Dallas Austin

The new year is a time to reflect on the year that was and look to what is ahead. What did we do well? What are some areas for improvement? Part of this reflection should include assessing your company’s risk management approach. As part of this risk management assessment, it is a great opportunity to specifically review your legal claim processes and whether there is room for improvement. When you have an impending legal claim, having those processes and procedures in place can increase efficient processing of that claim, reduce stress to you so you can focus on your business, and reduce le

It has taken Congress and the President a while, but on December 27, 2020, the new, $900 billion COVID stimulus bill was signed into law.  The law extends some of the protections that have been in place during 2020 and adds others, including: Direct stimulus payments; Renewal of unemployment benefits; Renewal of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”); Funds to equip schools with protection equipment; Extension of tax deferred payments; Extension of eviction ban and rental assistance; Nutrition assistance including assistance to food banks; and Funds for vaccine development and distrib

The first trucks carrying a vaccine to COVID-19 left Pfizer in mid-December 2020. As the government calls it, “Operation Warp Speed” has begun. A vaccination for COVID-19 is being distributing all over the country and in the coming weeks will be available for use by the average American worker. Given the significant impact that COVID-19 has had on workplaces, employers may consider imposing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination programs depending on their respective industries, work environments, and cultures. If the employer does not impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of its employees, then i

Though it is sometimes hard to imagine as we suffer through the worst of COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 will likely usher in the full reopening of more businesses and office spaces. Coinciding with this milestone event, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will soon be increasing workplace inspections and carrying out in-person enforcement of coronavirus-related guidance The Congressional 2021 budget suggests that an additional $12.7 million in funding will go toward hiring more OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers to facilitate the increase in inspections. Based on OSHA’s

As of December 15, 2020, legislators have introduced 1045 bills and resolutions into the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature. Many of the bills are what one might typically expect considering the Spring filing deadline. However, there are a considerable number that are… a little different. Some of the bills, like HB745 and HB675, make accommodations for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and may seem strange only to people born after the pandemic subsides.  Other bills already meet that threshold.  For instance, HB580 seems worthy of the Zoom-life we have lived in 2020, which has allowed us t

During the recession of 2008-2009, contractors learned important lessons about the issue of unpredictability in the economy. There were problems with labor, supply, and financial unpredictability, which impacted contractors’ ability to timely complete projects and stay within anticipated budgets. Many times, contractors accepted projects just to keep its labor pool employed and engaged and to ensure that it could continue in operation once the economy rebounded. Predicting market conditions 6 to 8 months in the future can seem like an impossible task when changes in the economy cannot be pre

An old joke in Texas is that the drafters of the Texas Constitution made a grave error, mistakenly requiring the Texas Legislature convene for 140 days every 2 years instead of 2 days every 140 years.  As the Texas Legislature stands on the precipice of convening its 87th Session on January 12, 2021, we will begin a series of articles about bills being introduced into the Texas House or Senate that may impact the construction industry. We start our series with a look back at one of the more consequential bills, at least at it pertains to the construction industry and potential future Legislat