FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT BUILDING EXPERT
DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

Start-up to Streamline Large-Scale Energy Renovation

August 07, 2018 — Aarni Heiskanen - AEC Business
An app from software provider GenieBelt will facilitate communications and strengthen cooperation when DGI-Byen, a 30,000 m2 business and leisure center in central Copenhagen, undergoes a large-scale energy renovation. SustainSolutions CEO Christian Niepoort expects that the tool will contribute to quality, safety, and time and cost savings. Electricians, carpenters, painters, masons, consultants, and architects; the more parties are involved, the more difficult it becomes to stick to the schedule when coordinating a whole host of supplier and contractor activities. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Aarni Heiskanen, AEC Business
Mr. Heiskanen may be contacted at aec-business@aepartners.fi

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Insurer Liable for Bad Faith Despite Actions of Insured Contributing to Excess Judgment

January 02, 2019 — Tred R. Eyerly - Insurance Law Hawaii
Reversing the intermediate appellate court, the Florida Supreme Court held the insurer liable for bad faith despite imperfect actions by the insured. Harvey v. GEICO Gen. Ins. Co., 2018 Fla. LEXIS 1705 (Fla. Sept. 20, 2018). Insured James Harvey was involved in an auto accident in which the other driver, 51 year old John Potts, was killed. Harvey's vehicle was registered in both his name and his business's name, and was covered under a $100,000 liability policy. Harvey reported the accident to his insurer, GEICO. The claim was assigned to a claims adjuster, Fran Korkus. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

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Does the New Jersey Right-To-Repair Law Omit Too Many Construction Defects?

January 06, 2012 — CDJ STAFF

A post on the blog of Liberty Building Forensics Group find fault with the New Jersey Home Warranty and Builders’ Registration Act for not being stringent enough. The poster notes the coverage given under the bill. In the first year, builders are responsible to remedy faulty workmanship and materials and major structural defects. While other protections expire in the first or second year, there is a ten year coverage of major construction defects.

The blogger finds fault with the exclusion New Jersey law places on these claims, arguing that “due to the stringent definition of ‘major construction defects,” the warranty affords no coverage unless the house is practically collapsing.” The bill excludes leaks, cracks, and mold, and further limits claims if the homeowner has failed to inform the builder or insurer of defects, failure to maintain the home, and alterations made by the homeowner.

The intent of the New Jersey law is given as “requiring that newly constructed homes conform to certain construction and quality standards as well as to provide buyers of new homes with insurance-backed warranty protection in the event such standards are not met.” It’s argued in the piece that it instead serves to “strip homeowners of any meaningful means of recovery for discovered construction defects.”

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Scott Saylin Expands Employment Litigation and Insurance Litigation Team at Payne & Fears

September 23, 2024 — Payne & Fears LLP
Scott Saylin has joined Payne & Fears LLP as a Law Clerk in the firm’s Employment Litigation Group and Insurance Litigation Group. Before his time at Payne & Fears, Scott served as a law clerk for Cascadia Healthcare in Boise, Idaho. “We are pleased to welcome Scott Saylin back to the firm. He was with us as a summer associate before completing his final year of law school at George Washington University,” said Amy Patton, the group’s co-chair. “Scott has fantastic potential to develop into an excellent litigator and will be an asset to our team.” Get to Know Scott What activities do you enjoy outside of work? Pickle ball, long walks, beach trips, cooking, watching the Lakers games, and playing the guitar & piano. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Payne & Fears LLP

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Zero-Net Energy Homes Costly Everywhere but at the Electric Meter

August 27, 2013 — CDJ STAFF
On one hand, your walls are about nine inches thick. On the other hand, your heating and cooling costs are nonexistent. Greenhill Contracting is building “zero-net energy” homes in New Paltz, New York. The homes are designed to create more power than they consume. In addition to the walls, which WDTN News describes as “castle thick,” the homes include solar panels, triple-glazed windows, and geothermal heating and cooling systems. The cost for a three-bedroom home in this development starts at about $400,000. Meritage Homes is offering net-zero as an option on its homes. Based in Arizona, Meritage builds homes across the country. Another national builder, Shea Homes, calls its net-zero option “SheaXero,” and has built about a thousand in four western states and in Florida. One Arizona homeowner notes that she runs her air conditioner constantly, but “I still have never paid more than $18 and some change.” Sometimes she even gets a credit. Read the court decision
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Homeowner may pursue negligence claim for construction defect, Oregon Supreme Court holds

March 01, 2011 — Lori Bauman, Ater Wynne LLP

In Abraham v. T. Henry, Oregon’s court of appeals held that a Oregon’s court of appeals holds that a homeowner may sue builder for common law negligence absent a contractual provision that forecloses such a claim. Plaintiff homeowners hired defendant contractors to build a house. When plaintiffs discovered defects in the construction years later, they sued for negligence.



The Court of Appeals held that the parties’ contractual relationship did not prevent a negligence claim, and that plaintiffs were entitled to pursue a negligence per se claim based on a violation of the Oregon Building Code.



The Supreme Court affirmed, but on a somewhat different basis. First, according to the Court, a construction defect claim concerns damage to property — and not mere economic losses — and thus is not barred by the economic loss doctrine. Second, the existence



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Nine Gibbs Giden Partners Listed in Southern California Super Lawyers 2022

February 14, 2022 — Gibbs Giden Locher Turner Senet & Wittbrodt, LLP
Premiere law firm Gibbs Giden Locher Turner Senet & Wittbrodt, LLP announced that 9 of the firm's partners have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers lists are issued by Thomson Reuters. These lists honor no more than 5% of licensed attorneys in each state, based on peer recognition and professional achievements. The following Gibbs Giden attorneys have been selected to the 2022 Southern California Super Lawyers list: LOS ANGELES Barbara Gadbois – Construction Law Sara Kornblatt – Construction Law and Litigation William (Bill) Locher - Real Estate and Business Law Ted Senet – Insurance and Construction Law Glenn Turner – Construction Law and Litigation Richard Wittbrodt – Construction Law and Litigation, AAA Mediator/Arbitrator IRVINE Philip Zvonicek – Business, Corporate, Construction, Insurance Law WESTLAKE Jason Adams – Construction and Insurance Law Christopher Ng – (Managing Partner) Construction and Business Law Gibbs Giden understands the complex challenges companies face in today’s competitive business environment. From our roots in construction law to our evolution into a premier law firm serving the diverse needs of the business community, we provide the insight and advice our clients need to position themselves for the future. www.gibbsgiden.com LOS ANGELES | IRVINE | SAN JOSE | WESTLAKE | LAS VEGAS Read the court decision
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Stay-At-Home Orders and Work Restrictions with 50 State Matrix

April 27, 2020 — Smith Currie
As each day of the coronavirus pandemic passes, more and more states, cities and counties across the country are implementing stay-at-home (or shelter-in-place) orders and restrictions on individuals and businesses. These restrictions are impacting numerous persons and businesses, including those working in the construction industry. Smith Currie is keeping abreast of these restrictions and has developed the matrix below identifying statewide and local restrictions in place. This matrix is by no means complete, and we will continue updating it as we become aware of additional orders. In the write ups included with the PDF below, you will find links to the applicable orders with more detailed information. Consult legal counsel for advice on the impact of a particular restriction or restrictions to your business. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Smith Currie
The firm Smith Currie may be contacted at info@smithcurrie.com

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