A Charleston County jury awarded condominium owners a $7.7 million dollar verdict this month which many believe to be the largest construction defect verdict in state history. The verdict was rendered against a subcontractor that was not able to settle its portion of the suit prior to trial through alternative dispute resolution. Amazingly, the jury award came on top of $8.0 million already received via settlement proceeds from other Defendants. The jury was informed prior to reaching its decision so, in actuality, the 12 citizens on the panel concluded that the Plaintiff class of unit owners was entitled to $15,700,000.
Because all construction defect suits have different facts and circumstances which make them unique, it is hard to draw any hard conclusions from this result other than the fact that a jury will award a verdict of severe magnitude under some circumstances.
Article link: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/may/21/condo-owners-awarded-77m/
Clay Olson
