Williams' last allegedly wrongful conduct occurred in 1997. Therefore, William Froling's testimony established that the last act of any of the three neighboring defendants at issue occurred in 1998. And the Froling Trust alleged that the Frolings next experienced flooding in June 2001. Therefore, it was when this June 2001 flooding occurred that the Froling Trust suffered its first harm from the neighbors' last negligent act. In other words, after the last of the neighbors allegedly acted negligently in 1998, the harm first occurred, or accrued,56 in June 2001. Accordingly, the subsequent flooding in May 2004 could only have been the continued result of the neighbors' completed conduct. Subsequent claims of additional harm caused by one act do not restart the claim previously accrued. For the purposes of accrual, there need only be one wrong and one injury to begin the running of the period of limitations. In sum, the accrual of the claim occurs when both the act and the injury first occur, that is when the "wrong is done.” Here, the Froling Trust's last claim first accrued with the flooding in June 2001. Thus, to be timely, the Froling Trust needed to file its claim by June 2004. But because it did not file its claim until November 2004, the Froling Trust's claims were time-barred. Accordingly, we conclude that, applying the plain language of MCL 600.5805(10), the trial court properly granted the neighbors summary disposition on the ground that the Froling Trust's claim was untimely.

3. Discovery Not Yet Complete

The Froling Trust argues that the trial court erred in dismissing the Froling Trust's claims against the Smiths and the Williams because it was not given the opportunity to depose them regarding whether they approved the Country Club's actions in 2001 and 2002, tying its drainage pipes to the pipes that flowed into the Smith/Williams pond.

Generally, summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10) is premature if it is granted before discovery on a disputed issue is complete.57 However, the mere fact that the discovery period remains open does not automatically mean that the trial court's decision to grant summary disposition was untimely or otherwise inappropriate. "The question is whether further discovery stands a fair chance of uncovering factual support for the opposing party's position.”58 In addition, a party opposing summary disposition cannot simply state that summary disposition is premature without identifying a disputed issue and supporting that issue with independent evidence.59 The party opposing summary disposition must offer the required MCR 2.116(H) affidavits, with the probable testimony to support their contentions.60

Here, the Froling Trust argues that it should have been allowed to conduct further discovery so that it could determine whether the Smiths and the Williams had any involvement in the Country Club's 2001 and 2002 conduct of tying-in pipes to flow into the Smith/Williams pond. However, the Froling Trust has not shown that there was a fair chance that further discovery would have revealed any evidence of the Smiths' or Williams' involvement with the Country Club and its conduct. Significantly, the Froling Trust fails to offer an affidavit that supports that any such evidence even exists. Indeed, to the contrary, the Smiths and Williams have provided affidavits in which they attest that they had no knowledge of the Country Club's conduct.

Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not err in granting the Smiths and the Williams summary disposition because there is no merit to the Froling Trust's argument that discovery was premature.

C. The City's Motion For Summary Disposition

1. Governmental Immunity

The Froling Trust argues that the trial court erred in dismissing the Froling Trust's claims against the City on the basis of governmental immunity61 because the trial court failed to consider the "sewer disposal system event” exception to governmental immunity.62 However, as the City argues, and as counsel for the Froling Trust conceded at oral argument, the Froling Trust waived this argument regarding the sewage disposal system event exception by not properly preserving it in the lower court proceedings. Accordingly, we conclude that there is no merit to the Froling Trust's argument that the trial court erred in granting the City summary disposition on the ground of governmental immunity. 59 Bellows v Delaware McDonald's Corp, 206 Mich App 555, 561; 522 NW2d 707 (1994); see also MCR 2.116(H)(1) ("A party may show by affidavit that the facts necessary to support the party's position cannot be presented because the facts are known only to persons whose affidavits the party cannot procure.”)

