Construction Defect

Contract terms addressing indemnity and requirements to hold another harmless or responsible for the defense of another are contract terms that appear in virtually all construction contracts.  Despite their almost universal incorporation, they are frequently misunderstood! Everyday business decisions are made, and contracts incorporating these terms are signed, yet these terms are often misunderstood, not fully appreciated, and found confusing by many. In general terms, ...
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Authored by attorney Casaundra M. Maimone Subcontractors should review proposed terms and negotiate final terms that are best suited to their role on the project.  One concern is the impact of clauses incorporated by reference that might involve scope of work, quality, payment and disputes. In government contacts many clause must be “flowed down” to subcontractors, but not all clauses are required, and these requirements ...
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Authored by attorney Patrick A. Genzler Electronic mail has become the de facto principal means of communication for most businesses today.  And, in most businesses, email is widely used by many employees to perform company business.  However, the ease with which we can communicate and transmit documents by email comes with certain risks, particularly when your company becomes involved in a claim, litigation or an ...
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Authored by attorney George M. Nicholos Falls are the leading cause of death in construction according to the latest OSHA reports. OSHA or the Occupational Safety Health Administration was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act enacted by Congress in 1970. Under the Act, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and MUST provide their workers with a workplace that does not ...
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Authored by attorney George M. Nicholos The Architecture Billings Index for February of 2013 indicates a continued strong pace in design activity in architectural firms and suggests an oncoming jump in nonresidential construction spending during the second half of this year. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is a composite index derived from monthly report surveys from member firms located throughout the country regarding “work-on-the-boards,” and ...
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Authored by attorney James R. Harvey The 2013 Virginia General Assembly passed a new law further complicating Virginia’s mechanic’s lien laws. The bill, which passed with wide support in the House of Delegates and Senate amends Va. Code §43-3 to now prohibit liens by those without a valid Virginia contractor’s license. “A person who performs labor without a valid license or certificate issued by the ...
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Authored by attorney Neil Lowenstein Landowners hire contractors to perform work for the landowner.  Contractors then typically hire multiple subcontractors to perform various portions of that work.  And, subcontractors then hire sub-subcontractors to perform various portions of their work.  And, so on depending upon the nature of the particular project.  Often the work being performed is dangerous, and this can result in personal injury or ...
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