Stearman v. Centex Homes

Opinion

RYLAARSDAM, J.

Defendant Centex Homes appeals from a judgment in favor of plaintiffs Jeffrey N. and Linda Stearman in a strict liability action arising out of defendant’s defective construction of the foundation of plaintiffs’ tract home, resulting in severe slab movement and deformation. The defects caused extensive cracks throughout the interior and exterior surfaces of the home.

The issue is not whether a defendant builder of mass-produced housing may be held strictly liable for construction defects. The affirmative answer to that question is firmly established in California cases…