Anaheim California Expert Witness Engineer Directory

Promptly Notifying Your Insurer of a Claim Matters

December 30, 2025 — David Adelstein - Florida Construction Legal Updates
Does promptly notifying your insurer of a claim matter? A recent case out of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals answers this question in the affirmative. MAKE SURE TO PROMPTLY NOTIFY YOUR INSURER OF A POTENTIAL CLAIM. In L. Squared Industries, Inc. v. Nautilus Ins. Co., 31 Fla.L.Weekly C529a (11th Cir. 2025), an insured owned gas stations and had a claims-made storage tank liability insurance policy. The policy provided: “You must see to it that we are notified as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event, not more than seven (7) days after the insured first became aware of, or should have become aware of a pollution condition which may result in a claim or any action or proceeding to impose an obligation on the insured for cleanup costs . . . .” Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of David Adelstein, Kirwin Norris
Mr. Adelstein may be contacted at dma@kirwinnorris.com

BWB&O’s LA Team Secures a Defense Victory for General Contractor Client in Riverside Superior Court!

January 13, 2026 — Dolores Montoya - Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP
Congratulations to Woodland Hills Partner Daniel Crespo and Associate Lauren Landau for securing a defense victory on behalf of one of our general contractor clients! The Riverside Superior Court granted summary judgment in favor of our client, finding the plaintiff’s core allegation was flatly contradicted by video evidence. The Court held that surveillance footage conclusively showed the minor did not fall into an “open trench” as alleged, but instead fell after voluntarily jumping over a temporary construction fence stabilizer. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Dolores Montoya, Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara LLP

Newark Team Obtains Appellate Ruling Affirming Summary Judgment for Lawyer and Firm in Professional Negligence Lawsuit

April 14, 2026 — Lewis Brisbois Newsroom
Newark Partner Meredith Kaplan Stoma and Associate Anthony Doss recently secured a decision from the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, affirming summary judgment for their clients, a lawyer and her firm, in a lawsuit alleging professional negligence in connection with the administration of a commercial loan. The circumstances giving rise to the lawsuit date back to September 2020, when the plaintiff was approached by members of a real estate investment company regarding a short-term loan opportunity whereby he would loan the company $200,000. The company provided the plaintiff with a “bridge loan package,” which stated that the requested funds would be held in the escrow account of their counsel and her firm (Lewis Brisbois’ clients), and returned to him with interest within six months once the company was “capitalized” by a senior lender. The company subsequently prepared two notes, each for $100,000, in connection with the agreement. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Lewis Brisbois

Why Hurricane Preparedness Isn’t About the Property

November 21, 2025 — Brad Hill - Construction Executive
Along Florida’s 8,436 miles of shoreline, residents face a persistent threat: hurricanes and the often catastrophic damage these natural weather events inflict. Come late summer and autumn, meteorologist forecasts transition from sun and clear skies to overcast days, high winds and heavy rainfall that signal disaster may be afoot. The state’s construction industry is particularly sensitive to volatile weather patterns, with real estate developments at high risk of destruction if hurricanes cross their path. And with each significant weather event, the losses are substantial. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, there were nearly 100 disaster events in Florida with financial losses exceeding $1 billion each between 1980 and 2024. Reprinted courtesy of Brad Hill, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the full story...

Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Multiple Snell & Wilmer Offices and Attorneys in 2026 Rankings

December 02, 2025 — Snell & Wilmer
PHOENIX - Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Benchmark Litigation, a publication that focuses exclusively on dispute resolution and litigation, has once again recognized multiple Snell & Wilmer offices, as well as eleven of the firm’s attorneys, in its annual U.S. edition rankings issue. Benchmark Litigation is the only publication on the market to focus exclusively on litigation work. Benchmark compiles its results from a culmination of a six-month research period where researchers conduct extensive interviews with litigators and their clients to identify the leading litigators and firms. During these interviews, researchers examine recent casework handled by law firms and ask individual litigators to offer their professional opinions on peers. Firms cannot pay to be recommended for the guide. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Snell & Wilmer

Homeowners Associations Must Prepare for Cold Season Maintenance and Repairs in Western Washington

