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Affirmative Defenses for General Contractors in California
What Are Affirmative Defenses for General Contractors?
Statutory Provisions
Civil Code Sec. 936 provides:
“Each and every provision of the other chapters of this title apply to general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, individual product manufacturers, and design professionals to the extent that the general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, individual product manufacturers, and design professionals caused, in whole or in part, a violation of a particular standard as the result of a negligent act or omission or a breach of contract. In addition to the affirmative defenses set forth in Section 945.5, a general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, design professional, individual product manufacturer, or other entity may also offer common law and contractual defenses as applicable to any claimed violation of a standard. All actions by a claimant or builder to enforce an express contract, or any provision thereof, against a general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, individual product manufacturer, or design professional is preserved. Nothing in this title modifies the law pertaining to joint and several liability for builders, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, individual product manufacturer, and design professionals that contribute to any specific violation of this title. However, the negligence standard in this section does not apply to any general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, individual product manufacturer, or design professional with respect to claims for which strict liability would apply.”
Judicial Application and Interpretation
“The first sentence of section 936, when read in context with section 896, clearly and unambiguously states that a homeowner/claimant (Plaintiffs) suing a material supplier (Defendants) for violating a standard under the Act must prove that the material supplier caused, in whole or in part, a violation of a standard as the result of a negligent act or omission or a breach of contract.” (Acqua Vista Homeowners Ass'n v. MWI, Inc. (2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 1129, 1142 citing Sec. 936 [stating that provisions of the Act outside of Chapter 4, including section 896, apply to ‘material suppliers, ... to the extent that the ... material suppliers ... caused, in whole or in part, a violation of a particular standard as the result of a negligent act or omission or a breach of contract’].)
“We acknowledge that the plain language of the final sentence in section 936, when read in isolation, is ambiguous. (See Sec. 936 ["However, the negligence standard in this section does not apply to any general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, individual product manufacturer, or design professional with respect to claims for which strict liability would apply"].) Despite such textual ambiguity, for the reasons stated below, an application of the techniques of statutory interpretation demonstrates that the provision should be interpreted as providing that the negligence standard specified in the first sentence of section 936 does not apply to common law strict liability claims against the specified nonbuilder entities.” (Acqua Vista Homeowners Ass'n v. MWI, Inc. (2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 1129, 1143.)
Civil Code § 945.5, provides:
“A builder, general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, individual product manufacturer, or design professional, under the principles of comparative fault pertaining to affirmative defenses, may be excused, in whole or in part, from any obligation, damage, loss, or liability if the builder, general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, individual product manufacturer, or design professional, can demonstrate any of the following affirmative defenses in response to a claimed violation:
- To the extent it is caused by an unforeseen act of nature which caused the structure not to meet the standard. For purposes of this section an “unforeseen act of nature” means a weather condition, earthquake, or manmade event such as war, terrorism, or vandalism, in excess of the design criteria expressed by the applicable building codes, regulations, and ordinances in effect at the time of original construction.
- To the extent it is caused by a homeowner's unreasonable failure to minimize or prevent those damages in a timely manner, including the failure of the homeowner to allow reasonable and timely access for inspections and repairs under this title. This includes the failure to give timely notice to the builder after discovery of a violation, but does not include damages due to the untimely or inadequate response of a builder to the homeowner's claim.
- To the extent it is caused by the homeowner or his or her agent, employee, general contractor, subcontractor, independent contractor, or consultant by virtue of their failure to follow the builder's or manufacturer's recommendations, or commonly accepted homeowner maintenance obligations. In order to rely upon this defense as it relates to a builder's recommended maintenance schedule, the builder shall show that the homeowner had written notice of these schedules and recommendations and that the recommendations and schedules were reasonable at the time they were issued.
- To the extent it is caused by the homeowner or his or her agent's or an independent third party's alterations, ordinary wear and tear, misuse, abuse, or neglect, or by the structure's use for something other than its intended purpose.
- To the extent that the time period for filing actions bars the claimed violation.
- As to a particular violation for which the builder has obtained a valid release.
- To the extent that the builder's repair was successful in correcting the particular violation of the applicable standard.
- As to any causes of action to which this statute does not apply, all applicable affirmative defenses are preserved.
(Civil Code § 945.5; see also, Belasco v. Wells (2015) 183 Cal. Rptr. 3d 840; Acqua Vista Homeowners Ass'n v. MWI, Inc. (2017) 7 Cal.App.5th 1129.)
