Steel Fabricators:

Complaints against steel fabricators can be varied. Mostly these are complaints that can be broken down into two major categories (a) breach of contract and (b) negligence. Breach of contract claims involve the general principles of contract law. Grounding a claim of professional negligence against a steel fabricator may indeed also constitute evidence of breach of contract on the basic grounds that no party contracts to suffer loss or damage as a result of the other party’s negligence.

Either way, professionals who provide steel fabrication services are providing a specialist service in which their skills and expertise is relied upon by their contractors. This reliance means that a significant level of trust is invested into the knowledge and know-how of the steel fabricator, and any defective work or substandard performance may result in serious loss and damage to the individual or business seeking the fabricator’s professional assistance.

Some of the major cases that a steel fabricator lawyer may encounter include the following broad categories of disputes:

• Disputes regarding the terms and provisions of contracts;
• Estimation Issues;
• Complications arising from variations, impact on costs and fees, delays and notice obligations;
• Extensions of time for work to be completed or for necessary variations or matters resulting from unexpected interference with the schedule for the completion of the project;
• Negligent work;
• Defective work;
• Conflicts and disputes involving other, third parties, such as architects and engineers, and the impact of this on scheduling, delays and any resulting cost inflation;
• Disputes concerning drawings (architectural and engineering);
• Quantum of Damage sustained; and
• Calculation of Loss.

Steel fabricators may also be liable to the general public for any loss, damage or injury sustained as a result of poorly engineered steel or manufactured or installed structural components of building work. Such complaints may involve more than one litigant wishing to pursue a claim against the steel fabricator in Court. A claim of professional negligence against a fabricator can lead to a loss of business, irreparable damage to the reputation of the steel fabricator, and even the destruction of the business goodwill. This could be true even if the allegations are flimsy or as yet unproven. Allegations of negligence should therefore always be taken with the highest of seriousness.

If a steel fabricator is being sued or is threatened with legal action for professional negligence, it is important that urgent legal advice from a steel fabrication solicitor is obtained so that the case can be assessed and available defences can be explored. Alternatively, if somebody is contemplating suing a steel fabricator, sufficient time should be invested in researching and preparing the case with the assistance of the steel fabricator lawyer before any claim is lodged with a Court or any complaint made.

For more information, see our “Metal Fabricator” section.

If you need advice concerning a steel fabricators negligence matter you may wish to contact our firm by telephone on (02) 9233 4048 or email us at info@navado.com.au and make an appointment to see one of our solicitors.

This webpage (and any material or wording appearing on this webpage) is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute any Legal Advice. It does not take into account your objectives, your instructions or all of the relevant facts and/or circumstances. Navado accepts no responsibility to any person who relies on the information provided on this website. We further refer you to our Disclaimer.