handles all aspects of mechanic’s liens throughout the State of Minnesota and elsewhere. Mechanic’s liens in Minnesota can be technically demanding, require proper documentation, precise timing, careful attention to detail, and depending on the project or property, can be complex. provides advice and assistance, including drafting and serving the appropriate notices, filing and serving the appropriate lien documents, as well…
Anytime a large storm hits, you hear about the hail damage. But how much does that damage cost Americans each year? The Insurance Information Institute states that 2017 saw 6,045 major hail storms, which caused about $1.8 billion in crop and property damage. When combined with wind damage, that figure rises to well over $2 billion. Where does hail hit…
An insurance policy is a contract that is binding and enforceable on both the policyholder and the insurance company. Within the policy, both parties have certain obligation and duties. The “duty to cooperate” is one of the most important policyholder duties. From a practical viewpoint, the duty to cooperate requires the policyholder to allow an insurance company to investigate the…
SJJ attorney Chris Drake recently received a great decision from the Colorado Federal Court in connection with an insurance bad faith claim where the insurance company was trying to move the case from State to Federal court. The case was originally filed in state court and later removed by the insurance carrier to federal court. Following the removal, Chris amended…
In 2017, the Minnesota legislature made several changes to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act, Minn. Stat. 515B (“MCIOA”), the law governing most homeowner associations in Minnesota. One of these changes requires that associations adopt and distribute a formal Preventative Maintenance Plan (“PMP”) by January 1, 2019. For more information on the specifics of these Plans, see our previous post…
would like to welcome Chris Drake to the firm. Chris is an experienced litigator with years of experience in construction, insurance, and community association law. Chris has won several significant cases representing both individuals and business owners in construction and insurance disputes. His experience and leadership are sure to be a great asset to the firm and its clients. Welcome…
is proud to announce that today it opened a second office location in Colorado. SJJ has served Colorado clients from its Minnesota location for the past few years, but will now have an office just a few minutes north of Denver. We will continue to serve our Colorado clients in our primary practice areas of insurance law, construction law, and…
No one can predict when you will experience damage to your property from a fire, flood or other unexpected event. When it is time to make a claim to your insurance company for damage to your property, your insurer will almost certainly request a personal property inventory that will include a description of the property, its age and the cost…
Property insurance is something that anyone owning property should have. Insurable property includes your home, vehicle, and personal possessions that you own. Property insurance is intended to compensate you for the loss of your property in event of an accidental and unintended event to help you put your life back together. Typical losses are related to natural disasters, fires and…
SJJ attorney Tim Johnson recently won a huge case at the Iowa Supreme Court in Walnut Creek v. Depositors that will allow policyholders to have their disputed insurance claims resolved outside of court through the quicker and less expensive insurance appraisal process. The Walnut Creek case started as a disputed insurance claim. The insurance company claimed that hail had not damaged the…
