Judge OKs initial class action in Sun City suit

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — 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 (http://bit.ly/xyqa37 ) 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.

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Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com