Senior Living Facility Makes Construction Defect Claims
November 13, 2013 —
CDJ STAFFMidland Meadows Senior Living, LLC has filed a petition for declaratory judgment in the U.S. District Court in West Virginia, claiming that the contractor who built the facility, Arcon Group Incl, made a variety of errors, leading to mold and lack of water in the dining room, but also that floors were improperly constructed, sump pumps were not installed, and that the company failed to properly insulate the buildings.
The lawsuit also names Arcon Group’s insurer, First Mercury Insurance Company.
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Indemnity Clauses That Conflict with Oregon Indemnity Statute Can Remain Partially Valid and Enforceable
November 30, 2016 —
Masaki James Yamada – Ahlers & Cressman PLLCWhen the indemnity provision of a contract conflicts with ORS 30.140, it is voided to the extent that it conflicts with the statute, but no more. Such provisions can remain partially valid and enforceable.[i] In Montara Owner Assn., the owner brought claims against the contractor for construction defects and damage relating to the construction of 35 townhouses. Contractor then brought third-party claims against more than 20 subcontractors for breach of contract and indemnity. Before trial, contractor settled with all but one subcontractor. The subcontract contained an indemnity provision requiring subcontractor to indemnify contractor for losses arising out of subcontractor’s work, including losses caused in part by contractor’s own negligence.
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Masaki James Yamada, Ahlers & Cressman PLLCMr. Yamada may be contacted at
myamada@ac-lawyers.com
CDJ’s #6 Topic of the Year: Does Colorado Need Construction Defect Legislation to Spur Affordable Home Development?
December 31, 2014 —
Beverley BevenFlorez-CDJ STAFFThe question involves whether a Colorado law passed in 2005 has made it too easy for homeowners to sue developers for construction defects, allegedly causing a decline in condominium building in the state. The Construction Defect Journal became a forum for this lively debate with two prominent, Colorado, construction defect attorneys providing their views on the subject:
Jesse Howard Witt, of the Witt Law Firm, published “Colorado Mayors Should Not Sacrifice Homeowners to Lure Condo Developers.”
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In response, James M. Mulligan of Snell & Wilmer, LLP presented his perspective in, “Are Construction Defect Laws Inhibiting the Development of Attached Ownership Housing in Colorado?”
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The city of Lakewood did not wait for the state, but instead passed its own ordinance, which “gives developers and builders a ‘right to repair’ defects before facing litigation and would require condominium association boards to get consent from a majority of homeowners — rather than just the majority of the board — before filing suit,” according to John Aguilar’s piece in The Denver Post.
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Contractor Prevails in Part Against CalOSHA in Valley Fever Case
February 26, 2024 —
Garret Murai - California Construction Law BlogFever. Specifically, Valley fever. Caused by the fungus Coccidioides. It lives in the top two to 12 inches of soil, can become airborne when the soil is exposed, and can cause respiratory illness and even death. And apparently, it is present in many parts of California particularly in the Central Valley and along the coast. Who knew?
In
Granite Construction Company v. Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board, Case No. C086704 (2023), contractor Granite Construction was cited by CalOSHA for exposing its employees to Coccidioides at a large solar power plant known as California Flats Solar Project in Monterey California. The 3rd District Court of Appeal reversed in part. It should be noted that this case originally unpublished, it was then published, and then later depublished, so it should not be relied on for precedential value.
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Garret Murai, Nomos LLPMr. Murai may be contacted at
gmurai@nomosllp.com
Hurricane Handbook: A Policyholder's Guide to Handling Claims during Hurricane Season
October 11, 2021 —
Tracy Alan Saxe, Kelly A. Johnson, Samantha M. Oliveira & R. G. Nelson - Saxe Doernberger & VitaSDV's Natural Disaster Recovery Group presents the Hurricane Handbook: A Policyholder's Guide to Handling Claims during Hurricane Season. This handbook intends to be a practical guide on policyholder issues, both homeowners and business owners alike, when preparing for hurricane season and handling claims after a loss due to a hurricane. The handbook is a living document that will evolve over time, as our Natural Disaster Recovery Group members continue to contribute new and expansive content on the complex issues arising in this area. Remember to check back for additional information and updated content regarding the Hurricane Season Policyholder’s Handbook.
I. Are You Adequately Insured for a Hurricane?
Understanding the various types of coverage policyholders can purchase is vital to weathering the financial storm following a natural disaster.
