Remember all of my posts about how fraud and contract claims don’t usually play well in litigation? Well, as always with the law, there are exceptions. For instance, a well plead Virginia Consumer Protection Act claim will survive a dismissal challenge. A recent opinion out of the Alexandria division of the U. S. District Court […]
Thoughts of a Solo Construction Lawyer (one month in)
As many of my loyal readers (thank you to you all) know, I went solo a month ago. After the initial week or two of scrambling to set up IOLTA accounts, billing systems and computers, I am able to get down to business and now am able to make at least an initial assessment of […]
No Setoff Between Bonded and Non-Bonded Projects
As any reader of Construction Law Musings knows, payment bond claims are a big part of my law practice. You have also likely read through the federal cases relating to the Miller Act that you can find here. On trend in these federal cases in the Virginia district courts is that determining set off rights […]
Your Contractual Notice/Claim Procedures Matter
Remember how I stated that your construction contract governs the “law” of your business relationship? Remember how (at least as a subcontractor or supplier) the Virginia General Assembly stated that is no longer true in regards to pre-payment contractual mechanic’s lien waivers? Remember that most construction contracts contain a clause or two relating to claims […]
In Construction Your Contract May Not Always Preclude a Negligence Claim
Here at Construction Law Musings I have discussed the interaction of the so called “economic loss rule,” construction contracts and tort claims on numerous occasions. The general rule is that where a duty to perform in a certain way arises from the contract, the Virginia courts will not allow a plaintiff to turn a contract […]