
    
      OPINION ISSUED OCTOBER 24, 2001
    PETER D. HOPPER and KATHLEEN F. HOPPER VS. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
    (CC-01-100)
    Claimant appeared pro se.
    
    Xueyan Zhang, Attorney at Law, for respondent.
   PER CURIAM:

This claim was submitted to the Court for decision upon a Stipulation entered into by claimant and respondent wherein certain facts and circumstances of the claim were agreed to as follows:

1. Claimant, Peter Hopper, was traveling on Route 22 in Sardis, Harrison County, when the oil pan on his vehicle struck a very high center of pavement in the road causing the oil pan to rupture.

2. Respondent was responsible for the maintenance of Route 22 at this location in Harrison County and respondent failed to maintain Route 22 in proper condition on the date of this incident.

3. As a result of this incident, claimant’s vehicle sustained damage in the amount of $272.39.

4. Respondent agrees that the amount of damages as put forth by the claimant is fair and reasonable.

The Court has reviewed the facts of the claim as stated in the stipulation and adopts the statement of facts as its own. The Court finds that respondent was negligent in its maintenance of Route 22 in Sardis, Taylor County, on the date of this incident; that the negligence of respondent was the proximate cause of the damages sustained to claimant’s vehicle; and that the amount of the damages agreed to by the parties is fair and reasonable. Thus, claimants may make a recovery for their sustained loss.

Accordingly, the Court is of the opinion to and does make an award in the amount of $272.39.

Award of $272.39.  