Source: http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com, September 18, 2007
Scott Wall Construction of Olympia brought a lawsuit against Lacey Fire District No. 3 in October 2005, alleging that the district was responsible for deficient plans and unfair management by TCF Architecture of Tacoma and Olympic Associates Co. of Seattle, regarding the construction of three fire stations. The suit claimed that unfair management by TCF Architecture, the architect, and Olympic Associates, the construction manager, added time and millions of dollars in costs to the project. Sources stated that Scott Wall Construction had no legal right to sue the architect or construction manager individually because its contract was with the district. In a bid to shield itself from heavy losses, the district signed an agreement that enabled Scott Wall Construction to sue the architect and construction manager directly in the district’s name.
In a settlement reached, the architect and construction manager will pay $1 million through their insurers, although both maintain they did nothing wrong. The fire district and Scott Wall Construction did not face any monetary impact as part of the settlement agreement. TCF Architecture and Olympic Associates agreed to the deal in order to avoid the costs and risks associated with protracted litigation. [THE OLYMPIAN: FIRE STATION CONSTRUCTION]