Minn. High Court Sees Strict Time Limit on Contribution Claims

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota's statute of repose for real property must be strictly interpreted to bar contribution or indemnity claims that did not accrue during that 10-year period, that state's high court held in a June 29 opinion. Weston v. McWilliams & Associates, No. A04-1251 (Minn. Sup. Ct.).

The state Supreme Court reversed a ruling by Minnesota's Court of Appeals, which held that a construction firm sued late in the 10-year period could utilize a two-year statute of limitations to effectively extend the time limit for filing a contribution claim against others (See HarrisMartin's Columns-Mold, May 2005).

At issue …