Construction and Environmental Litigation

Turner Padget is actively engaged in all aspects of construction and environmental litigation, including individual lawsuits as well as complex, multi-party cases, class actions, mass torts, and multi-district litigation proceedings.  Following are some examples of the types of cases in which the Construction and Environmental Group has significant experience.

• Class actions and individual products liability lawsuits representing manufacturers of building materials. Class actions and individual lawsuits representing manufacturers of chemicals and chemical products on claims concerning environmental contamination and toxic exposures
• EIFS litigation
• Mold litigation
• Insurance and coverage claims and bad faith actions concerning construction and environmental lawsuits and liabilities
• Preparation of  construction contracts and supply agreements
• Professional malpractice actions and construction defect litigation involving claims against construction contractors, architects, engineers, and other construction professionals.
• Counseling of clients on avoidance  of construction and environmental claims and liabilities 
• Counseling of clients in real estate and other commercial transactions on due diligence and avoidance of environmental liabilities
• Representation of owners, architects, contractors and other professionals in  construction contract disputes
• Payment/performance bonds
• Bid protests
• Mechanics Liens

We have represented  manufacturers, corporate officers, contractors, owners, developers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, bonding companies, construction management companies, suppliers, insurers and other parties.

Some specific examples of our cases include:

• Lead counsel for manufacturers of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (“EIFS”) in nationwide and statewide class actions, as well as individual lawsuits alleging claims for products liability and related construction defects  
• Representation of the owner of a large apartment construction project in South Carolina relating to delays and extras
• Representation of a subcontractor in a claim against the State for delays and extras
• Statewide representation of a manufacturer of respiratory equipment in mass tort "silica" exposure litigation 
• Statewide representation of a manufacturer of industrial pumps in asbestos personal injury cases
• Representation of insurance companies in lawsuits concerning coverage disputes related to damages caused by construction defects and environmental contamination
• Representation of a general contractor in a lawsuit by a subcontractor alleging liability for breach of contract and tort for damages alleged to have been caused by exposure to toxic chemicals on the construction site
• Representation of an industrial coatings manufacturer and a pigment manufacturer in benzene exposure cases  Representation of a manufacturer of asbestos-containing building products in products liability cases alleging property damage
• Representation of the president of a specialty chemical company in class action litigation alleging liability for property damage and personal injury due to chemical contamination of the environment
• Counseling with a forestry products company concerning potential environmental liabilities and defective product liabilities in connection with a prospective purchase of another company
• Representation of contractors and subcontractors in construction defect cases.

Attorneys

Shareholders
Steven W. Ouzts, Construction and Environmental Litigation Practice Leader, Columbia
J. Kenneth Carter, Columbia
David S. Cobb, Charleston
John E. Cuttino, Columbia
Eric K. Englebardt, Greenville
Arthur E. Justice, Florence

William E. Lawson, Myrtle Beach
Jeffrey L. Payne, Florence

Jimmy C. Powell, Jr., Myrtle Beach

Jonathan G. Roquemore, Columbia
W. Duvall Spruill, Columbia

M. Scott Taylor, Florence
D. Andrew Williams, Columbia

Associates

Julian K. Allen, Charleston
D. Michael Freeman, Myrtle Beach

Christopher H. Pearce, Myrtle Beach

G. Troy Thames, Charleston