Legal Corner
Oregon’s Psilocybin Services Act
By Casey Verville, Cotney Construction Law. Oregon recently became the first state to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin through ballot Measure 109. Psilocybin is a tryptamine hallucinogen identified in over 100 species of mushrooms. Commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” the substance produces sensory alteration and serotonergic activity, which has led ...
Top 8 Business Mistakes Roofing Contractors Make
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Make sure your roofing company is avoiding these costly mistakes. All contractors who own their own roofing companies worry about their business. They’re concerned if they are doing the right things, hiring the right people or simply doing enough to keep their business growing. Cotney Consulting ...
California Adopts New COVID-19 Regulations
By Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law. California business owners need to be aware of new COVID-19 standards that went into effect on Monday, November 30, and will remain in effect for at least 180 days. The board that advises California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) voted on these temporary regulations ...
3 Tips for Documenting Insurance Restoration Jobs to Maximize Claims
By Kathryn Brill. Navigating the claims process can be challenging for insurance restoration contractors. There are often differences between a roofing company’s assessment of the damage and an insurance adjuster’s. The insurance company may call your assessment into question or request further information about the damage. As a result, there can be ...
3 Things to Remember if OHSA Inspectors Arrive at Your Job Site
By Jeremy Power, Cotney Construction Law. Learn what employers should be aware of regarding OHSA obligations in Ontario. Employers have a lot of responsibility when it comes to workplace safety. Paramount among these responsibilities is to take every reasonable precaution for the safety of workers – no easy task at the best ...
Pre-Bid Meetings Explained
By Lauren White, RCS Reporter. Cotney Construction Law answers four questions concerning the logistics of pre-bid meetings. Before a construction project starts, it’s important to have pre-bid meetings. “The purpose of a pre-bid meeting is to clarify any concerns bidders may have with the solicitation documents, scope of work and other ...
Megaprojects are Risky Yet Lucrative
By Lauren White, RCS Reporter. While more and more megaprojects are awarded and being planned, there are multiple drawbacks to these projects. There’s an increase of owners and developers who are choosing to complete a large collection of construction projects instead of focusing on separate projects. These megaprojects take a significant ...
Which Injuries Lead to a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
By Lauren White, RCS Reporter. Understanding the most common on-the-job injuries and which are more likely to end with a workers’ compensation claim. Injuries can happen on the job no matter how safe the construction site is. “Every year there are millions of nonfatal workplace injuries in every type of industry,” ...
Understanding a Construction Contract
By Lauren White, RCS Reporter. Ensure your contracts protect you; don’t overlook these five elements. Construction contracts are crucial for successful projects. It is important for construction lawyers to review these contracts to ensure they are written clearly, are fair to the involved parties, and protect you and your best interests. Construction ...
Avoiding and Limiting E-Verify Liability
By Lauren White, RCS Reporter. Learn more about the ways contractors can prevent unwanted liability. “The E-Verify rule for federal contractors can be a deal breaker for many contractors. The requirements imposed on contractors can expose them to liability with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through its enforcement arm, ...
