California Supreme Court
May 19, 2025
California Supreme Court finds parties cannot contract away liability for willful injury
In New England Country Foods, LLC v. VanLaw Food Products, Inc., the California Supreme Court held on April 24, 2025, that contract clauses limiting damages for willful tortious conduct are categorically unenforceable under Civil Code Section 1668, reaffirming that private agreements cannot shield parties from liability for intentional wrongdoing.
Lee S. Brenner
Venable LLPUC Hastings
Lee Brenner, chair of Venable's Entertainment and Media Litigation Group, is a trial attorney and business litigator based in the firm's Los Angeles office.
On April 24, 2025, the California Supreme Court held that
contract clauses that limit damages for injuries caused by willful tortious
conduct are prohibited by Section 1668 of the California Civil Code.
In New England Country Foods v. Vanlaw Food Products, No. S282968, 2025 Cal. 2025 DJDAR 3413 (Cal. Apr. 24, 2025), a barbecue sauce company ...
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