News & Insights

Louisiana Federal Court, Interpreting A Construction Contract, Holds A Consequential Damages Waiver May Not Bar A Claim For Lost Profits

In Team Contractors, L.L.C. v. Waypoint Nola, L.L.C., et al., No. CV 16-1131, 2017 WL 4366855 (E.D. La. Sept. 29, 2017), the United States District Court for the Eastern Division of Louisiana concluded that because the contract was ambiguous as to whether the type of lost profits sought in the case were considered “consequential damage”…
Read More

United States District Court For The Western District Of North Carolina Analyzes Architectural Copyright Infringement Between Two Homebuilders

In Sedgewick Homes, LLC v. Stillwater Homes, Inc., 2017 WL 3221488 (W.D. NC. 2017), the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina ruled there was a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Stillwater Homes, Inc. (“Stillwater”) infringed upon the copyrighted architectural plans of its competitor, Sedgewick Homes, LLC (“Sedgewick”)….
Read More

The Alabama Supreme Court Confirms Discovery Must Be Limited In State Court While A Motion To Compel Arbitration Is Pending

In Ex parte Locklear Chrysler Jeep Dodge, LLC and Locklear Automotive Group, Inc., the Alabama Supreme Court granted a Petition for Writ of Mandamus (“Petition”), finding that the trial court exceeded its discretion when it granted a Motion to Compel discovery on issues unrelated to arbitration while a Motion to Compel arbitration was presently pending….
Read More

Substantial Completion Is Determinable By Courts Despite Architect’s Opinion

In Parkcrest Builders, LLC v. Housing Authority of New Orleans, 2017 WL 3394033 (E.D. LA. 2017), the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held the Court could determine whether substantial completion had been achieved, despite a contract provision assigning this determination to the Architect. The Housing Authority of New Orleans (“HANO”)…
Read More

October Is Finra Mediation Settlement Month

Every October, FINRA’s Office of Dispute Resolution significantly reduces mediation prices in order to encourage mediation and settlement of customer and industry disputes.  The goal of Settlement Month is to encourage parties to experience the benefits of mediation for the first time and to reinforce its value and effectiveness for those who have been through…
Read More

Fifth District Court Of Appeal Of Florida Holds That Subcontracts Containing Merger Clauses Will Apply Retroactively To Date Work First Commences And Failure To Adequately Plead Defense Raising Failure To Comply With Condition Precedent Acts As Bar To The Otherwise Valid Defense

In Don Facciobene, Inc. v. Hough Roofing, Inc., No. 5D15-1527, 2017 WL 3091578 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. July 21, 2017), the Fifth District Court of Appeal of Florida held that although a valid merger clause in subcontract signed after the subcontract was almost completed, it applied retroactively to the date work first commenced.  However, the…
Read More

Supervisors’ Failure To Install A Safer Saw That Was On The Premises Is Not Equivalent To A Removal Of A Safety Guard For Purposes Of Liability Under The Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act

In Saarinen v. Hall, 26 ALW 36-8 (1160066), 9/1/2017, the Supreme Court held that the failure of the employee’s supervisors to install a safer saw that was on the employer’s premises was not the equivalent of removing a safety guard from an existing saw so as to subject the supervisors to liability under the Alabama…
Read More

Ninth Circuit Provides Guidance On Certainty And Finality Requirements In Cercla Contribution Actions

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a District Court’s summary judgment in favor of the defendant in a contribution action under CERCLA, finding mining company Asarco timely brought a claim to recoup compensation from Atlantic Richfield.  Asarco, LLC v. Atlantic Richfield Co., No.14-35723 (9th Cir., August 10, 2017).   CERCLA § 113(f) provides that after…
Read More

Eleventh Circuit Holds Gender Nonconformity Claims To Be A Distinct Avenue Of Relief Under Title Vii

An Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals panel held that a “gender non-conformity claim is not ‘just another way to claim discrimination based on sexual orientation,’” but is instead a “separate, distinct avenue for relief under Title VII.” The majority opinion explained that Title VII recognizes discrimination based on a failure to conform to a gender…
Read More

Employee Bears The Burden Of Establishing Medical Causation And Conflicting Evidence Does Not Have To Be Resolved In Favor Of Employee

In Wyatt v. Baptist Health Sys., Inc., No. 2160280, 2017 WL 3096691, at *1 (Ala. Civ. App. July 21, 2017), the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals clarified that the Plaintiff bore the burden of establishing medical causation and that the fact finder did not have to resolve all reasonable doubts in conflicting medical evidence in…
Read More