Calif. Court Allows Insurer That Paid Partial Claim to Intervene In Construction Case

SANTA ANA, Calif. - An insurer that paid a portion of homeowners' claim and is defending a bad faith claim over coverage for mold damage can intervene by right in the homeowners' construction defect case against builders, a California appellate court held June 21. Hodge v. Kirkpatrick Development Inc., No. G034361 (Calif. 4th App. Dist.).

In a published opinion, the California Court of Appeal, 4th District, reversed a trial court ruling that had denied State Farm General Insurance Co. leave to intervene in a lawsuit brought by Douglas M. and Kylie S. Hodge against Kirkpatrick Development Inc., their home's builder, …