2. Inverse Condemnation

The Froling Trust argues that the trial court erred in dismissing the Froling Trust's inverse condemnation claim against the City because it erred in finding that the Froling Trust failed to allege any affirmative action by the City directed at the Frolings' property. A taking for purposes of inverse condemnation means that governmental action has permanently deprived the property owner of any possession or use of the property.63 When such a taking occurs, the Michigan Constitution entitles the property owner to compensation for the value of the property taken.64 A plaintiff alleging inverse condemnation must prove a causal connection between the government's action and the alleged damages.65 For a taking to occur, "there must be some action by the government specifically directed toward the plaintiff's property that has the effect of limiting the use of property.”66 In other words, the plaintiff must prove that the government's actions were a substantial cause of the decline of the plaintiff's property and must establish that the government abused its legitimate powers in affirmative actions directly aimed at the plaintiff's property.67 In determining whether a taking occurred, the form, intensity, and deliberateness of the governmental actions toward the injured party's property must be examined.68

For example, in Attorney General v Ankerson, this Court concluded that the state's licensing of a person or corporation to conduct a private business could not be regarded as a taking of private property for public use and that the state's alleged misfeasance in licensing and supervising the operation did not constitute affirmative actions directed at the property.69 Likewise, in Hinojosa v Dep't of Natural Resources,70 this Court concluded that the state's failure to compensate neighboring property owners for damage caused by fire that spread from a state-owned abandoned house was not an unconstitutional taking because the state took no direct action toward the plaintiffs' properties.

Here, the Froling Trust argues that the City has taken the Frolings' property for public use because the City has refused to construct a drainage system to cure their private water problems and because the City approved the Kiriluks' construction plans. However, the Froling Trust's claim must fail because it has not alleged any affirmative action by the City directly aimed at the Frolings' property. Further, because the Froling Trust's claim is without merit, the trial court did not err in not giving the Froling Trust another opportunity to amend its complaint.71

Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not err in dismissing the Froling Trust's inverse condemnation claim because there is no merit to its claim when it failed to allege any affirmative action by the City directed at the Frolings' property.

III. Attorney Fees And Costs

A. Standard Of Review

We review for clear error the findings of fact underlying an award of attorney fees.72 "A finding is clearly erroneous when, although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire record is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake was made.”73 We review de novo underlying questions of law,74 and we also review de novo the interpretation and application of the offer of judgment rule.75

B. The Neighbors' Entitlement To Attorney Fees And Costs Under MCR 2.405

Generally, attorney fees are not recoverable as an element of costs or damages unless expressly allowed by statute, court rule, common-law exception, or contract.76 Under MCR 2.405, the offer of judgment rule, a party may serve on his or her opponent a written offer to stipulate to the entry of a judgment.77 The purpose of the offer of judgment rule is to avoid protracted litigation and encourage settlement.78 If the opponent rejects the offer and the adjusted verdict is more favorable to the offerer than the average offer, the offering party may recover actual costs from the offeree.79 An offer is rejected if not accepted as required by the court rule, including the failure to respond.80 A judgment resulting from a grant of summary disposition is a verdict for purposes of imposing sanctions pursuant to MCR 2.405.81

The Froling Trust argues, in pertinent part, that MCR 2.405(A)(1) was not properly applied in this case because the neighbors' offer was not an offer of judgment as the court rule defines, but rather an offer of settlement. The neighbors' offer stated:

Pursuant to MCR 2.405, Defendants Alan Kiriluk and Marilynne Kiriluk, Roger B. Smith and Barbara Smith, and Gregg Williams and Cindi Williams offer to resolve all of the claims brought in Plaintiff's Complaint by entry of a judgment in the amount of $100.00 against Defendants Alan Kiriluk and Marilynne Kiriluk, Roger B. Smith and Barbara Smith, and Gregg Williams and Cindi Williams and in favor of Plaintiff. This offer is made to compromise and settle disputed claims and shall not be construed as an admission of any allegation or liability on any claim. Further, no judgment entered pursuant to this offer shall operate as an adjudication of the merits of any allegation or claim.

This Court has explained that an offer of settlement is not the same as an offer of judgment.82

An agreement to settle does not necessarily result in a judgment. Although it usually results in a stipulated order of dismissal with prejudice, such an order does not constitute an adjudication on the merits. It merely "signifies the final ending of a suit, not a final judgment on the controversy, but an end of that proceeding.”

