Wisconsin Court Says Double Damages Not Owed Due to Fire

A Wisconsin appeals court has ruled that property owners in Wautoma are not due double damages because of destruction caused by a 2003 forest fire.

Property owners, including a company owned by former state Supreme Court Justice Jon Wilcox, sought about $1.2 million in damages for those responsible for the fire that decimating 572 acres of land in Waushara and Marquette counties.

The victims argued a state law that allows property owners to recover double damages for forest fires set intentionally or by negligence should kick in.

The 4th District Court of Appeals said that the law says only that property owners may receive double damages, it doesn’t require it. The appeals court upheld an earlier ruling denying the double payments.