RALEIGH, N.C. - Absent a contract between the parties, the economic loss rule does not bar the negligence claims of homeowners whose residence was damaged through defects in materials supplied by the defendant, a North Carolina Court of Appeals panel found April 10, affirming a jury verdict for the homeowners (William A. Lord and Jennifer L. Lord v. Customized Consulting Specialty, Inc., et al., No. COA06-725, N.C. App.; 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 782). Full story on lexis.com