The current edition of The Dispute Resolver addresses a recent Illinois appellate court decision in which a general contractor was entitled to a defense as an “additional insured” under a subcontractor’s commercial general liability insurance policy. There are a variety of insurance coverage issues which arise out of multi-party construction projects; this case emphasizes the importance of reviewing construction contracts for indemnity, insurance and other risk allocation provisions, as well as the importance of reviewing any insurance policies which could be applicable to claims stemming from a construction project. In addition, this edition of The Dispute Resolver provides updates in construction law, including recent case law in Massachusetts finding a general contractor’s material breach of a subcontract constituted an unfair and/or deceptive act under state consumer protection laws. The most recent edition of The Dispute Resolver can be found at the following link: The Dispute Resolver, March 2012.
Attorney Anthony Osborn is a member of the Publications Subcommittee for Division I of the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry. Division I focuses on dispute avoidance and resolution, including mediation, arbitration and trials. As a member of Division I’s Publications Subcommittee, Anthony works in conjunction with other construction law attorneys to generate, edit and publish Division I’s newsletter, The Dispute Resolver. Members of the Construction Forum represent all facets of the construction industry, including but not limited to owners, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers, construction managers, insurers and sureties. The Construction Forum’s mission is to serve the construction industry through education and leadership. The Goosmann Law Firm, located in Sioux City, Iowa, has attorneys licensed in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and California.