Mold Within City Buildings: A Common & Growing Issue

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 20, 2017 7:48:22 AM / by Morris Yarjovski, CCPM, CCI

Avoiding "New Home Heartbreak"

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 1, 2017 3:38:03 PM / by Diana Bass

Since 2010, more than 200 complaints about new home construction have been received by the the Indiana Attorney General's Office.  Poor workmanship and failure to honor a warranty are some of the common complaints against builders.

Partnering with Call 6 Investigates in Indianapolis, ABC News recently interviewed CCA's CEO Mark McGivern. As a construction defect expert, McGivern provided perspective and insights into this situation:  

Construction expert Mark McGivern said water intrusion is the biggest -- and the most expensive -- problem homeowners face. 

"In some cases, it can cause mold, which then becomes a health concern," said McGivern, CEO of Construction Consulting Associates.

McGivern said there are a number of things a homeowner can do to protect themselves.

“Be an informed and educated consumer, and whether you’re buying a $200,000 house or a $2 million house, the rules apply as just good common sense,” said McGivern.

Watch the news story and hear more of McGivern's insights at the Call 6 website.

Handle with Care: Asbestos Contamination and Clean-Up

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 15, 2017 10:00:00 AM / by Robert Pfeifer, AIA

Using Experts to Solve Log Jams in Construction Defect Settlements

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 17, 2016 9:23:15 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

It is no secret that construction defect liability claims can become incredibly complicated. When something goes awry after tenants have moved in, the finger pointing game begins. Was it a design flaw or was something installed improperly? Did equipment fail or did the property manager improperly maintain it? Should the construction contractor have realized the engineers made a mistake?   When the stakes become large, which insurance company should be on the hook?

Flood protection design and construction since Katrina

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 5, 2015 12:51:08 PM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE

In the wake of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina earlier this year, Engineering News-Record reported on the current state of the flood protection system in place, and the changes that have been made since the storm.

"The fact that floodwalls around New Orleans were designed to be overtopped but remain standing says much about the post-Katrina hurricane-protection system that rings the city—and about the risks that those who live within that system still face.

Construction Defect Litigation: Engaging Your Expert Witness

[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 1, 2015 4:30:00 PM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

About this blog series:

An expert witness can make or break your construction defect case.  Unlike many other types of litigation, construction cases (of all types) are often “expert driven” in determining ultimate liability and damages. The ability of the expert not only to qualify but to work and communicate clearly and objectively with counsel and client is key.

Having served as an expert witness in hundreds of cases over the past twenty years, I believe that the expert witness who can distill complex processes into plain and simple language leaves an indelible impression on judges, juries, arbitrators, and other triers of fact.  

In this series of blog posts, I offer insight gained from my experience as a forensic expert, as well as in managing and working with other experts on cases both big and small. My experiences include working as a litigation consultant to assist carriers, counsel, and corporate clients in construction defect, breach of contract, E&O, and property claims litigation in a multitude of venues throughout the United States My hope is that those of you who retain expert witnesses will find value in understanding the perspective from the other side when vetting an expert you may not have worked with before. Even if you know the expert, these steps may provide you with insights that will enhance your dialogue with the expert and maximize the relationship and the outcome of any retention. 

Whether you are engaging an expert on behalf of a litigant party or as a non-testifying consultant, these tips may provide insights that will help to ensure that the engagement meets your needs and expectations.

Ice Arenas: Indoor Air Quality

[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 18, 2015 9:10:33 AM / by Martin Barry, PhD, PE, CIH, CSP

In December 2014, 81 spectators and players suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning after attending a minor league hockey game between the Dells Ducks and the Ice Hawks. They were hospitalized and treated for a range of symptoms including dizziness, nausea, headaches, vomiting and fainting. The cause? Local fire department officials linked the leak to the rink’s ice resurfacing machine.

The importance of proper ventilation

The situation in Wisconsin is not the first time that ice resurfacing vehicles were to blame for  illnesses. In 2011, a number of New Hampshire hockey players at an indoor hockey rink were showing signs of acute respiratory symptoms. These included cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain and tightness – all symptoms that are consistent with exposure to nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2). Of the 43 people exposed, 31 had symptoms consistent with NO2 exposure.

Balcony Issues: Common Structural Failures

[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 11, 2015 1:30:30 PM / by Greg Hoyt, PE

As I noted in my last blog post, and as recent news stories reveal, wood rotting and structural failures of balconies and decks can have costly consequences. The structural design and construction of decks and balconies, including their guardrails (or handrails) are critical for the safe performance of these structures and to avoid structural failure.  

Signs of common balcony and deck structural failures

Of course, if you have questions concerning the structural integrity of your balcony and deck, it’s best to call a structural engineer to inspect the property and provide a professional opinion. In Boston, property owners are required to have certain facades inspected and certified within every five years. While this is not required for all properties, it is a good idea to schedule an inspection for your property’s balconies and/or decks within this time frame.

Balcony Issues: Structural Performance

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 26, 2015 2:00:00 PM / by Greg Hoyt, PE

Common Balcony Issues: Water Intrusion Due to Construction Defects

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 22, 2015 2:17:38 PM / by Adrienne K. Paskind, AIA

There is no shortage of news stories about balcony failures. From the recent collapse in Berkeley, California to The New York Times report on construction defects following a Brooklyn housing boom, balcony and deck construction defects and the possible devastating consequences and law suits make for attention grabbing headlines - and should be of concern to any home or building owner.