Fairfield Connecticut Building Expert Directory

Digital Twins for a Safer Built Environment

November 24, 2019 — Cristina Savian - AEC Business
As a native of Turin Italy, I was horrified at the Ponte Morandi bridge collapse last year. As a child and as an adult I have travelled over that bridge more times than I can imagine and have often pondered the what-if scenarios. What if it had happened when I or my loved ones were travelling on that bridge? As a chartered construction professional, I ask myself, what could have been done, what should have been done and what can we do to prevent this from happening in the future? Having access to a digital twin with an integrated understanding of the way the bridge was designed, built and performed over the last 50 years and being able to run “what if” scenarios would have allowed us to have a much greater understanding of the structure and its limitations in its context. This is where I believe a digital twin of any built asset is a step in the right direction. The digital twin has been proclaimed by many as a milestone innovation in the construction industry, with huge benefits to constructors and owners of assets through efficiencies in manufacturing and operation but also to attracting users of the spaces they replicate. However, digital replicas can take a broad range of forms depending on its purpose, use and application sparking debates among professionals on what they actually are and what represents a ‘true’ twin. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Cristina Savian, AEC Business

Construction Litigation Roundup: “Give a Little Extra …”

July 31, 2024 — Daniel Lund III - Lexology
Surplus lines insurers in Louisiana are considered by the state to be “an alternative type of property and casualty insurance coverage for consumers who cannot get coverage on the standard market … for specialty risk or high-risk situations….” As a quid pro quo for undertaking the exceptional risk, a surplus lines insurer argued to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that an arbitration clause within its surplus line policy should be enforceable, notwithstanding a Louisiana statute applying to the insurance industry and prohibiting terms in insurance policies “delivered or issued for delivery” in Louisiana which have the effect of “[d]epriving the courts of this state of the jurisdiction or venue of action against the insurer.” La. R.S. 22:868. Historically in Louisiana, arbitration clauses have been understood to divest courts of jurisdiction, and, consequently, §22:868 has been held to memorialize an “anti-arbitration policy,” although the statute does not specifically mention arbitration. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Daniel Lund III, Phelps
Mr. Lund may be contacted at daniel.lund@phelps.com

July Sees Big Drop in Home Sales

August 27, 2013 — CDJ STAFF
The Commerce Department reported a 13.9 percent drop in sale of new homes for July. Over the course of the last 12 months, home sales had risen 7 percent. According to economists, an annual rate of about 700,000 homes would be a sign of a healthy economy. The July sales fell well short of that, at an annual rate of 394,000. New home starts were also down. Experts attribute the decline in sales and building to increases in mortgage rates, even though the rates remain historically low. Despite the slump in home sales in July, builder confidence rose to a high in August. Read the court decision
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Happenings in and around the West Coast Casualty Seminar

April 02, 2014 — Beverley BevenFlorez-CDJ STAFF
For those who are attending the West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar May 15th-16th, the Construction Defect Journal has compiled a list of concerts, sporting events, and museum exhibitions taking place in and around Anaheim that week. Whether you like to spend your personal time checking out a new band, or watching your favorite Angel slide into home, or perusing the local art museum, there is something to spark your interest. CONCERT VENUES THE HOUSE OF BLUES IN ANAHEIM Blessthefall with Silverstein, The Amity Affliction, SECRETS and Heartist Tuesday, May 13th, 2014 Doors Open at 6pm / Show Begins at 7pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... THE HOUSE OF BLUES IN ANAHEIM Stephen "Ragga" Marley Saturday, May 17th, 2014 Doors Open at 8pm / Show Begins at 9pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... THE GROVE OF ANAHEIM Lindsey Stirling plus special guest Dia Frampton Wednesday, May 14, 2014 Doors Open at 7pm / Show Begins at 8pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... THE GROVE OF ANAHEIM Primal Fear Thursday, May 15, 2014 Doors Open at 6:30pm / Show Begins at 7pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... THE GROVE OF ANAHEIM Jillian Michaels 'Maximize Your Life' Tour Friday, May 16, 2014 Doors Open at 6pm / Show begins at 8pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... SPORTING EVENTS ANGEL’S STADIUM - BASEBALL The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v. Tampa Bay Rays Thursday, May 15th at 7:05pm Friday, May 16th at 7:05pm Saturday, May 17th at 6:05pm Sunday, May 18th at 12:35pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS MUZEO Transcending Trash: The Art of Upcycling Sat Apr 26 – Sun Aug 31, 2014 Museum Days/Hours: Tuesday – Sunday (Closed Mondays) / 10 am to 5 pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... BOWERS MUSEUM (Santa Ana) BEETHOVEN: THE LATE GREAT February 8, 2014 - May 18, 2014 Museum Days/Hours: Tuesday – Sunday (Closed Mondays) / 10 am to 4 pm For More Information and to Purchase Tickets... Read the court decision
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Understanding the Details: Suing Architects and Engineers Can Get Technical

