South Carolina
How Casa Clara Condominium Ass'n, Inc. v. Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc. applies in South Carolina: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Other.
South Carolina follows the principles established in Casa Clara, emphasizing the doctrine of economic waste and the standards for liability under breach of contract and negligent construction. The state also considers the expectations of condominium associations regarding structural integrity and common area maintenance.
In South Carolina, a contractor may be held liable to a condominium association for damages resulting from defective work that diminishes the value of the common elements, specifically under the principles of economic waste and breach of warranty.
The court ruled that a contractor could be liable for damages due to performance below industry standards which caused economic waste.
Held that public entities owe a duty to adhere to construction standards that, if violated, may lead to liability for economic loss.
The ruling established that construction defects that affect health and safety can trigger liability beyond merely economic damages.
South Carolina's approach is similar to federal standards as they both recognize economic waste as a basis for damages; however, South Carolina places a stronger emphasis on the expectations and rights of condominium associations to pursue claims directly against contractors.
Concepts from Casa Clara, including issues of breach of warranty and economic loss, are frequently tested on the South Carolina bar exam in the context of contract and tort law.