Professor Senet’s List of 25 Decisions Every California Construction Lawyer Should Know:

Ted Senet | Gibbs Giden

1. Aas v. Superior Court (2000) 24 Cal. 4^th 627 – economic loss rule
2. Amelco Electric v. City of Thousand Oaks ( (2002) 27 Cal. 4^th 228 – abandonment does not apply to public works – total cost theory is allowed
3. Beacon Residential Community Association v. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (2014) 59 Cal. 4th 568 – architect liable in absence of privity
4. Cates Const., Inc. v. Talbot Partners (1999) 21 Cal.4th 28 – no tort recovery on bonds – performance bonds can cover contract warranties
5. Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. v. Sacramento Municipal Utility Dist., 149 Cal. App. 4th 1384 – liability for concealed conditions
6. Connolly Development, Inc. v. Superior Court of Merced County (1976) 17 Cal. 3d 803 – mechanic lien remedy is constitutional
7. Crawford v. Weather Shield Mfg. (2008) 44 Cal. 4^th 541 – indemnity implies obligation to defend [now limited to commercial contracts under CCP 2782 (c)–(h)]
8. Drennan v. Star Paving Co. (1958) 51 Cal. 2d 409 – subcontractor held liable to contractor for mistaken bid
9. Erlich v. Menezes (1999) 21 Cal. 4^th 543 – limitation on recovery for emotional distress arising from defective work
10. Fassberg Construction Co. v. Housing Authority of City of Los Angeles (2007) 152 Cal. App. 4th 720 –contractor’s unpaid invoices are not false claims
11. Hydrotech Systems v. Oasis Water Park (1991) 52 Cal. 3d 988 – unlicensed contractor may not sue for fraud
12. J’Aire v. Gregory (1979) 24 Cal. 3d 799 – liability to third parties in absence of privity
13. Jimenez v. Superior Court (2002) 29 Cal 4^th 472- component manufacturers and suppliers held strictly liable
14. Lantsy v. Centex (2003) 31 Cal. 4^th 363 – CCP 337.15 ten year statute of repose not subject to equitable tolling, but is subject to equitable estopple.
15. Los Angeles Unified Sch. Dist. v. Great Am. Ins. Co. (2010) 49 Cal. 4^th 739 – contractor may recover based upon owner’s concealment of facts
16. Lusardi Construction Co. v. Aubry (1992) 1 Cal. 4th 976 – contrary to owner’s representation, contractor must pay prevailing wages
17. McMillen Albany v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5^th 228 – common law claims are subject to statutory prelitigation procedures under Right to Repair Act.
18. Markborough California, Inc. v Superior Court (1991) 227 Cal. App. 3d 705 – enforceability of limitation of liability provisions
19. M.W. Erectors, Inc. Niederhauser Ornamental (2005) 36 Cal. 4^th 412 – contractors barred from recovery for work while not licensed
20. Pinnacle Museum Tower Ass’n. v Pinnacle Market Dev. (2012) 55 Cal.4th 223 – federal arbitration act prevails over CA statutory limitation on arbitration  
21. Presley Holmes v. American State (2001) 90 Cal App. 4^th 571 – duty to defend additional insureds
22. Privette V. Superior Court (1993) 5 Cal.4^th 689 – limitation on rights of injured workers to sue owner or general contractor
23. Scott Co. v. Blount, Inc. (1999) 20 Cal. 4^th 1103 – cost shifting – prevailing party
24. Stearman v. Centex Homes (2000) 781 Cal. 4^th 611 – strict liability for damage to caused by a component part – recovery of investigation costs as cost of repairs
25. Wm. R. Clarke v. Safeco (1997) 15 Cal. 4^th 882 – paid if paid clause invalid

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