Construction contracts are landing in court more often — and at higher dollar figures — than ever before, as runaway costs and pressure to build faster have led to a spike in disputes. The average value of construction disputes in North American courts was $42.8M at the end of 2022, up from $30.1M the prior […]
Insights
History and Evolution of the Professional Standard of Care
Design professionals know they have a duty to perform their services in accordance with the prevailing standard of care. While we always stress the importance of adhering to the standard of care, what’s the origin? Other than a desire to avoid paying expensive lawyer’s fees to defend themselves in a lawsuit, why do design professionals […]
Montana Youth Climate Activists Get Historic Win in State Case
A state judge ruled Monday that Montana’s oil and gas policies are infringing on young people’s constitutional rights to a safe environment, handing a big win to youth climate plaintiffs that will likely reverberate across the legal landscape. An adjustment to the Montana Energy Policy Act (MEPA)—which limits environmental factors that must be considered for […]
Nationwide to Take Actions to Limit Risk in Personal, Commercial Portfolios
Add Nationwide to a growing list of insurers making changes to deal with losses in some areas of the country. In a June 12 “business actions update” Nationwide announced moves “to mitigate risk and manage the personal and commercial lines portfolios in the current environment.” (Click Here to Read More…)
Titanic Sub Victims’ Families Could Still Sue Despite Liability Waivers
Liability waivers signed by Titanic Sub Victims lost at sea during a dive to the Titanic wreck may not shield the vessel’s owner from potential lawsuits by the victims’ families, legal experts said. The Titan submersible vanished on Sunday roughly two hours into its dive and was found in pieces on the ocean floor after […]
ChatGPT Poised to Expose Corporate Secrets, Cyber Firm Warns
Companies using generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT could be putting confidential customer information and trade secrets at risk, according to a report from Team8, an Israel-based venture firm. The widespread adoption of new AI chatbots and writing tools could leave companies vulnerable to data leaks and lawsuits, said the report, which was provided to […]
Chubb’s Greenberg expects continued Insurance rate increases
The current insurance pricing environment will likely continue as insurers contend with rising loss costs due to inflation, higher court awards and climate-driven claims, Chubb Ltd. Chairman and CEO Evan Greenberg said Tuesday. While inflation may slow for some property exposures, casualty rates will need to continue rising as litigation increases, he said during his […]
M&A Valuations in 2023: Nuances Prevail in Very Interesting Times
With the financial world absorbing the twin pressures of rising interest rates and large-scale bank failures, over 200 AE industry executives and investors gathered in Miami for this year’s Southeast M&A, Strategy, and Innovation Symposium to hear how the machinations of the wider world are affecting valuations in deals across the industry. With deal pricing […]
New UBC water treatment zaps ‘forever chemicals’ for good
Engineers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new water treatment that removes “forever chemicals” from drinking water safely, efficiently – and for good. “Think Brita filter, but a thousand times better,” says UBC chemical and biological engineering professor Dr. Madjid Mohseni, who developed the technology. Forever chemicals, formally known as PFAS (per-and […]
Ohio Train Derailment Illuminates Waste Disposal Predicament
When word surfaced that soils and liquids laced with chemicals from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment were being sent to southeastern Michigan for storage, local residents and politicians were livid. “People were seeing pictures of what happened in Ohio – the smoke plumes, wildlife dying,” said Jordyn Sellek, director of a local government coalition. […]