November 21, 2025 — Andre Egle - VF Law
Washington experiences major winter storms in the Greater Puget Sound area approximately two or three times per winter. While this depends on whether the winter weather pattern is affected by either El Niño or the La Niña Pacific Ocean current, associations must prepare for storm impacts rather than scramble after a storm has hit. La Niña conditions are ongoing and are likely to persist into the winter of 2025-2026, though forecasts indicate it will remain weak. Here are some steps Homeowners Associations (HOA) can take to protect themselves. What Proactive Steps Can a Washington HOA Take to Identify and Minimize Potential Construction or Maintenance Risks Before a Major Storm? Knowing that the chances for heavier-than-usual rains are in the forecast, a local HOA should inspect roofs, gutters, building envelopes, and drainage systems to identify vulnerabilities to water intrusion inside the buildings or ice buildup on the outside. Trees, landscaping features, walkways, and retaining walls need to be checked for dangers like dead limbs, tripping hazards, or any signs of shifting structure. Mechanical and utility systems such as plumbing, HVAC, and exterior lighting must be inspected to ensure they have sufficient insulation, protection, and proper operation. Contractors must ensure that all active construction sites are properly secured. They should also have a plan in place to protect materials from storm damage and address any other hazardous conditions. What Key Questions Should HOA Boards and HOA Property Managers Ask Potential Contractors to Ensure Good Workmanship and Accountability? The following five core questions capture the essentials of a contractor’s quality, reliability, and accountability: (1) Are you licensed, bonded, insured (inquire into the policy types and the applicable limits), and able to provide references for similar HOA projects? (2) Who will manage the project on-site work (request that person’s CV or work history), and how will you communicate work progress, potential issues, and timelines to the HOA? (3) What materials, methods, and quality-control procedures will you use, and how will you protect the property while performing the work, particularly during the rainy and stormy season? (4) Can you provide a detailed, written scope of work and price estimate, and explain, in writing, your company procedures for handling change orders or unexpected conditions? (5) What warranties do you provide for labor and materials that you will be using, and how do you handle a warranty or “punch-list” issues after the job is complete? What are Some Insurance Pitfalls HOAs Often Overlook - and How to Avoid Them? Here are the most common insurance pitfalls that HOAs may overlook, along with proposed solutions for addressing them. Pitfall No.1: Outdated or generic replacement-cost estimates that do not reflect actual construction costs in Washington. Solution: Obtain a professional replacement-cost appraisal every 3–5 years and ensure that the policy includes full replacement cost, not actual cash value. Pitfall No.2: Misunderstanding of the division of responsibility for covered losses between the HOA and individual owners. Solution: Educate the owners that under most an HOA’s contemporary governing documents such as the Declarations Of Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (DCCRs) and the Bylaw, the association’s insurance primarily covers repairs not only to the association’s common areas and limited common areas, but also the repairs of structural and other building elements inside each individual units, and then collects from the unit owner a proportional share of the HOA’s insurance premium. That way, the repairs covered by the HOA’s property insurance are uniform, and the HOA - not the unit owner - will deal with the repair contractor and its insurer if the repairs are subpar. Pitfall No. 3: Gaps in Water Damage Coverage. Property and liability insurance policies often exclude slow leaks, sewer backups, and water intrusion - three types of claims that typically are most expensive for an HOA. Solution: To request that the HOA insurance broker add to the policy coverage of (a) a backup of sewer/drain coverage, (b) wind-driven rain, and (c) water intrusion, and (d) sudden pipe failures. Afterward, the HOA should ensure that owners consistently keep the plumbing in their units in good working order. Pitfall No. 4: Failing to Adjust Coverage After Renovations. Specifically, HOAs frequently forget to update insurance after roof replacements, building upgrades, or additions of new amenities. Solution: Notify the HOA’s insurance broker after any major capital project and update insurable values to reflect the improvements. Pitfall No. 5: Not reviewing vendor insurance requirements because contractors may frequently have inadequate coverage or let policies lapse in the middle of a construction or renovation project. Solution: At the time of contracting for the construction or renovation work at the HOA property, (i) request that contractors provide their current Certificates of Insurance (“COI”), additional insured endorsements, and insurance policies Declaration pages that show the limits or coverage, and (ii) re-verify the same insurance facts before the work begins. What is the Best Practice for Communicating with Residents of a Community Owned by an HOA to Maintain Trust and Transparency During and After a Winter Storm? First, before a storm, send a simple, fact-based, expectation-setting message outlining what the HOA will do (snow removal plans, inspections, vendor readiness) and what residents should be prepared to do. Utilize multiple channels, including email, text alerts, HOA portal, lobby postings, and social media (if applicable). Second, set realistic expectations about response times because trust is built when residents understand what the HOA can and cannot do. Share with residents: (a) snow/ice vendor schedules; (b) priority areas, e.g., roads, walkways, private drives; (c) any delays due to the severity of the weather, and (d) clear expectations meant to reduce the residents’ frustration. Third, provide regular updates, even if the update is “no change.” Residents want visibility and care, not perfection. Report: (i) storm status; (ii) timing of plow/ice treatment timing, (iii) any emerging hazards (e.g., downed branches, icy walkways), and (vi) instructions for safety or temporary restrictions on moving about the community. Fourth, keep a record of and clarify every step taken to address the storm’s impact, since being transparent helps build trust when residents see that the HOA operates in an organized and responsible manner. After each key action, such as plowing, salting, emergency repairs, and the like, share with residents a brief update stating (a) what was done, (b) when it was complete, (c) the name of the vendor that performed the work, and (d) the dangers that are yet to be addressed. Fifth, within 48 to 72 hours after the storm, call a meeting to conduct a post-event summary to discuss what worked well, what challenges the HOA had to deal with, what repairs or follow-up work will happen, and what improvements will be made to meet the next storm with a higher degree of preparedness. Such a meeting would be one of the strongest ways to build long-term trust in the residents of the community owned by the HOA. Andre Egle is an attorney at VF Law. He may be reached at andre.egle@vf-law.com.

