January Brown Bag Recap: Construction Defect Claims and Defenses in Utah

At our January CLE luncheon, attorney Daniel Day presented on construction defect claims. He discussed when a defect claim can legally be made and who would be potentially liable in various cases. 

Mr. Day’s presentation focused on analyzing who would be potentially liable for defects under various scenarios. For instance, among the factors that would be critical to analyze would be whether there was personal injury or damage to the property other than the construction itself. Absent such injury, one would not be able to pursue a negligence action against the contractor because the economic loss rule would be a valid defense.

If there was not personal injury or other damage, a valid case might be pursued under a theory of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, intentional tort (such as fraud), or strict products liability, depending on specific circumstances.

It is important for both builders and owners to understand their rights and obligations before constructing a building so both parties know what to expect. If you have been disappointed with the results of construction or are having construction defect claims brought against you, seeking legal advice and representation is the best step to ensure your rights are protected.  

Photo courtesy of Flickr by Jun Seita