Lauren R. MacLellan – January 30, 2013 Last month, the Massachusetts Appeals Court further eroded legal protections for contractors seeking to defend themselves against claims by condominium associations and condominium unit owners. Before this decision, contractors and other construction professionals (like architects) often used a legal defense known as the economic loss doctrine as a… Continue reading Yet Another Reason That Condo Work is Risky for MA Contractors
Month: February 2013
Interpreting California Insurance Contracts
Chip Merlin – February 5, 2013 Ken Kan and I were debating how a California judge should interpret an insurance contract covering a fire loss in Modesto, California. Interpreting insurance contracts is not as easy as many think. Heck, most people cannot even read through an entire policy without falling asleep. Interpreting insurance contracts is a… Continue reading Interpreting California Insurance Contracts
Maximize Your Insurance Recovery for Business Income Losses Related to Hurricane Sandy
Michelle Claverol – February 3, 2013 Many New York business owners have been denied insurance recovery based on causation issues (i.e., property damages and business income losses were caused by flood which is excluded under most policies). However, many insurance policies provide a measure of coverage and recovery through Civil Authority and Ingress/Egress provisions, which… Continue reading Maximize Your Insurance Recovery for Business Income Losses Related to Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill “Blows In” Opportunity For States To Adopt Better Building Codes
Shari Shapiro – February 4, 2013 The fifty billion dollar (yes, that’s $50,000,000,000) Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill (the “Relief Bill”) is headed to President Obama’s desk for his signature. The Full Text of the bill is available here http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr152rds/pdf/BILLS-113hr152rds.pdf The Relief Bill provides several different opportunities for the Federal government to encourage states to adopt up-to-date building codes… Continue reading Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill “Blows In” Opportunity For States To Adopt Better Building Codes
California Adopts New Building Standards
Alison Rice – February 1, 2013 The new code includes stricter energy efficiency requirements and more straightforward rules for accessibility. Given California’s reputation for regulation, the state’s 2013 Building Standards Code could have been a headache and a half for builders. But the newest version of the code, adopted by the California Building Standards Commission… Continue reading California Adopts New Building Standards