First Church of Christ Scientist v. City of Seattle

Washington continues to recognize the doctrine of completion and acceptance, which operates as a defense to contractor liability to third parties when the contractor’s work is completed and accepted by the owner. In this case, the alleged act of negligence on the part of the contractor was not part of the contract work, but was instead a matter collateral to the contract work. Under these circumstances, we hold that the doctrine does not apply. Instead, the contractor’s liability to third parties is based on established negligence principles.

The rule of nonliability created by the doctrine…