Facts: The insured provided architectural design services for a single floor high-end renovation condominium project ($7.5M renovation budget).  After the project was completed the insured was owed $65,000 in fees.  When architect requested the outstanding fees, the owner (a wealthy, high-profile figure) indicated that he was unhappy with a number of features of the condominium, […]

Facts: Insured provided architectural services, including construction administration with review of payment applications to a church assembly group. Contractor abandoned the project after receiving $1.1 million in funds for material. Contactor could not be located at the time the lawsuit was filed, had no insurance and was bankrupt. Alleged damages in excess of $2 million. […]

Facts: Insured, structural engineer, designed a 2 story deck for a 3 unit condo complex. While standing on the deck, the railing came off and plaintiff fell 30 feet to the street making him paraplegic (he was intoxicated at the time of the incident). Claimed damages $37 million for future lost wages, pain and suffering, […]

Facts: Insured provided structural engineering services in connection with a structural podium, which was to support a 4 story wood frame condo. Insured contracted directly with the developer/GC. The insured discovered that there were beams, which were undersized in the structure. Claim against the insured: Initially it was believed that beams were undersized and needed […]

Facts: Insured, architect, was retained to design a new sanctuary, social hall, office space and community gathering area for a Synagogue project. The Congregation claimed that the building did not meet the objectives and functionality of the Congregation, the applicable building codes were not followed and there were ADA concerns. The building received numerous design […]

Facts: An employee at an automatic car wash was crushed by a truck when he jumped in front of it to try and stop it. The insured, civil engineer, designed a grading plan for a car wash over 16 years ago. The named insured acquired another firm and the predecessor firm was an additional insured […]

Facts: Insured served as the MEP for a 244 unit condo project, under 3 separate contracts. The insured was advised that condensation was forming on windows in several units. The HOA claimed damages in excess of $15,000,000. Claim against the insured: It was alleged that the units did not receive enough fresh air from the […]

Source: Construction Executive, May 2013 By: George H. DuBose The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) issued a year ago is a noble step forward for the design and construction community because it includes measures intended to create more efficient and higher performing buildings. However, the push toward green codification has some looming consequences that should […]

Read here about a study in Arkansas that found no contamination in drinking water wells resulting from hydraulic fracturing.  

Source: http://science.nbcnews.com, May 16, 2013 By: John Roach The current boom in U.S. natural gas production from glassy shale rock formations is poised to usher in an era of energy independence and could bridge the gap between today’s fossil-fuel age and a clean-energy future. But that future may be swamped in a legacy of wastewater, […]

Source: http://www.courierpress.com, May 15, 2013 By: Len Wells A compromise has been reached in the Illinois legislature on a bill that would regulate the practice of high volume, high pressure hydraulic fracturing in Illinois. If approved, proponents believe an oil boom will be unleashed in Southern Illinois as producers target the oil-rich New Albany Shale […]

Source: http://www.foxandhoundsdaily.com, May 14, 2013 By: Daniel Weintraub California’s economy has been powered for decades by technology, trade and tourism — businesses and jobs mostly near the coast from San Diego to Los Angeles and around the San Francisco Bay Area. The state’s great inland valleys, while serving as a breadbasket for the world, have […]