Increased monthly assessments or special assessments may also be available to raise the funds necessary to pursue the litigation. Please remember that all attorney fees are negotiable and that all retainer agreements should be in writing. Great care should be taken in drafting workable Case Management Orders. The Los Angeles Daily Journal has cited the Castro office as innovators and developers of effective case management and case management orders. Mediation is a voluntary, non-binding series of meetings where the mediator works with the parties to reach a mutually agreed upon resolution.
Mediation can substantially reduce the time and expense to reach a conclusion of the case.
Because of the different professionals and contractors involved on a construction project, in most cases experts are retained to investigate the defects, evaluate the different causes of the defects and the responsible parties, prepare repair recommendations, and estimate the costs to perform those repairs. Experts specializing in the forensic analysis of specific construction claims are necessary to assist the attorney in presenting your case in court. Although some defects and damages may be apparent in a construction defect case, the extent of the defect and the full amount of damages may not be determined without testing. This testing may include an invasive investigation, where portions of walls, floors, and roofs may be removed. Soil samples, testing for mold and bacteria, and testing of building materials may also be performed.