Minnesota General Contractors: Legislative Changes for 2024
The 2024 legislative session included many changes that will impact residential contractors. Worker Classification Beginning on July 1, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Labor may issue stop work orders and ...
RECENT ARTICLES
Minnesota Appraisals
Smith Jadin Johnson, PLLC recently won a decision in the Federal District of Minnesota compelling a reluctant insurer to participate in an appraisal of a disputed insurance claim. After the insured demanded an appraisal, the insurer commenced litigation seeking to avoid coverage for the claimed loss and refused to participate in appraisal.
Colorado House Bill 1290: Eroding the Failure to Cooperate Defense
2020 has been a bit of a roller coaster, to say the least. Governor Polis and the Colorado legislature have certainly had their hands full dealing with the pandemic, but nonetheless, they found time to protect policyholders in Colorado by preventing Insurance Carriers from engaging in revisionist history and asserting the failure to cooperate provision as a basis to avoid paying benefits owed under an insurance policy.
Minnesota: HOA Signage Rules During Election Season
As election day rapidly approaches, it is important for homeowner and community associations (HOAs) throughout Minnesota to fully understand their rights and obligations relating to campaigning and campaign materials. While limitations on exterior signs, flags, and other decoration is extremely common at homeowners associations generally, there are laws relating to campaign season that Boards and property managers should be aware…
Colorado Senate Bill 211 Signed into Effect
On June 29, 2020, Governor Polis signed Senate Bill 20-211 into effect. Considering the devastation of COVID-19, Senate Bill 20-211 places a temporary prohibition on extraordinary collectionsactions. This includes “an action in the nature of an attachment, garnishment, levy, or execution to collect or enforce a judgment or debt.” SB 20-211 outlines requirements that a creditor must follow if it…
Tips for Property Owners Beginning Large Construction Projects
When entering into a construction contract it is important that a property owner take measures to protect themselves from possible issues that may arise. The most common disputes between property owners and contractors stem from miscommunication. It may have to do with the scope of work performed, the cost of the project, or the amount of time for completion. Below…
Why Business Owners Need Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreements
At Smith Jadin Johnson, we represent a wide variety of businesses. In doing so, our firm often discovers that clients have key employees that are aware of the business’s confidential information and yet no protections are in place for preserving that information. This creates the risk that a key employee may leave the business and take the business’s confidential information…
RSJ NOTCHES ANOTHER VICTORY FOR MINNESOTA POLICYHOLDERS AT THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT
Attorneys Alex Jadin, Tony Smith, and Tim Johnson won another case before the Minnesota Supreme Court in the matter of Poehler v. Cincinnati Insurance Company. This case involved whether a policyholder could recover interest on an insurance appraisal award when an insurance company undervalues a claim. An insurance appraisal is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism available under most homeowner’s insurance…
MATERIAL MATCHING
The summer of 2017 has been filled with severe weather storms across Minnesota. Thousands of homes have been affected by hail and wind damage. For those with homeowners insurance policies, one of the most common issues is whether the policy provides coverage for “matching” the existing material (like siding, roofing, windows, etc.) when repairing the storm damage. For example, whether…
SJJ SCORES SUPREME COURT VICTORY FOR INSURANCE POLICYHOLDERS
SJJ notched a victory at the Minnesota Supreme Court in Cedar Bluff Townhome Condominium Association, Inc. v. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, a landmark insurance coverage case concerning an insurance policyholder’s right to have their property repaired with matching building products. Attorneys Curt Roeder and Anthony T. Smith represented Cedar Bluff Townhome Condominium Association, a 20-building townhome association that made…