Construction Law in Irvine

Say you’re a business owner and you’ve just hired an architect and a general contractor to begin building your new business. While this is undoubtedly an exciting time, the complex nature of this project leaves room for numerous issues to come into play. Your contractor might realize he underbid on the costs of the project. Or, the architect might realize that he made a mistake in the drafted plans after the construction had already begun. Even worse, an accident, injury, or wrongful death might occur on the construction site, and there’s always a possibility that someone might quit in the middle of the construction project. Or, a party involved might change his or her mind on the plan in action. As a result, arguments arise.
Here at Crafts Law Firm, we are skilled and knowledgeable in the complex nature of California’s construction law. Construction law is a branch of law that deals with issues in construction, building, engineering, and other related fields. It mainly involves contract law and covers all aspects of the legal process. This includes everything from the initial bidding, to negotiations and formations of agreements and contracts.

The same types of issues commonly found in commercial construction can also come into play in residential construction. Disputes may arise between homeowners and builders, as well as between the architects and general contractors involved in the project. As a rule, contractors must warn homeowners if the design or construction of the home may have damaging results, and homeowners have an obligation to cooperate with contractors and not interfere or delay the contractor’s performance without good reason. Again, the complex nature of this type of construction leaves room for problems. If an issue does arise, construction law comes into play.

Whether commercial or residential, construction law assures that you are not held accountable for any issues that arise during the construction project. Ideally, a construction dispute will be handled through negotiation or mediation. If the issue cannot be resolved in this way, it will head to court.

Here at Crafts Law Firm, we are experienced in litigation involving:

Construction defects and product defects litigation
Construction site accidents – serious injury and wrongful death
Construction contracts and mechanics liens/payment issues
Our attorneys have represented a variety of clients in the cases of construction law, including general contractors, subcontractors, material men, tradesmen and others in both residential and commercial construction lawsuits.

If you find yourself in need of assistance in the case of construction law in Irvine, call Crafts Law Firm at (940) 484-7400 or visit http://www.craftlawfirm.com.

What You Should Do When Your Business is Sued

As a business owner, one of your worst nightmares is being sued. Not only have you failed to meet your customer or supplier’s expectations as a goods or service provider, you’re also in hot water on a much larger scale. The success of the company you’ve built from the ground up is at the mercy of the law. Unfortunately, all businesses are at risk for being sued for a variety of different reasons, and it can happen at any time. However, if you know what to expect and what you should do when your business is sued, the experience will be slightly less turbulent.

Oftentimes, when someone takes steps towards filing a lawsuit against your business, you’ll first receive a demand letter. This document is not a lawsuit, but it will share an individual’s discontent with your business practices and it will request that you take action to resolve the issue at hand. In an ideal situation, you, along with your lawyer, will be able to make your case and show the individual that you weren’t in the wrong. At the very least you’ll be able to reach a settlement and possibly avoid being sued.

Unfortunately, not all issues can be resolved outside the courtroom. If you and the individual are unable to reach an agreement through a settlement, your business will be served with a lawsuit. This is known as service of process, and many business owners try to avoid it. However, this is usually not effective. The best course of action is to allow yourself to receive the formal complaint and work with your lawyer to defend the claim.

Once you receive the documents, the first thing you should do is contact your lawyer. Your attorney, such as the professionals at Crafts Law Firm, should have extensive experience in business litigation. In particular, your lawyer should have a history of defending corporate entities, individual officers, partners, employees, and third parties to be able to provide you with the best possible representation in your trial. Regardless of how ludicrous the claims may be, it’s imperative to respond immediately. Your hearing may be set in as little as three days after you’re served, and you’ll want to give your lawyer enough time to prepare and to provide you with the best defense.

After you’ve notified your lawyer that your business has been served and have given him or her all of the names, phone numbers and details of everyone involved, it’s time to call your insurance agent. Legal fees can be costly, and depending on the types of claims made against your business, you may be entitled to some help paying for your defense. When it comes to notifying your insurance company, it’s important to take action quickly. If you sit on the lawsuit and wait until the trial is underway, your insurance company isn’t under any obligation to help you with the associated costs.

There’s no doubt that getting served with a lawsuit is a stressful experience. And with tensions running high, it’s easy to forget what you should do when your business is sued. The most important thing to remember is to keep your cool, remain in close contact with your lawyer, and handle the situation as professionally as possible. After all, your business’ reputation and future success depends on it. If your company has been sued and you’re in search of a law firm with extensive experience in business litigation, call Crafts Law Firm at (949) 484-7400 or visit http://www.craftslawfirm.com.