Conference to Look at Foundation for Concrete Defect Claims

Hundreds of residential construction defect lawsuits are filed every year in California and across the western United States and most of the suits include allegations of deficiencies in the concrete used in the construction of the home. Is there merit to these claims of concrete defects, or are they exaggerated and based on questionable science?

A half-day conference, sponsored by LexisNexis Mealey’s Conference & Publications Group at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point next Wednesday, features leading legal, scientific and insurance experts discussing aspects of this controversial and growing area of litigation and its impact on new-home construction.

John O’Hara, litigation partner in Newport Beach-based Newmeyer & Dillion LLP, is chairman of the conference, which begins at 12:30 p.m. Joining O’Hara from the firm is partner Joseph Ferrentino, who will offer an overview of current concrete defect litigation and related issues beginning at 1:30 p.m.

“Concrete defect claims continue to be pursued by plaintiffs in most construction defect cases,” said O’Hara, who represents a number of large homebuilders. “These types of claims are expensive to bring and defend against, they can create large exposures for various parties and they are often based on shaky scientific ground. At the conference we plan to provide an overview of the types of concrete claims being asserted, a vigorous expert debate on the science behind the claims, an analysis of the damages and repairs normally involved and a survey of the significant verdicts, settlements and evidentiary rulings in this area.”

For more information on the upcoming program, contact Mealey’s at www.mealeys.com.