Construction Claims May Come From A Variety of Sources

Most construction claims arise out of the contractual relationship between the parties.  Some arise out of claims of negligence.  There are other situations where a contractor may be held liable for damages that stem from nothing more than having engaged in certain activities.  Such claims are based upon the idea that “strict liability” applies to “ultra-hazardous activities.”  In both situations, i.e. claims based upon negligence and claims based upon strict liability, the first party performs an act or omission that results in damage to the life or property of the second party.  With a negligence claim, in order to be held liable, the first party must owe the second party a duty that is breached by the first party’s act or omission.  For example, if a contractor is working on scaffolding above a sidewalk, the contractor must use reasonable care to make sure that nothing falls on the people below and, in that situation, the contractor would only be held liable if something fell due to the failure to exercise reasonable care and not solely because something fell.  With a strict liability claim, however, all that is required is for the contractor to be held liable is for the contractor to be engaged in the activity that caused the harm.