Documents for General Contractor - Affirmative Defenses in California
13 pages
William H. Naumann, Esq., SBN 95771 1 Jacob H. Katz, Esq., SBN 345371 THE NAUMANN LAW FIRM, PC 2 10890 Thornmint Road, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92127 3 Phone: (858) 792-7474 Facsimile: (858) 564-9380 4 Attorneys for Plaintiff 5 6 7 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 8 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, WEST DISTRICT 9 MAURICE HARKLESS, an individual, Case No.: 10
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 16, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 16, 2026
Court Category
Real Estate - Construction Defect Litigation
19 pages
1 TERESA A. LIBERTINO, ESQ. (SBN 128942) LAW OFFICE OF TERESA A. LIBERTINO 2 8201 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 303 3 Los Angeles, CA 90048 (323) 938-3102 Telephone 4 Teresa@libertinolaw.com 5 Attorney for PLAINTIFFS, TAMMY LIN, et al. 6 7 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 8 FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 9 CASE NO. TAMMY LIN; 10 MATTHEW PARK; 11
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 13, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 13, 2026
Court Category
Construction - Construction Defect
493 pages
F:\3604\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HUNT, E
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 12, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 12, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Silicosis
495 pages
F:\3550\COMPLAINT\Draft Complaint - Final - rev1.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILL
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 12, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 12, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Silicosis
2 pages
1 TERESA A. LIBERTINO, ESQ. (SBN 128942) LAW OFFICE OF TERESA A. LIBERTINO 2 8201 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 303 3 Los Angeles, CA 90048 (323) 938-3102 Telephone 4 Teresa@libertinolaw.com 5 Attorney for PLAINTIFFS, TAMMY LIN, et al. 6 7 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 8 FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 9 CASE NO. TAMMY LIN; 10 MATTHEW PARK; 11
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 11, 2026
Case Status
Pending
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 11, 2026
Court Category
Other Real Property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (General Jurisdiction)
435 pages
u RB Wn 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Alison M. Crane, SBN 197359 Justice M. Tecson, SBN 340625 BLEDSOE, DIESTEL, TREPPA & CRANE LLP 1990 North California Blvd., Suite 200 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Telephone: (415) 981-5411 Facsimile: (415) 981-0352 acrane@bledsoelaw.com jtecson@bledsoelaw.com Attorneys for Defendants RAMI ELGHANDOUR and MANAL ELGHANDOUR SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO CHUNYAO CHEN AND EUGENE
Case #
Case Filed
Jul 17, 2023
Case Status
Active
10 pages
1 Jason E. Fellner (SBN 245364) Josh Davis (SBN 271725) 2 Hannibal Huntley (SBN 352929) FELLNER LAW GROUP ELECTRONICALLY 3 90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1250 San Francisco, CA 94105 FILED Superior Court of California, 4 Telephone: (415) 348-0348
Case #
Case Filed
Feb 05, 2026
County
San Francisco County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 09, 2026
Court Category
QUIET TITLE - REAL PROPERTY
106 pages
BERDING & WEIL, LLP 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Andrew M. Baugh, California Bar No. 242654 Jenna D. Swaney, California Bar No. 269971 BERDING & WEIL LLP 2175 N. California Blvd, Suite 500 Walnut Creek, California 94596 Telephone: 925.838.2090 Facsimile: 925.820.5592 abaugh@berdingweil.com jswaney@berdingweil.com Attorneys for Plaintiff SOMONT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Electronically Filed by Superior Court of CA, County of Santa Clara, on 9/8/2026 4:33 PM Revie
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 08, 2026
Case Status
Active
County
Santa Clara County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 08, 2026
Court Category
Construction Defect Unlimited (10)
8 pages
1 2 William H. Naumann, Esq., SBN 95771 Loren K. Shiu, Esq., SBN 285911 3 Jacob H. Katz, Esq., SBN 345371 THE NAUMANN LAW FIRM, PC 4 10890 Thornmint Road, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92127 5 Phone: (858) 792-7474 Facsimile: (858) 564-9380 6 Attorneys for Plaintiffs 7 8 9 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 11 DOUGLAS PAUL SCHUESSLER, JR., an
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 02, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 02, 2026
Court Category
Real Estate - Construction Defect Litigation
20 pages
1 KRISTY & KANANEN James R. Kristy, Esq., SBN 208717 2 james@kristylaw.com Kurt E. Kananen, Esq., SBN 156136 3 kurt@kristylaw.com 3780 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 200 4 Long Beach, California 90806 Telephone: (866) 981-1498 5 Facsimile: (800) 229-7601 6 Attorneys for Plaintiffs 7 8 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 9 IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE 10 11 ROMEL BAYANI, an individual; and CA
County
Riverside County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 01, 2026
Court Category
Consumer Protection - Violation of Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
476 pages
F:\3575\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HUNT, E
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 01, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 01, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Silicosis
20 pages
