Opinion ID: 2384680
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Frank Trager & Sons

Text: Appellants next challenge the dismissal of their negligence claim against Frank Trager & Sons, the general contractor. Once an owner accepts a structure built to the owner's specifications, however, a general contractor is usually not liable to persons with whom he did not contract. Gast v. Shell Oil Co., 819 S.W.2d 367, 370 (Mo. banc 1991). There are significant exceptions to this rule, such as: where the completed work contains a hidden defect or departure from specifications that is not apparent to the owner upon reasonable inspection; or where a specification is so imperfect or improper that the contractor should realize it will result in an inherently unsafe structure or condition. Id. at 371. Nonetheless, appellants presented no evidence to support the application of these or any other exceptions in this case. The exhibits attached to Trager's affidavit show that its work was accepted by MHTC on August 19, 1976. We accept Trager's uncontroverted evidence as true for purposes of summary judgment. MHTC's acceptance of the completed work in accordance with its specifications bars the negligence claim and entitles Trager to summary judgment as a matter of law. [19]