Construction law firms handle a variety of cases. In addition to providing advice on the nuances of commercial real estate law, these firms tend to recommend alternative dispute resolution, which the American Arbitration Association reports is the preferred conflict-management process within this industry.
A Brief Overview of 2015 Construction Industry Cases
There were 551 construction industry cases administered by the American Arbitration Association during 2015. Each one of these cases had claims of $500,000.00 or higher. The largest case mediated during that time amounted to $2.6 billion, while the largest arbitrated case amounted to $96 million. The total value of all the claims and counterclaims added up to $5.5 billion for that year.
The American Arbitration Association also provided information on cases resolved by a single arbitrator. The largest one was for $232 million. A panel of three arbitrators resolved a claim for $23 million, which was the smallest case. It’s also important to note the time frame from filling a claim to receiving an award. In 2015, this was only 232 days, which is less than eight months.
Time Frame to File a Breach of Contract Claim
Contract breaches occur for a variety of reasons. While some may be due to situations outside a company’s control, others may be due to negligence or other circumstances. When construction company projects are located in Texas, for example, there are specific time frames within which a breach of contract claim needs to be filed. According to Texas law, this is four years. If the contract specifies two years, however, then these claims need to be filed within that time span.
Contact an Attorney for a Consultation
When you’re in the construction business, you may benefit from the services of an attorney from time-to-time. Lawyers for construction companies can provide your company with legal counsel on a variety of matters. Furthermore, if your company has experienced a breach of contract or another legal issue, lawyers for construction companies will likely recommend alternative dispute resolution.
As previously stated, this is the preferred industry method to resolve conflicts without having to go through a costly trial. In the event that a civil case is filed within the state courts, percentages vary on whether or not a plaintiff will win. A review of civil trials in 2005 revealed that plaintiffs won bench trials 68% of the time. For the cases heard in jury trials that year, plaintiffs won 54% of the time.
Once you contact an attorney for a consultation, you will be able to discuss your situation in detail. At that time, lawyers for construction companies may recommend the most effective way to proceed with your case. When you retain the services of an attorney, they will be there to assist you throughout the process.