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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 10Ch. 5Art. 3§ 10531 Third Party Lease Goods Injury

§ 10531 Third Party Lease Goods Injury

Commercial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 10531 Third Party Lease Goods Injury

This law says that if someone hurts or destroys property that is being leased, the owner of the lease (lessor) can sue that person, and the renter (lessee) can also sue if they have a real interest or responsibility for the property.

Key Takeaways

  • •Both the lessor and lessee can sue a third party who damages leased goods.
  • •The lessee can sue only if they have a security interest, an insurable interest, or bear the risk of loss for the goods.
  • •If the suing party didn’t bear the risk, any money they get must be held for the other party as a fiduciary.
  • •Either party can sue with the other’s consent for the benefit of anyone.

Example

A delivery company leases a truck to a driver. A vandal breaks the truck's windshield. The leasing company can sue the vandal, and the driver can also sue if they have insurance on the truck or are responsible for any loss.

Because the truck is part of a lease, the law lets the owner (lessor) bring a lawsuit against the vandal. The driver (lessee) can join the lawsuit too, but only if they have a security interest, insurance, or are the one who bears the risk of loss for the truck.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10531 Third Party Lease Goods Injury

(a) If a third party so deals with goods that have been identified to a lease contract as to cause actionable injury to a party to the lease contract (1) the lessor has a right of action against the third party, and (2) the lessee also has a right of action against the third party if the lessee: (A) Has a security interest in the goods; (B) Has an insurable interest in the goods; or (C) Bears the risk of loss under the lease contract or has since the injury assumed that risk as against the lessor and the goods have been converted or destroyed. (b) If at the time of the injury the party plaintiff did not bear the risk of loss as against the other party to the lease contract and there is no arrangement between them for disposition of the recovery, his or her suit or settlement, subject to his or her own interest, is as a fiduciary for the other party to the lease contract. (c) Either party with the consent of the other may sue for the benefit of whom it may concern. (Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 111, Sec. 68. Effective July 15, 1991.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

actionable injurysecurity interestinsurable interestrisk of lossfiduciary

Related Statutes

  • § 2722 Third Party Goods Injury
  • § 10523 Lessee Default Remedies
  • § 10524 Lessor Remedies After Default
  • § 10525 Lessor Rights After Lessee Default
  • § 10526 Lessor Right To Stop Delivery

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 10531.
View Official Source