<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="8-106" title_number="8" title_name="Telegraph and Telephone Companies" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions">
  <level label="a">
    <text>To obtain an easement, the president and directors of a telegraph or telephone company or a corporation authorized under § 5-410(a)(3) of this article may apply to the circuit court of the county containing the land or bridge where the telegraph, telephone, or electric facilities will be placed to empanel a jury to appraise the loss or damage that will be sustained by the owner or possessor of the land or bridge.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <level label="i">
        <text>The jury shall make a return and inquisition in writing that is signed and sealed by each juror.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The return and inquisition shall state the amount of the loss or damage.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>The county sheriff shall return the jury’s inquisition to the clerk of the circuit court of the county.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The clerk shall file the inquisition with the court.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the court shall confirm the inquisition of the jury and the clerk shall record the inquisition at the expense of the company.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>For good cause, the court may set aside the inquisition and direct another inquisition to be taken as provided in this section.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>When the value of the loss or damage is paid or tendered to the owner of the land or the legal representative of the owner of the land, the company is entitled to the easement as if the owner of the land conveyed the easement to the company.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If the value is not received when tendered, it may be received at any time without costs by the owner of the land or the legal representative of the owner of the land.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
