Ultimately, a construction lawyer can represent home owners, developers, and contractors whenever there is a dispute on a project. A construction lawyer can draw up and review legal documentation, represent their client in a legal dispute, and much more.
What a construction lawyer does for you depends on the specific needs of your case. So one of the first things you and your lawyer can do is sit down together and discuss the likely needs of your case.
Typical Tasks Construction Lawyers Perform
While each client’s needs and situations are unique, construction attorneys often do the following:
- Mediate disputes
- Deal with legal paperwork
- Represent you in court
- Review injury claims
- Respond to inquiries
These tasks are explained in greater detail below. First, however, it is important to keep in mind that this is a general overview and that you can speak to a construction law firm directly to find out how they would handle your specific needs.
Mediate Disagreements
Mediating disputes is a core service performed by construction lawyers. If there is ever a disagreement between you and another party, your construction attorney is your first line of defense. While they can represent you in court, if necessary, they can work hard through mediation to avoid a costly, time-consuming trial by:
- Reviewing and investigating the nature of the complaint
- Meeting with the other party
- Negotiating with the other party for a satisfactory outcome
- Drawing up the agreement or any other paperwork necessary to close out the case
Often, the other party does not want to go to court any more than you do, and they or their representative will be agreeable to mediation or pretrial negotiation. Let your lawyer represent you at these meetings to ensure that the dispute is handled fairly and that you are not taken advantage of. They can let you know how the case is going and seek your approval before making a decision or an offer.
Deal with Legal Paperwork
In addition to mediating disputes, your construction lawyer can assist you with all kinds of construction-related documents, including:
- Building permits
- Contracts with suppliers, manufacturers, employees, and so on
- Inspection reports
- Relevant laws
- Complaints from other parties
Your lawyer can review any documents before you sign them, negotiate for better terms on a contract, and more.
Represent You in Court
There are some cases that even a lawyer cannot resolve out of court. If the plaintiff is very determined to take their case to trial, your attorney can make sure that your rights are protected. They can:
- Participate in jury selection
- Collect evidence
- Submit all necessary paperwork to both the court and the plaintiff
- Present arguments before a judge and jury
- Question witnesses on the stand
- Prepare witnesses to testify and respond to potentially hostile questions from the plaintiff’s team
Review Injury Claims
Construction sites can be dangerous places. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, construction workers sustained nonfatal injuries at a rate of 174.1 per 1,000 workers in 2020.
When a construction worker reports an injury and files a claim for compensation, it is important to:
- Evaluate the claim’s authenticity
- Make sure the claimant followed the appropriate procedure when asking for compensation.
- Calculate an appropriate amount to pay those claimants with a legal right to compensation
Respond to Inquiries
For people dealing with a construction project, your lawyer would always be there to
- Respond to your calls, texts, and emails promptly
- Take the time to provide helpful answers to all of your questions about construction law
- Explain how the law could potentially affect your current and future building projects
If you are ever in doubt about any legal matter, it can help you to know that you have a lawyer on-call who will understand the situation and be able to explain what it means for you. Being able to ask legal questions can also save you from making poor decisions that would lead to trouble in the future.
To consult with an experienced construction law lawyer today, call 855-780-9986
How Much Do Construction Attorneys Charge?
Each law firm has its own system of payment that varies depending on:
- The difficulty of the task they are being asked to handle
- Whether you are hiring them on a short-term or long-term basis
- Personal preference
One of the first things a construction lawyer can do for you is explain their law firm’s payment structure. This way, you know what to expect and how to choose a construction law attorney. Then, once you come to an agreement, they can draw up a contract that will solidify your new relationship.
Contact Our Law Firm Today to Learn More About What a Construction Lawyer Does
Bogin, Munns & Munns wants to represent you throughout your construction dispute. A member of our legal team will tell you what a construction lawyer can do for you. The sooner you call our office, the sooner we can figure out what you need and how we can provide it to you.
Call or text 855-780-9986 or submit our Consultation Request form today
