Posts from the ‘Cases’ category

Failure to Consider Safety Element in Design Does Not Preclude Public Entity’s Discretionary Authority Under Design Immunity Defense

In Rodriguez v. Department of Transportation, Case No. F074027 (March 27, 2018), the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District considered the following mind-twister: Can you…

In a Win for Property Owners California Court Expands and Clarifies Privette Doctrine

We’ve written before about the Privette doctrine, which generally holds that a higher-tiered party is not liable for injuries sustained by employees of a lower-tiered party…

And the Winner Is . . . The Right to Repair Act!

Civil litigation attorneys often talk about “damages.” Because without damages . . . well . . . you’re out of luck. But damages come in different…

California Court Broadly Interprets Insurance Policy’s “Liability Arising Out of” Language

In McMillin Mgmt. Servs. v. Financial Pacific Ins. Co., Cal.Ct.App. (4th Dist.), Docket No. D069814 (filed 11/14/17), the California Court of Appeal held that the term…

In a Win for Design Professionals, California Court of Appeals Holds That Relation-Back Doctrine Does Not Apply to Certificate of Merit Law

The year was 1995. The old guard was still in power in Sacramento. “Button-Down” Pete Wilson was Governor. Willie Brown, the self-nicknamed “Ayatollah of the Assembly,” was…

Property Damage, Occurrences, Delays, Offsets and Fees. California Decision is a Smorgasbord of Construction Insurance Issues

I read once that 97 percent of cases never go to trial. However, there are still the ones that do. And, then, there are the ones that…

Close up of old construction boots on gray background

Construction Companies Can Be Liable for “Secondary Exposure” of Asbestos to Household Members

The history of asbestos regulation in the United States is complicated. Prior to the 1970s, asbestos-containing materials used in construction was widespread. In 1971, when…

When Your “Private” Project Suddenly Turns into a “Public” Project. Hint: It Doesn’t Necessarily Turn on Public Financing or Construction

In 1931, during the Great Depression, the federal government enacted the Davis-Bacon Act to help workers on federal construction projects. The Davis-Bacon Act, also known…

Unlicensed Contractor Shoots for the Stars . . . Sputters on Takeoff

Elon Musk . . . Eccentric engineer. Technology billionaire. And, now, litigation bad ass. Frequent readers of the California Construction Law Blog know that we’ve talked…

California Court of Appeal: Inserting The Phrase “Ongoing Operations” In An Additional Endorsement Is Not Enough to Preclude Coverage for Completed Operations

In a victory for additional insureds, a California appeals court held, in Pulte Home Corp. v. American Safety Indemnity Co., Cal.Ct.App. (4th Dist.), Docket No.…