Construction

D.C. Construction Workers Win $1.75 Million in Settlement Over Job Misclassification

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Washington, D.C. – In a significant legal resolution, several construction companies in Washington, D.C. have agreed to a settlement of $1.75 million after a lawsuit accused them of misclassifying employees as independent contractors. The case underscores a persistent issue in the construction industry concerning workers’ rights and employment status. The lawsuit, initiated by local authorities, claimed that the misclassification deprived workers of rightful wages and benefits such as health insurance, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation. These practices are not just detrimental to the workers but also unfairly advantage businesses by allowing them to evade payroll … Read more

Settlement Reached in Hurricane Sally Barge Damage Lawsuit Between U.S. Justice Department and Skanska Construction

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Pensacola, Fla. — Two barges which broke loose during the sonic assault of Hurricane Sally in 2020, causing extensive damages, became the subject of a federal lawsuit that concluded recently with a quiet settlement. The legal action, initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice against the Skanska construction company, was resolved following fruitful mediation last month, culminating in the dismissal of the case by U.S. Magistrate Judge Hope Thai Cannon. The Department of Justice initially sought $1.43 million in damages from Skanska for the alleged negligence incurred during the hurricane’s onslaught. The barges, integral to … Read more

$68.5 Million Awarded in Philadelphia Construction Death Lawsuit, Highlighting Critical Worker Safety Failures

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Philadelphia, PA – A Philadelphia court awarded $68.5 million in damages Wednesday to the family of a construction worker who died in 2021 after a fall from an unsafe balcony at a luxury dwelling development. The jury found OCF Construction LLC, the project’s general contractor, liable for the worker’s death due to negligence and safety violations. The incident, which took the life of 38-year-old Siarhei Marhunou and left his widow Hanna and their young son grappling with the loss, occurred at a construction site in the Fitler Square neighborhood. The site at 2330 Sansom St. … Read more

$68.5 Million Awarded in Tragic Philadelphia Construction Site Fall, Jury Points to Safety Failures

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Philadelphia, PA — A Philadelphia jury recently ruled in favor of awarding $68.5 million to the family of Siarhei Marhunou, a construction worker who tragically died after falling from a balcony at a Center City development site managed by OCF Realty. Marhunou’s fatal accident occurred in December 2021, and the lawsuit was filed by his estate in May 2022. Marhunou, a 38-year-old recent immigrant from Belarus, was working on the balcony installation of siding on a five-unit townhouse development located at 2330 Sansom Street when the incident took place. During his employment, Marhunou fell nearly … Read more