Section 6131.42. Actions against contractor and bondsmen

Any owner who has suffered any loss or damage by reason of the failure of the contractor to perform his contract, or by his negligence in performing the contract, may bring suit against the contractor and his bondsmen to recover the damages so sustained. Two or more owners who are assessed for the construction of the improvement may in one suit bring an action against the contractor and his bondsmen to recover the damages which may be sustained by all the plaintiffs by reason of the failure of the contractor to construct the improvement according to the contract.

When two or more owners join in one suit in an action for damage against the contractor, the jury in one verdict shall find the damages suffered by all the plaintiffs. The court shall enter judgment on the verdict in favor of the plaintiffs for the amount of damages, as found by the jury, and shall at the time of entering the judgment find what part of said judgment should be paid to each of the plaintiffs respectively, and shall order the clerk to [of] the court to pay to each of said plaintiffs the part of said judgment as found by the court when said judgment is paid. Any owner who is assessed for the construction of any improvement may bring an action to enjoin the payment of any money owed a contractor who has not constructed the work according to the contract and specifications until the contractor has constructed the improvement according to the contract and specifications. The remedies provided in this section are in addition to all other remedies provided by law.

Effective Date: 08-01-1980