Legal/Regulation

Deep Dive
Tread lightly in new risk territory, for landmines await

At the Construction Super Conference this week, contractors and arbitration lawyers shared the importance of mitigating risk by spotting "landmines" early in the preconstruction phase — when the contract is still being written.

By Joe Beeton • Dec. 14, 2018
Turner Construction, Bloomberg LP execs face bribery, bid-rigging charges

Indicted individuals allegedly inflated subs' bids, falsified work orders and more to extort roughly $15 million during a renovation of the media company's New York City offices.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 12, 2018
Mountain Valley Pipeline sued, Atlantic Coast Pipeline halted

Virginia alleged the $4.6 billion Mountain Valley project repeatedly violated environmental laws and permit talks for the $7 billion Atlantic Coast line stalled.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 12, 2018
Ohio landowners sue contractors, owner of $2.1B pipeline

The landowners claim that pipeline construction damaged their property and want owner Nexus Gas Transmission and contractors to pay for it.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 11, 2018
Michigan lawmakers advance $350M to $500M pipeline tunnel

Critics of the project have accused Gov. Rick Snyder of trying to push the project through before he leaves office in January.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 10, 2018
3 'Buffalo Billion' defendants sentenced to federal prison

The New Yorkers were also ordered to pay fines of $500,000 each for their roles in a bid-rigging scheme that netted their construction companies hundreds of millions.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 10, 2018
Supreme Court rejects challenge to DHS border wall construction waivers

The high court refused to hear a challenge to the Trump administration's waivers of environmental regulations for San Diego-area border wall projects.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 07, 2018
Federal judge allows preconstruction on stalled XL Pipeline

Lawyers for TransCanada Corp. said that certain planning activities for the pipeline would not violate the essence of the current injunction, which they say threatens 700 jobs and almost $950 million of earnings.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 29, 2018
FAA regulatory delays hamper drone expansion

Rules allowing drones to fly beyond lines of sight and over people may be on hold until the Federal Aviation Administration finalizes airborne-identification requirements as late as 2022.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 28, 2018
The Dotted Line: A successful project closeout 'starts at the beginning'

Planning and organization go a long way in keeping punch list items to a minimum and closeout documents organized.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 27, 2018
Cal/OSHA cites firm in trench death, proposes $141K fine

Bay Construction Co. workers were allegedly dismantling a trench box when the employee, still inside, was crushed by a falling support system.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 27, 2018
Opinion
How builder's risk coverage can protect buildings under construction

Every business, small or large, that embarks on a construction project needs builder's risk insurance because it typically covers things that property and liability policies don't, legal experts say.

By Alan H. Packer and Graham C. Mills
What you need to know about risk

In an industry with notoriously tight profit margins, the success of projects often comes down to effective management of risk in all its forms, ranging from rising interest rates to talent shortages to faulty workmanship.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 26, 2018
Two execs of Korean construction firm charged with defrauding US out of millions

SK Engineering & Construction staff allegedly disguised kickbacks to a U.S. Army official with fake subcontracts for a U.S. military project in South Korea.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 16, 2018
NYC delays worker safety training requirement to June 2019

The Department of Buildings postponed a Dec. 1 deadline for city workers to complete 30 hours of safety training after reportedly determining that the number of providers cannot meet demand.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 14, 2018
NYC charges construction supers in mini crane accident

The Manhattan District Attorney's office announced criminal charges against two construction supervisors in the wake of a June crane accident that resulted in serious injuries to two workers.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 13, 2018
Federal judge blocks $8B Keystone XL Pipeline construction

The court order prevents construction until the administration performs an in-depth review of the project's potential environmental and cultural impacts.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 13, 2018
Which hazards top OSHA's 10 most-cited safety violations list?

Here is a breakdown of the total number of violations on this year's list per standard as well as details about each standard.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 12, 2018
Atlanta City Council commits $2B for $5B Gulch development

Developer CIM Group has agreed to provide a community benefits package worth at least $58 million, but critics of the mixed-use project don't think it's enough to dodge gentrification.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 08, 2018
Fairground advocacy group files injunction to stop construction of Nashville MLS stadium

The motion for a temporary restraining order is the latest salvo of the lawsuit, which Save our Fairgrounds filed on Sept. 4.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 06, 2018
Massachusetts contractor fined $837K for wage violations

Force Corp. allegedly failed to make timely wage payments to employees and took illegal deductions from their paychecks for tools, safety equipment, discipline and advances.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 05, 2018
OSHA cites Florida roofer in fatal fall, proposes $134K fine

The agency cited Kasper Roofing & Construction for the accident and for not training its other employees on fall hazards.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 05, 2018
California contractors pegged in alleged $6M fraud

Charges against the company's owners include workers' compensation fraud and underpaying employees.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 02, 2018
Advocacy group launches legal battle against Los Angeles Metro high-density plan

Fix the City claims the city's infrastructure should be up to standards before it proceeds with high-density growth along the light-rail Expo Line.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 01, 2018
AIA addresses industry nuances with 13 contract updates

This round of revisions includes the option for a contractor and subcontractor to set terms and conditions for a deal with multiple scopes of work and updates to better address legal issues involved in joint ventures.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 31, 2018