Judge OKs Initial Class Action in South Carolina Defective Stucco Lawsuit

A state judge has granted preliminary class-action status to lawsuits alleging defective stucco work on homes in Sun City Hilton Head.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reports Judge J. Michael Baxley issued the order last month. The class action could affect as many as 4,000 homes.

Baxley ruled a class action would prevent similar cases clogging the courts. There are about 140 cases now pending.

In 2010, the state Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling and said Anthony and Barbara Grazia’s initial suit could be made a class action. Defendants include a plastering company, the community’s developer, a home builder and architect.

The class action is preliminary because, under state law, the builders have a chance to first offer repairs, money or some other solution.