Waiver of Written Change Orders and Unjust Enrichment

Construction worker pouring concrete

Tennessee Court of Appeals Finds in Favor of Subcontractor in Claim Against Owner The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently affirmed a trial court’s decision in favor of a subcontractor where the general contractor went under and the subcontractor asserted a lien claim and a claim for unjust enrichment against the owner. The owner argued that the subcontractor did not comply … Read More

THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’ – CONTINGENT PAYMENT AND LIENS IN TENNESSEE

Come senators, congressmen please heed the call Don’t stand in the doorway don’t block up the hall For he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled There’s a battle outside and it is ragin’. It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls For the times they are a-changin’. -Bob Dylan- A battle is raging in Tennessee as Senator … Read More

FREE TRAINING AT SAFETYFEST TN 2019

Want to learn more about safety?  Attend SafetyFest Tennessee 2019 a free health and safety training held April 29 – May 3, 2019 in Oak Ridge and Knoxville, Tennessee.  SafetyFest is a combined effort of federal, state, and local agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations to promote safety and health at work, home, and in the community.  The primary goal of SafetyFest is … Read More

Construction Defects and the Importance of Preserving the “Scene”

In construction defect claims, failure to preserve the “scene” can be fatal to either a valid claim or a strong defense.  Indeed, when a defect or failure is discovered, it is important to do two things, as soon as possible: (1) secure the “scene” and related items and documents; and (2) notify any individuals or entities that may be involved … Read More

Getting Paid on Tennessee Public Projects: the “Little Miller Act”

Like many states, Tennessee law requires that a contractor performing work on a state or local project having a contract price of $100,000 or more to post a bond to secure the contractor’s payment for all the labor and materials used by the contractor, or any immediate or remote subcontractor under the contractor. T.C.A. §12-4-201. The purpose of the bond … Read More

“Pay that man his money,” or don’t. Contingent Payment in Tennessee for Subcontractors

The payment term is the most important provision of any subcontract.  Subcontractors are not typically advanced money at the start of their work, requiring them to front the cost of construction based on the contractor’s contractual obligation to pay.  But, a subcontractor must insure the contractor’s payment obligation is not illusory.  Pay-if-paid and pay-when-paid provisions are frequently misunderstood. A pay-if-paid … Read More

Tennessee Court of Appeals: Specific mention of “fees” required to enforce attorney’s fee provision

It has long been understood in Tennessee that in order to recover attorney’s fees in an action for breach of contract that the contract to be enforced must specifically provide for the recovery of motorcycle accident attorney’s fees in the event of an action to enforce the contract (absent some applicable statute providing for attorney’s fees in certain instances). However, … Read More

Workers Compensation and Construction Sites

Workers’ Compensation and Construction Sites: Bureau intends to conduct field inspections of construction sites Contractors, subcontractors and providers of “construction services” in Tennessee face heightened scrutiny for compliance with Tennessee’s workers’ compensation laws, and potential penalties for failure to maintain adequate proof of workers’ compensation insurance at job sites. Under new legislation passed by the Tennessee legislature in the 2017 … Read More

New Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

Attention!: Contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, material suppliers, owners, anyone with employees. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services released a revised version of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification on 17 July 2017. Employers may continue to use the old version of Form I-9 until tomorrow. However, starting on Monday, 18 September 2017, all employers must use the new version … Read More