Construction Law and Liability Defense
Construction Law
Our attorneys proudly provide high-quality legal representation to construction industry participants. Our experience derives from a broad client base. We have represented developers, owners, engineers, architects, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties, insurance companies, and lenders that design, develop or build all types of structures and buildings. Our lawyers are well-versed in the complex legal and factual issues that encompass all aspects of a construction project, as well the disputes and litigation that may result. This practical, comprehensive knowledge of the legal, technical, regulatory and business considerations specific to the construction industry provides a distinct advantage to our clients.
Project Counsel
A successful construction project requires conscientious oversight. NZA attorneys provide a full-service project team to assist with all aspects of a construction project: from conception and bidding, to contract negotiation and drafting, through construction and closeout, to prosecuting and resolving disputes. At the outset, we protect our client’s interests while negotiating a deal and advice regarding delivery methods, contract forms, insurance coverage, risk allocation, and cost. Through the life of the project, we continue to advise regarding:
- change order management
- construction delays
- design defects
- mechanics liens
- warranty issues
- project labor agreements
- insurance issues
- default and insolvency
- government requirements
- dispute resolution
This hands-on involvement benefits all participants by allowing a project to advance, successfully completing the project, while avoiding unnecessary disputes and litigation.
Liability Defense
As experienced trial lawyers, we have handled post-construction disputes involving mechanic’s liens, cost overruns, and delay claims. We have also handled many large, multi-party construction defect, property loss, and catastrophic injury claims in courtrooms throughout the country. These claims involve:
- water intrusion
- mold
- fire damage
- defective building products
- design errors
- structural and mechanical issues
- regulatory issues
- catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims
Through years of handling these claims, we have developed close working relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, industrial hygienists, and medical experts to assist in the evaluation and resolution of a dispute. These experts provide a realistic assessment of a claim’s strengths, enabling us to collaborate with the client to determine the best course of action early on.
We have also litigated many cases involving OCIP and CCIP policies, as well as a host of additional insured/targeted tender issues. We have represented the following firms/entities/individuals on many occasions:
- Owners and developers
- General contractors and construction managers
- Design professionals
- Construction machinery manufacturers and operators, including tower and boom cranes
- Heavy construction earth-moving machinery operators
- Material suppliers
- Subcontractors
- Inspectors
- Industrial safety and hygiene firms
Some of our more notable cases include the John Hancock scaffold accident, the River North tower crane incident, and the Indiana elevated ramp/bridge collapse. All involved multiple parties and defendants. All were resolved to the satisfaction of our clients.
At NZA, we combine our technical knowledge of the construction industry with our well- honed dispute resolution and courtroom skills to resolve cases involving construction and design defects, financing issues, products liability and personal injury. We focus on the best way to economically protect reputations, and investments, and to win cases. Practical experience and pragmatic approaches define our management of litigation challenges. We are mindful that, although we are willing to prepare and take any dispute to trial, alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, arbitration, and other creative problem-solving methods are often the best and most cost-efficient dispute resolution strategy.