In Crosby, as the Trustee of Aaron Guidry Trust and Trustee of the Lauren Guidry Trust, Guidry and Guidry v. Crosby Enterprises, LLC, Crosby Dredging, LLC, Tala Air Logistics, LLC, Crosby Holding, LLC, Crosby, Trosclair, and Dufrene, 2023-1338 (La. App. 1 Cir. 8/9/24), 2024 WL 3733158, — So.3d —. a five judge panel of
Construction Law
Louisiana Supreme Court Holds Claims for Indemnity Allowed Prior To Liability Adjudication
The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled today in Daniel Bennett v. Demco Energy Services, et al., 2023-CC-01358 (La. 5/10/24), 2024 WL ***, a claim for defense and indemnity under a Master Services Agreement filed before a judicial finding of liability or loss is not premature. The Court explained “[w]e hold that a claim for indemnity…
Words Matter – Even in Construction: Louisiana Supreme Court Holds Architects and Contract Administrators Have No Duty to Safeguard Injury of a Subcontractor Based Upon Contract Documents
Words are powerful. Being acutely aware of word choice and precise language in contracts is key to a successful agreement. Even in the world of construction, words matter as shown by the recent Louisiana Supreme Court case, Gustavo Bonilla v. Verges Rome Architects—A Professional Architectural Corporation, et al., 2023-0928 (La. 3/22/24), 2024 WL 1229219…
Louisiana 811: A Summary of Louisiana’s Dig Law
We’ve all seen the commercials: “Call before you dig.” But how does calling 811 before you dig help, and what’s required for underground facility owners and contractors performing excavation work? Continue reading for a brief summary of the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law (La. R.S. 40:1749.11, et seq.) (“Dig Law”).
The…
Construction Contractors Beware: Modifications Made to Certain Time Periods Under the Louisiana Public Works Act in the 2022 Legislative Session
The Louisiana Public Works Act (“LPWA”), La. R.S. 38:2241, et seq., protects the rights of contractors and others relating to the construction of public works projects for the state, any of its boards, agencies, and political subdivisions. August 1, 2022 not only marks the beginning of the end of summer 2022, but also the…
Important New U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Holding Prejudice No Longer Required To Show Waiver Of Arbitration Agreements
In the recent unanimous United States Supreme Court opinion, Morgan v. Sundance, Inc., No. 21-328, 2022 WL 1611788 (2022), issued May 23, 2022, the Court abrogated existing case law and held that prejudice is not a condition of finding that a party, by litigating too long, waived its rights to stay litigation or compel…
Liens Filed by Unlicensed Contractors are Invalid
The Louisiana Private Works Act (“LPWA”) [1] provides helpful security to unpaid contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. In particular, it can provide persons that have no contract with the owner a direct claim against the owner for payment and provides both those with and without direct contracts with the owner a privilege or lien on the…
“Good as Gold or Fool’s Gold – What Does It Mean to an Owner for a Contractor to be Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?”
Trippe Hawthorne, a partner, and construction lawyer at Kean Miller, was a featured author for the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), where he wrote on the subject of contractors and what it means to be licensed, insured, and bonded. Many property owners see this nomenclature in marketing and promotional materials for General…
Dear Texas Contractors: We Sure Could Use Your Help, but Remember That We Do Things a Little Different Over Here – Sincerely, Southwest Louisiana
In the aftermath of hurricanes Laura and Delta, Southwest Louisiana is faced with a widespread reconstruction project the size of which it has not seen in quite a while. While never afraid to roll up the sleeves and get to work, this time the demand for contractors exceeds the local supply. Welcoming help from each…
Louisiana Fifth Circuit Disagrees with First Circuit; Holds Construction Anti-Indemnity Act Applicable to Insurance Requirements of Public Contracts
In a recent decision disagreeing with the First Circuit, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit held that (subject to certain exceptions) the Louisiana Construction Anti-Indemnity Act (La. R.S. 9:2780.1) (the “LCAIA”) is applicable to contracts awarded pursuant to the Public Works Act and prohibits a public entity from requiring a contractor to purchase insurance…