Project Management Firm Has No Implied Duty to Ensure the Safety of Subcontractor’s Employees
The Massachusetts Superior Court (“Court”) recently held in Rodrigues v. Tribeca Builders Corp. that a project management firm whose duties are primarily logistical, managerial and administrative does not owe a duty to ensure the safety of project workers.
Read MoreThe Mechanic’s Lien – Are You Protected?
Gregory Paonessa recently had his article “The Mechanic’s Lien – Are You Protected?” published in Thomson Reuters’ Legal Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Contractors: Issues in Construction and Technology, Vol. 31, 2014/2015.
Read MoreIn Case You Missed It: Sovereign Immunity Still (Mostly) For Sovereigns
By Lucas Blackadar, Esq.
Just this past spring, the Texas Supreme Court decided Brown & Gay Engineering, Inc. v. Olivares, 461 S.W.3d 117 (Tex. 2015), a case arising from the death of two motorists – one intoxicated and one sober – on the West Park Tollway in Fort Bend County, Texas. The key question raised in the case was whether Brown & Gay Engineering (B&G), the engineering firm retained by the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority to design the signage and layout for the Tollway, could be protected under sovereign immunity. B&G was an independent contractor, so some on the Court felt that resolving that question was, more or less, a complete and utter waste of time. However, the Court decided to engage, swatted down most, if not all, of B&G’s arguments, and actually provided some helpful guidance in the process.
Read MoreConstruction Manager at Risk May Have Design Risk According to Mass. SJC
Yesterday, September 2, 2015, the Supreme Judicial Court released its Coghlin v. Gilbane opinion. Note, the case has been remanded to the Superior Court for proceedings consistent with the SJC’s opinion.
Read MoreD-B and P3s: Design Professionals Do Have Choices!
With much of the discussion of D-B and P3s frequently focused on the risks and liabilities associated with these methods, the discourse can often feel negative, leaving at least some of you thinking and asking:
“If D-B and P3s represent the dominant present and future trends for infrastructure projects and potentially other, vertical projects – are they, in reality, positive developments for design professionals and do I or my firm want to be a part of those trends, and do we actually have a choice? If we do choose to be a part of those trends, how should we go about it?”
Read MoreThe Design and Construction Management Professional Reporter: September 2015
Inside this issue:
New Jersey’s Joint Tortfeasor Law Warrants Strict Appliation in the Courts
Sovereign Immunity Still (Mostly) for Sovereigns
By Lucas M. Blackadar, Esq.
New Hampshire Supreme Court Enforces the Statute of Repose
Project Management Firm Has No Implied Duty to Ensure the Safety of Subcontractor’s Employees
Expert Testimony and Proof of an Independent Legal Duty Are Required To Establish a Design Professional’s Liability
Read MoreUncertainty in the Design and Construction Process
In an attempt to understand the varying perspectives of owners, designers and contractors, McGraw Hill Construction released a report in September 2014 identifying aspects of uncertainty in the design and construction process.
The research was undertaken by McGraw Hill Construction Research & Analytics Group and surveyed over 2,500 owners, architects and contractors in an attempt to understand and initiate a conversation about uncertainty. While the study establishes the groundwork for understanding, the next step might be to determine how to accurately “handicap” a project as a contingency in consideration of project complexity, delivery method, project owner and design and construction team familiarity with the project type, project location, and other issues that impact a successful project.
Read MoreDefining the Zone of Foreseeable Risk
By Lindsey D. Smith, Esq.
While architects and engineers understand that, by signing a contract to perform design services, they owe a duty to those with whom they contract, they may not be aware that the law extends that duty to others with whom they did not contract. Moreover, they may not be aware that courts in different states apply different legal principles to determine the scope of the duty owed.
Read MoreThe Economic Loss Rule – Variations on Enforcement
By Lindsey D. Smith, Esq.
Courts in different jurisdictions come to different conclusions on similar legal issues, often, with vastly disparate consequences for design professionals. The economic loss rule—a doctrine preventing negligence claims seeking purely economic damages—is no different.
Read MoreSeptember 3 Roundtable at the Boston Harbor Hotel
Design-Build and P3s: Risk Allocation and Professional Liability Claims Experience
Please join us on Thursday, September 3 at the Boston Harbor Hotel for a discussion led by David J. Hatem on the increasingly popular design-build and P3 delivery methods. Beyond any question, design-build is on the rise as the delivery method of choice for many public owners seeking to contain cost overrun and other project risk exposures. In addition, P3, which combines design-build with private financing, is gaining interest across the United States.
