Fairfield Connecticut Building Expert Directory

Contractor Manslaughter? Safety Shortcuts Are Not Worth It

August 11, 2011 — Douglas Reiser, Builders Council Blog

It’s been a while since I discussed the importance of safety. But,Â a recent article on ENR.comÂ compelled this brief article. Don’t shortcut safety — you could be facing serious criminalÂ repercussions.

A New York crane company owner and one of his employees are each facing a second-degreeÂ manslaughterÂ charge for the death of two construction workers. Â The charges stem from the collapse of aÂ craneÂ in New York City. The district attorney determined that the crane owner cut a few corners to reduce its operation costs, significantlyÂ sacrificingÂ safety.

Another example was the 2010 trial of another New York crane operator who was charged with manslaughter. In that case, the criminal charges failed to stick, but an administrative judge found that the contractor used a damaged sling to support the steel collar binding the tower-crane mast to the 18th floor of a high-rise building being constructed. The company also used four slings instead of the eight, as specified by the crane manufacturer; improperly attached the slings and failed to pad or soften them.

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Reprinted courtesy of Douglas Reiser of Reiser Legal LLC. Mr. Reiser can be contacted at info@reiserlegal.com

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Residential Construction Rise Expected to Continue

May 10, 2013 — CDJ STAFF
Housingwire reports that Fannie Mae has predicted strong increases in housing starts over the last few years, with an expected return to normal by 2016. If this holds true, residential construction will include 2.5 million jobs. Read the court decision
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Hoboken Mayor Admits Defeat as Voters Reject $241 Million School

February 21, 2022 — Nic Querolo - Bloomberg
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said late Tuesday that the city’s $241 million bond referendum to build a new high school won’t pass. “While the will of the voters has made it clear that the Board of Education’s current proposal for the new high school will not move forward, I sincerely believe that the effort to improve our public schools will continue,” Bhalla said in a statement. While the board of education put forth the proposal, the mayor was a big proponent. The vote in a special election Tuesday was one of the costliest school construction referendums in New Jersey history. The bond was failing 66% to 34%, with 35 out of 42 precincts reporting, according to unofficial results posted by Hudson County as of Wednesday morning. About 7,500 ballots had been cast, translating to a roughly 17% turnout, which is strong for a school bond vote. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Nic Querolo, Bloomberg

Thank You for 14 Consecutive Years of Legal Elite Elections

December 29, 2020 — Christopher G. Hill - Construction Law Musings
Thanks to the Virginia legal community that has continued to elect me to the Virginia Business Legal Elite in the Construction Law Category for 14 years running. The 14 consecutive years of election to the Legal Elite in the Construction Category spans my time as a solo construction attorney. The fact that you all have continued to elect “100%” of the lawyers at The Law Office of Christopher G. Hill, PC for the last 10 years is most gratifying and only confirms that my decision to “go solo” over 10 years ago was a good one. To be included in this list of top construction attorneys is both humbling and gratifying. For the complete list of the Virginia construction lawyers that were elected along with me, see the 2020 Virginia Business Legal Elite in Construction Law. Reprinted courtesy of The Law Office of Christopher G. Hill Mr. Hill may be contacted at chrisghill@constructionlawva.com Read the full story... Read the court decision
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Understand the Dispute Resolution Provision You Are Agreeing To

September 20, 2021 — David Adelstein - Florida Construction Legal Updates
When negotiating a contract, do not overlook the dispute resolution provision. It is one of the more important provisions in your construction contract. This provision will come into play and have ramifications if there is a dispute, which is certainly not uncommon on a construction project. In dispute resolution provisions in subcontracts on federal projects, it is not unusual for that provision to include language that requires the subcontractor to STAY any dispute that concerns actions or inactions of the owner pending the resolution of any dispute between the owner and prime contractor relating to that action or inaction. A provision to this effect should be included for the benefit of the prime contractor. For instance, the provision may say the subcontractor agrees to stay any such claim against the prime contractor or prime contractor’s surety pending the outcome of any pass-through claim (or otherwise) submitted under the Contract Disputes Act. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of David Adelstein, Kirwin Norris, P.A.
Mr. Adelstein may be contacted at dma@kirwinnorris.com

Construction Defect Scam Tied to Organized Crime?

July 31, 2013 — CDJ STAFF
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the initial tip-off came from Scott Canepa, a construction defect attorney who alerted the FBI about Leon Benzer’s activities in taking over homeowner boards. Canepa learned that Nancy Quon was taking part in the scheme and went to the FBI with the information. After FBI officials met with Canepa, they launched an investigation, which they named “Operation GrandMaster.” Although a Benzer associate stated that Benzer claimed not to have ties to organized crime, and according to the Review-Journal, “preferred to think of himself as ‘just a bully,’” the case involves connections to a number of figures with ties to organized crime. Benzer with associated with John V. Spilotro, a lawyer whose uncle was an alleged overseer for Chicago organized crime operating in Las Vegas in the 70s and 80s. Another conspirator, Paul Citelli, reportedly has ties to organized crime in Buffalo. Read the court decision
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Illinois Town Sues over Construction Defects at Police Station

October 08, 2013 — CDJ STAFF
The Chicago suburb of Northlake has filed a lawsuit against the designers and builders of its police station, claiming that the building leaks due to design and construction flaws. The building was finished in 2009 and flooded in 2010, 2011, and 2013. Northlake mayor Jeffrey Sherwin said that “a building that’s flooded three times in three years is kind of extreme.” In addition to requiring the replacement of carpet and drywall, the flooding disrupted police service and damaged both police and personal property. Mr. Sherwin noted that the city has tried to settle with the architects and contractors, but no settlement had been Read the court decision
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Recommencing Construction on a Project due to a Cessation or Abandonment

October 26, 2017 — David Adelstein - Florida Construction Legal Updates
There are instances where the owner of a construction project terminates its general contractor prior to the completion of the project. There are instances where the owner suspends the work prior to the completion of the project, meaning there is a cessation in the construction. And, there are instances where the project is simply abandoned. I have been involved in all instances, and the owner’s reasons vary…from an owner claiming a termination for default, termination for convenience, or a suspension or abandonment due to the market or financial factors. Regardless of the owner’s reasoning, at some point—hopefully—the owner will want to resume or, more properly stated, recommence construction and complete the project. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of David Adelstein, Florida Construction Legal Updates
Mr. Adelstein may be contacted at Dadelstein@gmail.com

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