No CGL coverage for construction defect claim

February 17, 2014

The Fifth Circuit found that a subcontractor’s CGL carrier had no duty to defend a construction defect claim against the general contractor.  Carl E. Woodward LLC v. Acceptance Indemnity Ins. Co., No. 12-60561 (Feb. 11, 2014). The pleading alleged that the general contractor, through its subcontractor, “built the foundation piers in non-conformity with plans and specifications.” An accompanying engineer’s report provided detail about related drainage problems.  The Court concluded that the policy language meant that “claims for liability can be brought after ongoing operations are complete, but the underlying liability cannot be due to the ‘completed operations.'”  A contrary holding, reasoned the Court, “effectively converts a CGL policy into a performance bond.”   Here, “[e]ven accepting the district court’s factual finding that damage had occurred during ongoing operations, the only ‘damage’ supported by allegation is the construction that was not in conformity with plans and specifications,” and “[l]iability for such damages arising out of completed operations . . . .”  Law360 has recently published an analysis of this opinion.  An opinion denying rehearing elaborates on the role of the engineering report.

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