Reprinted courtesy of
Tracy Alan Saxe, Saxe Doernberger & Vita,
Kelly A. Johnson, Saxe Doernberger & Vita,
Samantha M. Oliveira, Saxe Doernberger & Vita and
R. G. Nelson, Saxe Doernberger & Vita
Mr. Saxe may be contacted at TSaxe@sdvlaw.com
Ms. Johnson may be contacted at KJohnson@sdvlaw.com
Ms. Oliveira may be contacted at SOliveira@sdvlaw.com
Ms. Nelson may be contacted at RNelson@sdvlaw.com
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Construction Defects in Home a Breach of Contract
September 09, 2011 —
CDJ STAFFThe Supreme Court of North Dakota has ruled in Leno v. K & L Homes, affirming the verdict of the lower court. K & L Homes argued that district court had erred in several ways, including by refusing to instruct the jury on comparative fault, denying a request for inspection, and not allowing a defendant to testify on his observations during jury viewing.
The Lenos purchased a home constructed by K & L Homes, after which they alleged they found cracks, unevenness, and shifting, which they attributed to improper construction. They claimed negligence on the part of K & L Homes. K & L Homes responded that the Lenos were responsible for damage to the home. The Lenos dropped their negligence claim, arguing breach of contract and implied warranties.
Before the trial, after the discovery period had passed, K & L Homes requested to inspect the home. This was rejected by the court. Kelly Moldenhauer, the owner of K & L Homes sought to testify about his observations during the jury’s viewing of the house. The court denied this too. The jury found that K & L was in breach of contract and awarded damages to the Lenos.
The North Dakota Supreme Court noted that K & L Homes gave “warranties that the home had been built according to local building codes and laws, and that the house was fit for its particular purpose as a residence.” The court found that a defective home breached this warranty. Further, the home violated an implied warranty of fitness.
The district court had denied K & L’s request to inspect the home, as the discovery period had ended and it would not give the Lenos time to do further discovery of their own. At the time of the request, there was only twenty-two days before the trial. The Supreme Court ruled that this was not an abuse of discretion of the part of the district court.
The Lenos had requested that Moldenhauer’s testimony not be permitted, as it would “have the same effect as if the court had granted K & L Homes’ pretrial request for inspection.” K & L Homes agreed to this in court, replying, “okay.”
The decision affirms the judgment of the district court and the damages awarded to the Lenos by the jury.
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District Court Allows DBE False Claims Act Case to Proceed
February 23, 2017 —
Wally Zimolong – Supplemental ConditionsLast week, I posted about how whistleblowers continue to receive large settlements related to DBE fraud. A somewhat recent case from the federal court in Maryland shows how whistleblowers are ferreting out DBE fraud on construction projects receiving any form of federal funding.
The Case
The case involves a bridge painting project in Maryland that was let by the Maryland State Highway Administration. The contract required the prime contractor to meet a 15% DBE participation goal. The prime contractor submitted a bid stating it would have 15.12% DBE participation. After it was awarded the contract, the prime contractor – as is typical – submitted additional forms certifying to the MSHA that 15.12% of its contract price would be performed by a DBE firm. The prime contractor indicated that one DBE subcontractor, Northeast Work and Safety Boats, LLC (“NWSB”), would perform the 15.12% of the work.
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Wally Zimolong, Zimolong LLCMr. Zimolong may be contacted at
wally@zimolonglaw.com
U.S. State Adoption of the National Electrical Code
August 24, 2017 —
David R. Cook Jr. - Autry, Hanrahan, Hall & Cook, LLPWhat is the National Electrical Code?
Did you know that as of 2017, there have been 15 revisions of The National Electrical Code since 1975, the year the average American home was built?
The National Electrical Code codifies the minimum requirements for the safe electrical installations in a single, standardized source. While the NEC is not itself a law, the NEC is commonly mandated by state or local law. Where the NEC is adopted, anything less than the standards set by the NEC are illegal. The NEC revision is an open process that produces a new code every three years. The process includes:
- Public Input
- Public Commentary
- NFPA Technical Session
- Standards Council Action – Appeals and Issuance of the NEC
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David R. Cook, Autry, Hanrahan, Hall & Cook, LLPMr. Cook may be contacted at
cook@ahclaw.com