WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP? | A shallow concrete pour leads to an interesting lawsuit
On the desk of President Harry S. Truman sat a sign that read, “The Buck Stops Here.”
In a case of professional negligence, the contractor’s expert opined that “the buck stops . . . with the quality assurance manager.” This is the conclusion of the 12-year history (from contract award to the most recent of several court opinions) of W.C. English, Inc. v. Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLC, et al., U.S. District Court, Western Dist. of Virginia, Lynchburg Division, Case No. 6:17-cv-00018 (Oct. 13, 2021). Continue reading the article at Roads & Bridges publication.
Roads & Bridges | Reshaping Agreements
RESHAPING AGREEMENTS | Oral Agreements Must Be Written in Stone
Reuse, reshaping, and/or reapplication of existing materials was the goal in this roadway […]
Pay-If-Paid Unenforceable in Virginia Starting Jan. 1, 2023
As of Jan. 1, 2023, pay-if-paid clauses are unenforceable, regardless of whether a surety/payment bond claim is involved. This is only for […]
How Short is Too Short
A limitations period is too short when it’s unreasonably short.
Construction Contracting Without Relief Clauses During COVID-19
What to do if your contract lacks the parts to handle COVID-19? Considerations for creating new contracts during COVID-19.
Your Contract Can Handle COVID-19
Uncertainty and risk are not new or novel to contractors. Contracts reduce uncertainty and share the risk of doing or providing something. COVID-19 may have contributed to, but it has not single-handedly created, uncertainty and risk.
Contractors Can Use RFI to Notify the Government
The Board (and the government) should not elevate form over substance in evaluating the sufficiency of a contractor’s notice.
Taxes Due!
It’s tax season again, so it’s time to pay the piper.
Contractor Wins when Government Reconsiders Accord
Ever had buyer’s remorse or second-guessed a decision? When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did that, a Contractor won its claim […]
Claim Certified with Digital Signature Deemed OK
The law is not a trend-setter. It doesn’t readily change or adapt to tech. So, a commonplace practice in business became a dispute when a claimant digitally certified a claim under the Contract Disputes Act.