Read MoreDonovan Hatem Welcomes New Associate
Donovan Hatem is pleased to announce that James Boyce, Esq. has joined the Associate group in the New York office.
Read MoreJune 17 Roundtable at the Boston Harbor Hotel
Please join us on Wednesday, June 17 at the Boston Harbor Hotel for a panel discussion focused on recent court decisions impacting design professionals. Donovan Hatem attorneys will provide presentations on several of their cases in the last year involving professional liability claims against design professionals. Actually, there is much “good” to report!
Read MoreThe Design and Construction Management Professional Reporter: May 2015
Inside this issue:
Is Perfection Possible? Managing Uncertainty and Expectations in Building Design and Construction.
Variations on Enforcement of the Economic Loss Rule
By Lindsey D. Smith, Esq.
Massachusetts Courts Deny Contractor’s Differing Site Condition Claim Based on Disclaimer Language in the Contract Documents
By Joseph M. Gesker, Jr., Esq.
Florida Defines the Zone of Foreseeable Risk
By Lindsey D. Smith, Esq.
Read MoreMay 28 Roundtable at the Boston Harbor Hotel
Please join us on Thursday, May 28 at the Boston Harbor Hotel for “Construction Documents, Value Engineering, Shop Drawings, Submittal Reviews and Construction Phase Risks – Can They Be Avoided or Mitigated?”
Read MoreThe Accountant/Attorney Liability Reporter: December 2014
Inside this issue:
Claim for Failure to Notify of Potential Fraud Allowed to Proceed
By Lindsey D. Smith, Esq.
Choice of Law and State Securities Law Prevent Dismissal of Auditor
Fiduciary Duty and Tolling of Limitations Period Considered in Connecticut
By Courtney A. Longo, Esq.
Alabama Court Dismisses a Fraud-by-Hindsight Action for Failure to Plead with Particularity
Appellate Court of Illinois Affirms Form 4549’s Sufficiency as Notice of Injury Triggering Statute of Limitations
By Amanda E. Mathieu, Esq.
In Pari Delicto: A Viable Defense in Limited Circumstances
By Jonathan A. Barnes, Esq.
Read MoreDonovan Hatem LLP Congratulates Colin M. Black and Daniel C. Poteet
Donovan Hatem is pleased to announce that Colin M. Black and Daniel C. Poteet have been elected partners of the firm. Both will continue to practice out of the Boston Office.
Read MoreFidelity and Surety Law Committee Midwinter Meeting
Sue Yoakum, AIA and Dan Klancnik will be presenting Building Information Modeling (BIM) – Risks and Legal Concerns at the upcoming Fidelity and Surety Law Committee Midwinter meeting on January 22 from 1:30-2:15. This presentation will commence with a state-of-the-art BIM presentation by Dan Klancnik and follow with a timely presentation by Sue Yoakum on past, present and future risks associated with the use of BIM on a construction project. They will also address various legal concerns involving the use of BIM, identify “noise” relating to the use of BIM, and provide guidance regarding the handling and avoidance of BIM claims.
Read MoreDonovan Hatem LLP Welcomes New Associates
Donovan Hatem is pleased to announce that Amy Miller, Esq., Amanda Mathieu, Esq., Daniel Lagosh Jr., Esq., and Gregory Paonessa, Esq. have joined the Associate group in the Boston office.
Read MoreDecember 11 Roundtable at the Boston Harbor Hotel
Please join us on December 11 for our last roundtable of 2014! Cheryl Waterhouse, Esq., and Dan Poteet, Esq. will present Practice Requirements for A/E Firms. This roundtable will address various states’ statutory and regulatory provisions that impact the practice of architectural and engineering services through corporate entities. Breakfast and registration starts at 7:30 am in the Wharf Room, we hope to see you there!
Read MoreBrian C. Newberry unanimously re-elected House Minority Leader
Donovan Hatem LLP is pleased to announce that Brian C. Newberry, a partner has been unanimously re-elected as a Minority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Newberry, representing District 48 in North Smithfield and Burrillville, was elected to lead the caucus for the 2015-2016 legislative session. He was first elected House Minority Leader in 2011 and has been serving the people of District 48 since 2008.
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