Source: https://www.insurancejournal.com/, September 9, 2024 By: Jake Offenhartz An underwater tunnel that passes beneath New York City’s East River sprung a leak last Wednesday after a city contractor mistakenly drilled a hole through it, sending streams of water into the heavily used passage as officials scrambled to plug the opening and block off traffic. The […]

Source: https://www.lexology.com/, July 12, 2024 By: Jodie Clark McDougal and Jackson G. O’Brien, Fredrikson & Byron PA When homeowners discover defective construction, it can be difficult to understand and remedy the issues. It can be even more difficult to determine which parties are responsible. The Iowa Court of Appeals recently offered some clarity in Yakel v. […]

Source: Berkley Construction Professional A general contractor was hired to build a new home and its CAD operator designed the home with a structural flaw that caused the roof to collapse during construction resulting in significant property  damage and injury to workers on the site. The total amount paid to resolve this claim was  $375,000.

Source: Berkley Construction Professional A contractor designed a roof system for a specialized manufacturing facility and then subcontracted the construction  to a specialty roofing contractor. After the facility was completed there were major issues with the roof system. The  roofing product manufacturer declined the warranty due to the fact that it was installed without a […]

Source Berkley Construction Professional A general contractor directed its flooring subcontractor to clean the project’s tile floor as it had a cloudy film despite several prior cleaning attempts. The subcontractor utilized a caustic substance that caused corrosion to metal furniture and HVAC system components. The owner demanded these items be replaced. Unfortunately, the general  contractor’s contract with […]

Source: Berkley Construction Professional A general contractor subcontracted the installation of an HVAC system for an assisted living facility. The HVAC subcontractor submitted a value engineering alternative to the mechanical engineer who requested additional information before approving. The HVAC subcontractor did not provide the additional information and proceeded to order the equipment for the unapproved […]

Source Berkley Construction Professional A contractor drilled holes throughout the roof of a hotel while installing a cell phone tower. During a rain storm, a tarp failed to keep the rain out of the hotel.  Water intrusion occurred at several locations within guestrooms, hallways and the main lobby causing microbial damage. The total amount paid […]

Source: Berkley Construction Professional A design-build contractor completed an apartment complex and the owner alleged that concrete cracking throughout the building and on numerous balconies severely impacted the owner’s ability to rent the apartments. It was  determined that the foundation design caused the cracking. Repairs had to be made and the owner also needed to […]

Source: Berkley Construction Professional A mechanical contractor underdesigned an HVAC system for a food processing facility. This led to worker illness and the inability of the facility to be utilized for its intended purpose. An outside engineer had to be retained to alter the HVAC system. Damages included lost profits from facility downtime, worker injuries, re-design […]

Source: Distinguished Programs A specialty contractor was hired by a general contractor (GC) to design and build a retaining wall for a commercial development. The GC was responsible for the  initial site development and infrastructure. Upon completion, the building developed cracks in both the walls and floors. It was determined that the design of the  […]

Source: Distinguished Programs A GC under a design-build contract hired an HVAC subcontractor to design and install an HVAC system for a residential apartment project. Once completed and occupied, the apartment units began developing mold and  residents subsequently began complaining of respiratory problems, headaches, and other physical ailments. An error in the HVAC design plans […]

Source: https://www.thegazette.com/, September 7, 2023 By: Anthony Watt and Sarah Watson Removed brick and inadequate support structures caused the west wall at a downtown Davenport building to collapse in May, an investigative report released Thursday concluded. The report is dated Aug. 15, and was completed by two city-hired investigative engineering companies on the causes and […]