Since 1989, Lloyd, Gray, Whitehead & Monroe, P.C. has steadily and consistently grown from 4 to 36 attorneys providing full-service litigation for clients throughout the Southeast. We recently added another chapter to our history, opening an office in Florida to complement our headquarters in Alabama. We continue to grow and expand our staff, but ever mindful of our belief in staying lean and efficient. We serve our clients best with effective outcomes.

NEWS + MEDIA

architects and engineers

ARCHITECT’S NEGLIGENT INSPECTION EXPOSES HIM TO LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY

In Demetro v. Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, 170 A.D. 3d 437 (N.Y. 2019), a New York Appellate Court addressed whether an architect’s failure to identify deviations from its designs subjected the architect to liability for personal injuries as a result of the defective condition. On a Motion for Summary Judgment, the Court found there was a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether a contractor’s deviation from the design, and subsequent failure to correct deviation, was an intervening and superseding cause which relieved the architect from liability.

construction

GEORGIA APPELLATE COURT REINFORCES CONTRACTUAL WAIVER OF PAYMENT CLAUSE

In ALA Construction Services, LLC v. Controlled Access, Inc., ALA Construction Services, LLC (“ALA Construction”) hired subcontractor Controlled Access, LLC (“Controlled Access”) to provide equipment and related services for the construction of townhomes. 2019 WL 4463305 (Ga. App. Ct. 2019). Pursuant to their written contract, Controlled Access signed two documents entitled “Interim Waiver and Release Upon Payment”, which required it to file an affidavit of nonpayment or a claim of lien within a 60 day period or else the amount due to it by ALA Construction would be considered paid in full. ALA Construction failed to pay the agreed upon amount, but Controlled Access did not file an affidavit within the required time period.

environmental

MAUI COUNTY VOTES TO SETTLE CLEAN WATER ACT CASE PENDING REVIEW BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

The Maui County Council has voted to settle a Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Clean Water Act (“CWA”) case scheduled for oral argument before the United States Supreme Court on November 6, 2019. County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund et al., Case No. 18-260. The case was one of three pending before the U.S. Supreme Court seeking a determination of whether the CWA’s regulatory power is limited to regulating direct releases from discrete and defined sources into federally protected water or extends to indirect releases via groundwater.

employment

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES FINAL OVERTIME RULE

On September 24, 2019, the Department of Labor released its Final Rule, modifying the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (“FLSA”) overtime regulations. The Final Rule results in fewer employees being exempt, and more employees being eligible for overtime pay. As such, employers should budget to include additional expenditures in overtime for the coming year.

securities

FINRA PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON DISCLOSURE INNOVATIONS IN ADVERTISING AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC

In recently published Regulatory Notice 19-31, FINRA responded to questions regarding how members can comply with FINRA’s communications rules, Rules 2210 through 2220, when using electronic media. FINRA issued this guidance to facilitate simplified and more effective disclosure in communications with the public, particularly in the context of members’ marketing and advertising of their products and services using websites, email, social media, search advertisements, mobile applications, and other electronic media.

workers compensation

ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS FINDS EMPLOYEE’S FRAUD, OUTRAGE AND CONSPIRACY CLAIMS ARE NOT BARRED BY EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVISION OF ALA. CODE SECTION 25 5 53

On October 18, 2019, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals released an opinion holding that Plaintiff Orethaniel Swain’s (“Plaintiff”) outrage, fraud and conspiracy claims against Defendants AIG Claims, Inc., Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, Coventry Health Care Workers’ Compensation, Inc. and Jackie Angeles (“Defendants”), based on the handling of his worker’s compensation claim were not barred by the exclusive remedy provisions of Ala. Code § 25-5-53 and stated a valid claim. Swain v. AIG Claims, Inc., 2019 WL 5284748, at *10 (Ala.Civ.App. 2019).

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PRACTICE AREAS

Architects and Engineers/Design Professionals

Construction

Coverage

Employment

Environmental

Fair Housing and Public Accommodation

General Liability

Insurance Fraud/Special Investigations

Medical & Healthcare

Professional Liability

Securities

Worker's Compensation

Architects and Engineers/Design Professionals

Architects and engineers are held to a higher standard of care. When disputes arise alleging a design or engineering flaw, these professionals may be exposed to liability claims involving their livelihood, reputation and professional licensure. We recognize the level of skill and knowledge required to vigorously defend architects and engineers when they are accused of failing to meet the standard of care. We represent design professionals throughout the country.

Construction

Every construction defect dispute presents a unique set of circumstances requiring the experience and versatility our construction litigation team offers. LGWM’s Construction Practice Group includes experienced attorneys who understand the issues and complexities involving building projects.