The plain language of MCR 2.405(A)(1) clearly requires an offer of judgment, not just an offer to settle.[83]

"Unlike the traditional settlement process that involves negotiations between the parties as well as compromise, an offer of judgment is a unilateral attempt to conclude a lawsuit without necessarily exercising arms length negotiations.84

MCR 2.405 offer of judgment is more akin to adjudication and entry of judgment based on the merits.

[A]n offer of judgment more nearly emulates a judgment after a trial rather than a form of settlement. . . . [T]he key defining point is that private party settlement or mediation involve collective consideration of the facts favoring each party, discussion of the issues, arms-length negotiation and compromise, and contemplation of both entry of judgment and dismissal of the action, whereas an offer of judgment is a unilateral act seeking final resolution of a controversy with sanction of a court by entry of an enforceable judgment. This unilateral act results from a party's independent evaluation of the merits of the case with an eye toward complete resolution of the matter.[85]

"[A] judgment entered pursuant to the acceptance of an offer of judgment under MCR 2.405 functions as a full and final adjudication on the merits”86 Further, "[r]es judicata applies to consent judgments.”87

Here, the record demonstrates that the neighbors' offer was a unilateral attempt, based on their independent evaluation of the merits of the case, to conclude the lawsuit without the need for engaging in arms-length negotiation and compromise. And the neighbors' clearly offered to resolve the pending claims for a sum certain "by entry of a judgment in the amount of $100.00 against” them.88 However, this was not the complete offer. Rather, the following conditions were attached: "This offer is made to compromise and settle disputed claims and shall not be construed as an admission of any allegation or liability on any claim. Further, no judgment entered pursuant to this offer shall operate as an adjudication of the merits of any allegation or claim.”

The impact of these conditions leaves open the possibility of future lawsuits because the language effectively bars the application of res judicata in the future. What the neighbors were seeking was not truly entry of a "judgment” as contemplated by MCR 2.405(A)(1), which judgment has all the attributes of a judgment after full litigation, is considered a final adjudication on the merits, and implicates the doctrine of res judicata. The neighbors' offer was in actuality a disguised attempt simply to enter a stipulated order of dismissal. The offer did not reflect a willingness to stipulate to entry of a real judgment. Rather, the offer only reflected a willingness to pay the Froling Trust $100 without the strings or attributes of a true judgment being attached. We therefore conclude that the offer failed to meet the requirements of MCR 2.405(A)(1). It would belie the function of MCR 2.405 to allow a defendant to offer an entry of a judgment but condition such offer on the judgment not having the effect of an ordinary judgment on the merits.

Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court erred in concluding that the neighbors were entitled to an award of attorney fees and costs under MCR 2.405.

C. The Froling Trust's Remaining Arguments

Given our above conclusion on the Froling Trust's argument raised in Docket No. 275580, that the trial court erred in awarding attorney fees and costs to the neighbors under MCR 2.405, we conclude that the trial court similarly erred in awarding attorney fees and costs in Docket No. 277438. Therefore, we need not further address the Froling Trust's arguments in Docket No. 277438 regarding the trial court's award of attorney fees and costs, specifically with respect to the Kiriluks, including the portion of the award of awarding $35,000 in attorney fees to the Potter Firm for its representation of the Kiriluks. Because we also conclude that the trial court similarly erred in awarding attorney fees and costs in Docket No. 278383, we need not further address the Froling Trust's arguments in Docket No. 278383 regarding the trial court's award of attorney fees and costs with respect to the neighbors, including the portion of the award of awarding $310,000 in attorney fees to Honigman Miller.

D. The Neighbors' Arguments On Cross-Appeal

Given our above conclusion on the Froling Trust's argument raised in Docket No. 275580, that the trial court erred in awarding attorney fees and costs to the neighbors under MCR 2.405, we need not further address the Smiths' and the Williams' arguments on cross-appeal in Docket No. 278383, regarding the trial court's award of attorney fees and costs to them. Similarly, we need not further address the Kiriluks' arguments on cross-appeal in Docket No. 278383, regarding the trial court's award of attorney fees and costs to them.

* * *

See: http://coa.courts.mi.gov/documents/OPINIONS/FINAL/COA/20090409_C275580_153_275580.OPN.PDF

Affirmed in part and reversed in part. No taxable costs pursuant to MCR 7.219, neither party having prevailed in full.