Construction Law
Lawsuits flourish in the construction industry. The presence of multiple contractors on a site provides an injured worker with many parties to sue. Additionally, construction defect claims against both contractors and design professionals are becoming more common. Even a simple lawsuit can become complex, multi-party litigation involving counterclaims and third-party claims for contribution or indemnity.
These lawsuits often result in related coverage disputes among contractors, subcontractors and their insurers. Stone & Johnson’s attorneys are experienced in handling these claims and represent owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, construction managers and subcontractors of all tiers. Many of the firm’s attorneys have a wide range of hands-on experience in the construction industry, which allows them to understand and defend construction cases in an aggressive, successful and cost effective manner.
Complementing their experience in litigating construction claims, Stone & Johnson’s attorneys have considerable expertise in the associated areas of insurance coverage and risk transfer. This knowledge and experience allows the firm to provide its clients with advice on the best risk transfer strategies available for a particular project to reduce or eliminate exposure to liability at the contract negotiation stage. Stone & Johnson’s attorneys also examine lawsuits under both defense and coverage/risk transfer criteria to provide their clients with the greatest protection of their assets and loss history by taking advantage of Illinois’ unique and evolving target tender law.
Stone & Johnson attorneys are leaders in advising construction industry groups on contractual risk transfer and aggressive risk management techniques. These services include the drafting of contracts regarding insurance, indemnity, and subrogation, and implementing effective safety and early claim investigation programs.
The firm’s construction clients range from multi-national general contractors to local trade contractors. In representing larger clients, the attorneys have a great depth of experience with public and private projects, joint ventures, OCIP and CCIP programs. For trade contractors, the firm has experience working with many specialties, including concrete, crane operation, blasting, demolition, excavation, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, paving, ironwork, utilities, roofing, steel fabrication and steel erection.
