Construction Defects and Defective Building Products Part of our work representing consumers involves assisting the owners of poorly constructed homes and other buildings. We help owners evaluate their potential claims against general contractors and other parties, and we initiate litigation on behalf of the owners in appropriate circumstances. As the pace of new residential and commercial building has exploded, instances of defective construction have also escalated to unprecedented levels. These problems have been well-documented in numerous probing news reports throughout the country. A “perfect storm” of conditions has inspired this virtual epidemic of construction defects. Many subcontractors are untrained and poorly skilled. Large, national production builders rush the completion of entire neighborhoods, cutting corners along the way. They fail to oversee and adequately coordinate construction. Building products have become more complex and less forgiving, requiring greater attention in application. Government inspection departments are understaffed, overworked and underfunded. The result is a pervasive incidence of serious building code violations and shoddy workmanship. Buildings leak, foundations crack, and building materials fail. The usual scenario is that general contractors, subcontractors and component manufacturers refuse to assume responsibility for these problems. They often blame hurricanes, or other “acts of God”. If they do respond, they frequently propose “band-aid” repairs which are neither durable nor return the property to the quality for which the buyer bargained. So-called “warranties” provide little relief or protection. Owners are left with huge bills to remediate these deficiencies. Many states have specific laws related to the rights of building owners seeking to obtain recovery for construction defects, and detailed procedures they must follow. It is important for you or your lawyer to be familiar with these laws as you address your concerns about defective construction. Our team of lawyers has successfully represented thousands of homeowners around the country in their disputes with builders, subcontractors, manufacturers and other parties. For example, we have handled individual and class action lawsuits against manufacturers of defective products such as exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS), commonly known as synthetic stucco. We have represented the owners of commercial structures such as hotels and office buildings in their claims against general contractors. Our attorneys frequently represent condominium associations in construction defect cases. WHO WE REPRESENT No type of building is immune from construction defects. Although defective construction of single-family residential structures has received the most publicity, commercial and governmental buildings have been plagued by the same problems. In Florida, construction defects causing toxic mold contamination at the Martin County Courthouse led a jury to award $11.5 million against several defendants. Hotels and office buildings have been closed as a result of harmful conditions created by construction defects. Lawyers on our team have represented not only individual homeowners, but entire neighborhoods, hotel owners and owners of commercial buildings. Another aspect of our work involves representation of condominium associations. Frequently, construction defects involving the “common areas” (e.g., siding, roofing) require extensive repairs. Numerous condominium associations throughout the country have been forced to spend millions of dollars to correct deficiencies. In some cases, residents must bear steep assessments to cover repair costs. We have successfully represented condominium associations seeking to obtain recovery from general contractors and other parties responsible for defective construction. Contact the construction defect attorneys at the National Justice Coalition for a case evaluation. |
