Flood Basics still causing pain for some
Climate-Proofing Our Infrastructure: Building Climate Resilience with the Army Corps of Engineers
The Calm Before and After the Storm: How to Maximize Insurance Recovery for Catastrophic Weather Events
Law Brief®: David Pfeffer and Richard Schoenstein Discuss the Legal Implications of Infrastructure Collapses
Employer Responsibilities During the Texas Winter Storm
Filing Insurance Claims After the Texas Winter Storm
Hurricane Season Begins
In the wake of increasingly frequent natural disasters, construction insurance has become more critical than ever. While many stakeholders view insurance as just another project cost, it is actually your first line of defense...more
In the wake of the tragic disaster still unfolding in multiple communities of Southern California, Governor Newsom has issued an executive order (Executive Order N-4-25) intended to “expedite recovery” from the disaster by...more
As the start of 2025 has already shown with the destructive Los Angeles wildfires, the impact of climate change on businesses and homes can be devastating. Many owners and construction contractors were already grappling with...more
The recent derecho storm caused severe damage throughout Houston and the surrounding area. The intense winds and flash flooding served as a costly lesson to many contractors and project owners. With the expected active...more
The cost of construction insurance in Florida is having developers second-guess their willingness to invest in the Sunshine State, while business leaders are growing concerned that higher insurance costs may slow Florida’s...more
In the construction industry, resilience generally refers to a building’s or infrastructure element’s ability to avoid, mitigate, absorb, or recover from physically destructive events, with an eye toward overall longevity. ...more
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Orders 22-218 and 22-219 on Sept. 23 and 24, 2022, respectively, declaring a state of emergency due to Tropical Depression Nine (also referred to as Hurricane Ian) across the entire...more
Hurricane Ian will likely be remembered as one of the largest and costliest natural disasters to hit Florida in history. Commercial buildings, infrastructure and residences throughout the state were destroyed and are in...more
Last month, a construction worker died as a storm swept through a construction site in Lebanon, Indiana. The preliminary investigation determined that the contractor was on an elevated platform while working on an industrial...more
What follows is a cautionary tale for anyone involved who fails to follow a natural disaster preparedness plan. Taking short cuts and failing to follow agreed upon emergency preparedness plans are a recipe for disaster. While...more
On the latest Law Brief® episode, David Pfeffer, Partner and Chair of the Construction Practice, joins Host Richard Schoenstein to discuss the legal implications of building collapses, and more common partial collapses. David...more
On July 3, 2021, through Executive Order 21-150, Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency due to the threat of Tropical Storm Elsa in 15 counties, including Miami-Dade and Monroe County. ...more
Perception becomes reality. Whether alarmist or denier, believer or skeptic, those responsible for making decisions in response to the perceived threat of climate change have taken the side of caution over indecision and...more
Dear YouDig? We are thrilled to be adding a four story children’s wing to our hospital. Construction was progressing well and near completion. Last week a blizzard with sub-zero temperatures blew through. When we returned...more
As discussed in our previous client alert, on July 31, 2020, through Executive Order 20-181, Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency in the following counties due to the threat of Hurricane Isaias: Brevard, Broward,...more
The offshore wind sector continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, particularly in Europe, and increasingly in Asia and North America. The construction phase of any project is vulnerable to delay. That is particularly the...more
In response to Hurricane Dorian, Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order No. 19-190 (reaffirming and amending Executive Order No. 19-189) declaring a state of emergency for all 67 counties in the state of Florida....more
Texas policyholders can no longer cut deals with storm repair contractors to pocket their deductibles for storm repairs. The Texas Legislature has amended the Texas Insurance Code and Texas Business & Commerce Code,...more
On August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Homestead, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. At the time, it was the third most intense hurricane that ever struck the United States. Andrew had sustained winds of 149...more
On November 1, 2017, the Ohio Board of Building Standards (OBBS) adopted an update to the Ohio Building Code requiring the inclusion of storm shelters in the construction of educational occupancies. That update has resulted...more
Given the numerous storms which appear to be set on making landfall in the United States, most prominently category four Hurricane Florence heading toward the East Coast, it makes sense to take a quick look at what...more
Lend Lease (US) Constr. LMB Inc. v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co., No. 11, 2017 N.Y. LEXIS 112 (N.Y. Feb. 14, 2017) - Early, in its opinion, the New York Court of Appeals noted that “[o]ne of the most dramatic images of...more
Governor Scott, for the second time, has extended the State of Emergency issued for the Zika Virus. As a result, holders of development orders and building permits have another opportunity to claim a longer extension. The...more
In accordance with Section 252.363, Florida Statutes, when the governor declares a state of emergency in Florida, the time to exercise rights under a permit, authorization or development order is tolled and an opportunity to...more
Construction labor is always in the news. Last month, I wrote an article for the Nashville Business Journal challenging industry leaders on how to respond to the shortage of skilled labor in the area. Recently, the U.S....more