1 KRISTY & KANANEN James R. Kristy, Esq., SBN 208717 2 james@kristylaw.com Kurt E. Kananen, Esq., SBN 156136 3 kurt@kristylaw.com 3780 Kilroy Airport Way, Suite 200 4 Long Beach, California 90806 Telephone: (866) 981-1498 5 Facsimile: (800) 229-7601 6 Attorneys for Plaintiffs 7 8 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 9 IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE 10 11 ROMEL BAYANI, an individual; and CA
Case #
Case Filed
Sep 01, 2026
County
Riverside County, CA
Filed Date
Sep 01, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Premises Liability
14 pages
1 BOBBY DALE SIMS, JR. (SBN 202622) LESLIE M. HANKS (SBN 166926) 2 SIMS, LAWRENCE & BROGHAMMER 1478 Stone Point Drive, Ste. 450 3 Roseville, CA 95661 Telephone: (916) 797-8881 4 Facsimile: (916) 253-1544 bob@sims-law.net / lhanks@sims-law.net 5 SLB-eService@sims-law.net 6 Attorneys for Cross-Defendant, SONRAY SOLAR, INC. dba SONRAY CONSTRUCTION 7 8 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 9 COUNTY OF
129 pages
ARTEMIS Law Group, APLC 21800 Oxnard St. Suite 1190, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 COU ON DHA RB WN MANSOUR JAFARIAN, ESQ. (SBN 332632) ARTEMIS LAW GROUP, APLC 21800 Oxnard St., Suite 1190 Woodland Hills, California 91367 Telephone: (310) 304-0944 Email: mansour@artemis-lawgroup.com Attorneys for Plaintiffs CESAR MAYORGA RUGAMA and LISA RENEE MAYORGA SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT @ CESAR MAYORGA RUGAMA, an individual; Case N as
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 31, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 31, 2026
Court Category
Real Estate - Breach of Contract and Fraud
129 pages
ARTEMIS Law Group, APLC 21800 Oxnard St. Suite 1190, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 COU ON DHA RB WN MANSOUR JAFARIAN, ESQ. (SBN 332632) ARTEMIS LAW GROUP, APLC 21800 Oxnard St., Suite 1190 Woodland Hills, California 91367 Telephone: (310) 304-0944 Email: mansour@artemis-lawgroup.com Attorneys for Plaintiffs CESAR MAYORGA RUGAMA and LISA RENEE MAYORGA SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT @ CESAR MAYORGA RUGAMA, an individual; Case N as
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 31, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 31, 2026
Court Category
Real Estate - Breach of Contract
2 pages
ARTEMIS Law Group, APLC 21800 Oxnard St. Suite 1190, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 COU ON DHA RB WN MANSOUR JAFARIAN, ESQ. (SBN 332632) ARTEMIS LAW GROUP, APLC 21800 Oxnard St., Suite 1190 Woodland Hills, California 91367 Telephone: (310) 304-0944 Email: mansour@artemis-lawgroup.com Attorneys for Plaintiffs CESAR MAYORGA RUGAMA and LISA RENEE MAYORGA SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT CESAR MAYORGA RUGAMA, an individual; and LISA RENEE
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 31, 2026
Case Status
Pending
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 31, 2026
Court Category
Negligent Breach of Contract/Warranty (no fraud) (General Jurisdiction)
13 pages
25CV470006 Santa Clara – Civil A. Floresca 1 HELEN LEE GREENBERG (SBN 230682) Electronically Filed JACKSON J. TANN (SBN 343558)
Case #
Case Filed
Jul 07, 2025
Case Status
Active
County
Santa Clara County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 31, 2026
Court Category
Breach of Contract/Warranty Unlimited (06)
471 pages
F:\3555\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HUNT, E
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 30, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 30, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Toxic Tort
466 pages
F:\3372\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE H
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 30, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 30, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Silicosis
2 pages
F:\3372\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE H
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 28, 2026
Case Status
Pending
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 28, 2026
Court Category
Toxic Tort/Environmental (General Jurisdiction)
2 pages
F:\3555\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HUNT, E
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 28, 2026
Case Status
Pending
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 28, 2026
Court Category
Toxic Tort/Environmental (General Jurisdiction)
2 pages
F:\3587\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HU NT,
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 27, 2026
Case Status
Pending
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 27, 2026
Court Category
Toxic Tort/Environmental (General Jurisdiction)
478 pages
F:\3587\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HU NT,
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 27, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 27, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Silicosis
2 pages
F:\3616\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HUNT, E
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 26, 2026
Case Status
Pending
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 26, 2026
Court Category
Toxic Tort/Environmental (General Jurisdiction)
484 pages
F:\3440\COMPLAINT\Complaint - Final.frm 1 METZGER LAW GROUP, APLC RAPHAEL METZGER, ESQ., SBN 116020 2 rmetzger@toxictorts.com SCOTT P. BRUST, ESQ., SBN 215951 3 sbrust@toxictorts.com 555 E. OCEAN BLVD., SUITE 800 4 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 Phone (562) 437-4499; Fax (562) 436-1561 5 WATERS KRAUS PAUL & SIEGEL 6 KEVIN M. LOEW, ESQ., SBN 238080 kloew@waterskraus.com M. CAMILLE HUNT, E
Case #
Case Filed
Aug 26, 2026
County
Los Angeles County, CA
Filed Date
Aug 26, 2026
Court Category
Personal Injury - Silicosis
