Construction code purveyor calls Supreme Court's ruling that annotated code can't be copyrighted 'monumental'

The court's decision could have an impact on other similar cases, like the International Code Council's lawsuit against online code provider Upcodes, which heralded the decision.

By Kim Slowey • April 29, 2020

Massachusetts union members advised to return to work following strikes

Effective April 21, the work stoppage directive issued by the state's largest industry union earlier this month is no longer in effect for essential projects with acceptable COVID-19 safety protocols.

By Kim Slowey • April 24, 2020

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Legal Issues

Contracts, disputes, change orders and delays can keep builders up at night. Construction Dive covers some of the top issues facing the industry.

By Construction Dive staff

April Mailbag: Construction attorney answers readers' coronavirus legal questions

Among other questions, U.S. contractors want to know when their projects are "essential" and what to do if a worker is exposed to COVID-19. 

By Jennifer Goodman • April 21, 2020

Feds on track to begin equal employment opportunity audits

New letters for construction firms working on public contracts might mean agencies will begin cracking down on EEO measures, and contractors shouldn't rely on the coronavirus pandemic to give them a break, an expert said.

By Kim Slowey • April 20, 2020

Paying employees during a coronavirus-related project suspension: What do federal laws say?

As the number of contractors faced with a project suspension continues to mount, one increasingly common question arises: "Am I obligated to pay my employees for time off during a COVID-19-related suspension?”

By Roscoe Green and Benjamin Briggs • April 17, 2020

Construction boss in Oregon charged with $65M tax evasion

Victor Hugo Lopez-Diaz's employment tax fraud, involving other contractors as well, could be one of the state's largest ever prosecuted, officials said.

By Kim Slowey • April 16, 2020

Mortenson, Trammell Crow reach $9M settlement on Colorado Convention Center project

The two contractors have entered into an agreement with the city and county of Denver to settle civil claims related to the $233 million project.

By Kim Slowey • Updated Jan. 5, 2021

OSHA issues guidance for recording COVID-19 cases

Contractors only have to record a COVID-19 case when there is "reasonably available" evidence that it may be work related.​ 

By Kim Slowey • April 15, 2020

Biggest OSHA fines of Q1 2020

Falls took center stage again this quarter, but some high-profile projects like the Hard Rock Hotel New Orleans also made the list.

By Kim Slowey • April 14, 2020

New York expands prevailing wage laws to private construction projects

Many projects worth $5 million or more and that receive 30% of construction costs from public agencies must now comply with state prevailing wage laws, which differ by county.

By Kim Slowey • April 13, 2020

After a coronavirus-related project suspension, take these steps to protect your rights

A force majeure clause should not discourage contractors from taking the steps necessary to preserve their claims, writes attorney Roscoe Green.

By Roscoe Green • April 9, 2020

Trump administration clarifies that paycheck protection loan program applies to all small construction firms

The Treasury Department released new guidance regarding its small business stimulus loans yesterday after the Associated General Contractors of America raised concerns that many small contractors appeared to be excluded.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 8, 2020

OSHA cites engineer, 10 contractors in deadly Hard Rock New Orleans collapse

OSHA imposed a total of more than $315,000 in fines for project safety violations, including a willful citation of $154,000 to Heaslip Engineering.

By Kim Slowey • April 7, 2020

Vital actions every construction project needs to take to tackle COVID-19 now

 Every project is struggling with hurdles prompted by COVID-19. Here are ways you can tackle the problems now. 

April 3, 2020

Projects that don't follow NYC's new essential construction guidelines face shutdowns, fines

The city has already issued more than 100 violations and stop-work orders for noncompliance with state orders but says it's seen "overwhelming compliance" overall.

By Kim Slowey • April 3, 2020

The right contract provisions can protect construction firms from coronavirus-related shutdown costs

Attorney Roscoe Green says contractors can be on the hook for damages and delays even if a project is suspended for reasons out of their control. 

By Roscoe Green • April 2, 2020

5 steps to proactively prepare your construction project to get back online after the COVID-19 crisis

When the world returns to normalcy, inevitably there will be questions about schedule delays and a scramble for labor, materials and equipment. Your company can stay ahead of the curve by taking action now, an expert explains.

By Larry Dany and Garrett Gibson • March 31, 2020

Construction workers express concerns about coronavirus, question their rights

Readers wrote to Construction Dive that laborers are faced with making individual decisions during the coronavirus pandemic — stay home or risk being exposed at work.

By Kim Slowey • March 30, 2020

March Mailbag: Construction attorneys answer readers' coronavirus legal questions

U.S. contractors are facing uncertainty around issues like health threats to workers, government stoppages and supply chain delays. Here, construction attorneys break down some of the legal ramifications.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 26, 2020

Washington state bans construction, Boston extends moratorium

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's clarification updated Monday's mandate that appeared to exempt construction while Boston Mayor Martin Walsh extended his construction ban despite calls from his governor to lift it.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 26, 2020

Global Safety: A look into Australia's safety operations

What can global safety leaders teach us locally? Australia is sharing what they’re doing to make construction safer.

March 26, 2020

Construction can continue in New York, California and Illinois amid shutdown orders. In other regions, it's banned

The three state mandates exempt construction but with caution and caveats. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania's and some Massachusetts cities' orders effectively stop construction.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 23, 2020

Trump signs emergency coronavirus bill granting paid leave opposed by construction group

The bill contains two key provisions covering workers employed by private entities and individuals that employ fewer than 500 employees.

By Ryan Golden , Jean Dimeo • March 19, 2020

Governors, senators urge Trump to help states expand hospitals for anticipated coronavirus patients

Lawmakers such as Andrew Cuomo and Elizabeth Warren say most states do not have the resources to build the necessary healthcare facilities and need federal and private-sector assistance.

By Kim Slowey • March 19, 2020

Tutor Perini, developer fight over lien, claims of defective work at Florida hotel

The owner of the Dalmar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale claims it's due $12 million in damages from the general contractor over defective work, including malfunctioning elevators and water leaks. 

By Kim Slowey • March 19, 2020