Why Every Construction Firm Should Have a Lawyer on Standby

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As the owner of a construction firm, you obviously have a lot on your plate on any given day. You might not spend a ton of time thinking about legal matters, but it's important that at least some effort is put into making sure your contracts are legally sound and that your company is protected for the future no matter what happens. These are some of the reasons why it's a good idea for every construction firm to have a lawyer on retainer. A good construction lawyer can help you and your firm with a wide variety of different issues or concerns. Here are just some of the things a good construction attorney can do for you.

Make Sure Any Contract You Write Up or Sign Is Fair to All Sides

Construction work often involves making a bid for a project and then signing a contract agreeing to certain terms about the build. It also often involves the construction company writing up contracts for its subcontractors, setting out the rules for working on the site, and outlining what is expected when the work is complete.

Even if you have some previous experience in this area, it might be a good idea to have a lawyer around to look over every contract. This will cover you and make sure that you have legal recourse if someone else doesn't hold up their end of the bargain. Your lawyer can also make sure that the terms you set in your own contracts are fair and will stand up to scrutiny in court if it should come to that.

Workplace Injury Can Happen Despite Your Best Efforts

An employee can get injured in just about any workplace, but a construction site obviously has some additional hazards that can make the risk of an injury occurring more likely. It's a good idea to have a lawyer around who knows the ins and outs of your company, just in case that dreaded day with a workplace injury arrives. Your lawyer can protect your company's interests or help you handle things like workers' compensation claims. In the event you are sued, your lawyer can step up and help you figure out the best path forward, including helping you negotiate a settlement if that's in your best interest.

Don't Forget the Government

When you agree to build something for someone, it's not just the client you need to keep happy. There are also likely going to be government inspectors or other officials who might be interested to know what's going on. Your lawyer can make sure you stay on the right side of all local zoning or building laws and regulations.


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