Court Opinion

ID: 9732907
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 16:43:41.670056+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:36.170414
License: Public Domain

CHIEF JUSTICE HEIPLE, dissenting: The majority decision expands habitability liability for all mechanics, artisans, contractors, and home renovators who make significant additions to already existing structures. This new liability runs in favor of subsequent home buyers in the complete absence of privity of contract. This is new law which opens up vast possibilities for new causes of action. The opinion leaves to future decisions the definition of "significant addition.” That this expanded liability will increase the cost of home improvements cannot be doubted. It is a basic law of economics that there is no free lunch. For a society that is already wallowing in law suits, it seems to me that this judicial expansion of liability into new and undefined areas would be better left to the state legislature. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent. JUSTICE NICKELS joins in this dissent.