Originally posted 2012-07-02 09:00:23. I have discussed the importance of every word in a construction contract on multiple occasions at Construction Law Musings. The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia recently gave another reminder that one area that can act as a sword or shield in a contract is the language […]
Are Construction Contract Limitation of Liability Clauses on the Way Out in Virginia?
Remember BAE Systems and Fluor? This post is the third here at Construction Law Musings relating to this case which is a seemingly never-ending source for content. In the prior post discussing this case, the Court found that Va. Code 1-4.1:1 which bars waiver of a right to payment before work is performed did not […]
Uniwest Rides Again (or, Are Architects Subject to Va. Code Section 11-4.1?)
Originally posted 2018-10-03 11:07:55. In 2010, the Virginia Supreme Court held in Uniwest Const., Inc. v. Amtech Elevator Servs., Inc., that Va. Code Sec. 11-4.1 renders completely void and unenforceable any indemnification provision in a construction contract between a contractor and subcontractor that seeks to indemnify the indemnified party from its own negligent acts. In […]
Fraud, the VCPA and Construction Contracts
Originally posted 2014-11-10 09:36:15. I’ve discussed the economic loss rule here at Musings on several occasions. The economic loss rule basically states that where one party assumes a duty based in contract or agreement, the Virginia courts will not allow a claim for breach of that duty to go forward as anything but a contract […]
Construction Contract Basics: Venue and Choice of Law
Previously in this on-again-off-again series of posts on construction contract basics, I discussed attorney fees provisions and indemnification. In this installment, the topic at hand is venue and choice of law. As construction professionals (outside of us construction attorneys), you are likely to be focused on things like the scope of work in a construction […]