EPA Steps Back, Arizona Moves Forward

May 12, 2026 — Patrick J. Paul, John Habib & Sukhmani K. Singh - Snell & Wilmer
In a significant development for Arizona’s business community and environmental policymakers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has paused its planned reclassification of Maricopa County from “Moderate” to “Serious” ozone nonattainment status pursuant to the Clean Air Act’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). This decision marks a shift in federal air policy — one that recognizes the unique challenges faced by regions like metro Phoenix, where environmental conditions beyond local control are often key contributors to air quality readings. The EPA’s move follows a series of meetings between EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Arizona elected officials, and business and civic leaders, including a recent roundtable in Phoenix convened by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. In announcing the pause, Zeldin acknowledged the need for flexibility and fairness in the application of Clean Air Act standards, especially when emissions from other states, nations, and natural events significantly influence local air quality. Reprinted courtesy of Patrick J. Paul, Snell & Wilmer, John Habib, Snell & Wilmer and Sukhmani K. Singh, Snell & Wilmer Mr. Paul may be contacted at ppaul@swlaw.com Mr. Habib may be contacted at jhabib@swlaw.com Ms. Singh may be contacted at ssingh@swlaw.com Read the full story...

High-Rise Design and Construction: Then, Now, and Next

March 16, 2026 — Aarni Heiskanen - AEC Business
The Empire State Building was built in 14 months. Since 2010, the average completion time for a 200-meter-plus building has increased from 4.3 to 5.8 years. Buildings have become more complex, and there's more regulation than in the 1930s. Still, there are ways to make high-rise construction more efficient. An Unlikely Benchmark From 1930 When construction began on the Empire State Building on March 17, 1930, the world was in the midst of the Great Depression. That turned out to be an advantage. Contractors Starrett Brothers & Eken had access to a vast, motivated workforce, peaking at 3,439 workers on a single day in August 1930. Read the full story...
Reprinted courtesy of Aarni Heiskanen, AEC Business
Mr. Heiskanen may be contacted at aec-business@aepartners.fi

ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTION EXPERT WITNESS DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES