Plaintiff worked for a construction company. Her supervisors used foul language, referred to a woman with large breasts as “Double D,” told plaintiff she was lucky because women had multiple orgasms, and asked her whether women “got off” when they used a particular type of tampon. At one point, she was told to wear a French […]
Original Complaint Did Not Give Rise To A Builder’s Claim For Equitable Indemnity Against A City.
A homeowner’s association’s original complaint against a builder alleged various building violations. Government Code section 901 provides: “The date upon which a cause of action for equitable indemnity or partial equitable indemnity accrues shall be the date upon which a defendant is served with the complaint giving rise to the defendant’s claim for equitable indemnity or […]
General Engineering Construction Company Excluded From Making Bids On Public Works Projects For One Year.
A general engineering construction company performed public works projects. The California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement [DLSE] issued a civil wage and penalty assessment, including a disbarment period during which the company would be excluded from making bids on public work projects for one year, against the construction company based on allegations […]
Unlicensed General Contractor Required To Disgorge All Compensation For Its Services.
A dispute over a construction project went to arbitration. One party argued the unlicensed general contractor was required to disgorge all compensation for services pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 7031, but the arbitrator rejected the argument and found for the unlicensed general contractor. The trial court denied a motion to vacate the award and entered […]
Coverage Excluded For Ordinance or Law Under Homeowners Policy.
Plaintiffs’ homeowners policy reads: “We do not insure under any coverage for any loss which is caused by one or more of the items below, regardless of whether the event occurs suddenly or gradually, involves isolated or widespread damage, arises from natural or external forces, or occurs as a result of any combination of these: a. […]
Real Estate Development Conviction Vis-À-Vis The Clean Air Act.
The CEO of a real estate development company was convicted of violating the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. §85.]. In his appeal, he complained about a jury instruction: “You may find that the defendant acted knowingly if you find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant: [¶] 1. was aware of a high probability that there […]
Technological Changes Did Not End Design Immunity In Construction
Plaintiffs were injured in an accident on a bridge and brought an action for dangerous condition of public property. Defendants argued they enjoyed design immunity, but plaintiffs contended they lost that immunity when they became aware of certain technological changes which made it appropriate to install modifications. The trial court entered judgment in favor the […]
City Did Not Improperly Exclude Adjacent Pending Residential/Commercial Development From Its EIR.
The trial court denied a group’s petition for writ of mandate to vacate certification of an environmental impact report [EIR]. Petitioners claimed the City wrongly defined the project to exclude the pending residential and commercial development on an adjacent property, and that the project is interrelated with the City’s development of a park. The appellate […]
You Go First. No, After You.
Civil Code §910 requires a homeowner to serve notice of a construction defect claim to commence the prelitigation process before bringing a lawsuit. But §912 requires the builder to provide certain documents. The homeowners claimed they needed the documents before they could comply with §910, and the builder claimed it wasn’t required to provide the […]
Without A License, Contractor Worked For Nothing.
A tribal corporation brought suit against a contractor for the return of funds it paid for work, alleging the contractor was not licensed. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the tribal corporation. The Court of Appeal found the trial court abused its discretion when it summarily sustained all 39 of the tribal […]