Poor Retaining Wall Design Leads to Settlement and Cracks
A general contractor retained an architect in a design/build delivery system to design, procure materials and construct a structural retaining wall at a residential subdivision. The design lacked a proper drainage system, and the wall settled and cracked due to hydrostatic pressure. The owner sued for damages in excess of $500,000 due to necessary underpinning for structural correction of the residential foundation. The GC was responsible for $200,000 in damages.