November 02, 2017 — Steven M. Cvitanovic & Stephen M. Tye - Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP
Before suing an architect or engineer for professional negligence, a plaintiff must obtain a “certificate of merit” (“Certificate”) under Code of Civil Procedure section 411.35. Boiled down to the basics, the Certificate declares that the attorney consulted with and received an opinion from an expert that a reasonable and meritorious case exists against said design professional. The Certificate must be filed before serving the complaint on any defendant, but can be filed within 60 days under certain circumstances. This rule was recently analyzed against another long-standing rule in California, known as the “relation-back doctrine.” Under the relation-back doctrine, a court will deem a later-filed pleading, such as an amended complaint, to be deemed filed at the time of an earlier complaint. In Curtis Engineering Corp. v. Superior Court of San Diego County, No. D072046, (Cal. Ct. App. 10/23/17), the Fourth Appellate Court considered the interplay between section 411.35 and the relation-back doctrine, holding that a Certificate filed more than 60 days after filing the original pleading does not relate back to the filing of the original pleading. Reprinted courtesy of Steven Cvitanovic, Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP and Stephen Tye, Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP Mr. Cvitanovic may be contacted at scvitanovic@hbblaw.com Mr. Tye may be contacted at stye@hbblaw.com Read the court decision
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Safeguarding History: Fire Risks in Renovating Historic Buildings

January 28, 2025 — Birgitte Messerschmidt - Construction Executive
The renovation of historic and unique buildings is both a labor of love and a huge responsibility. Rich in stories and architectural beauty, these structures link communities to their past. However, giving new life to these iconic buildings through renovation projects can place them in jeopardy, as fire-related risks remain a significant challenge. This is evidenced by the number of devasting fire tragedies that have happened during work on these structures, including at the Glasgow School of Art in 2014 and 2018 and the Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2019, showcasing how vulnerable these buildings are amid the status quo of renovation protocols. Preventing these types of fire-related incidents during future historic building renovations, maintaining compliance with codes and standards such as NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, and NFPA 914, Code for the Protection of Historic Structures, must be a top priority for all workers on site. These resources provide workers with the proper tools and guidelines to address the intricate challenges that come with these operations. Reprinted courtesy of Birgitte Messerschmidt, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the court decision
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The Legal 500 U.S. 2024 Guide Names Peckar & Abramson a Top Tier Firm in Construction Law and Recognizes Nine Attorneys

July 15, 2024 — Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
Peckar & Abramson, P.C. (P&A) is pleased to announce The Legal 500 United States has once again ranked P&A as a Tier One firm in construction law. The publication also recognized nine P&A construction lawyers in its directory for their contributions in the United States:

Levi W. Barrett – Recommended Lawyers
Michael A. Branca – Leading Lawyers
Steven M. Charney – Recommended Lawyers
Gregory H. Chertoff – Recommended Lawyers
Adam P. Handfinger – Next Generation Partners
Timothy D. Matheny – Key Lawyers
Paul Monte – Leading Lawyers
Gerard J. Onorata – Key Lawyers
Robert S. Peckar – Hall of Fame

P&A is proud to be recognized each year by several legal ratings services, including our Tier 1 ratings by Chambers both nationally and in a number of jurisdictions around the country. Steven M. Charney commented, “Receiving this prestigious recognition by Legal 500 signifies the exceptional caliber of our team, their unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled legal solutions, and their ability to navigate complex challenges. We are dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of service and are proud to be recognized as leaders in the field of construction law.” Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Peckar & Abramson, P.C.

E-Commerce Logistics Test Limits of Tilt-Up Construction

January 28, 2019 — Jeff Rubenstone - Engineering News-Record
While “fulfillment centers” and other e-commerce logistic facilities drive a hot market for the manufacturing sector, traditional construction methods such as tilt-up concrete panels are being pushed to ever-greater heights. At a recent project in Tulsa, Okla., contractor Clayco oversaw installation of tilt-up composite panels that reached 81 ft in height, using an unusual brace and a lot of careful pre-planning. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Jeff Rubenstone, ENR
Mr. Rubenstone may be contacted at rubenstonej@enr.com

FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT BUILDING EXPERT DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES