Van Meter v. Bent Construction Co

In Van Meter v. Bent Construction Co. (1956) 46 Cal.2d 588, it was held that plaintiff, a subcontractor, was not precluded from recovering damages against the general contractor for negligent misrepresentations where the trial court did not determine the plaintiff was either grossly negligent in relying on the defendant's statements or that such reliance was either preposterous or irrational or amounted to neglect of a legal duty. (46 Cal.2d 588, 595.) The California Supreme Court defined 'gross negligence' as 'the want of even scant care or an extreme departure from the ordinary standard of conduct.'