Dec 4 2014

Insurance Coverage Representation for Airport Design Team

Fellows LaBriola was called upon by the Terminal Design Team, the original designers of the new $250 million international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, in the wake of their termination from the airport project.  The team included Leo A Daly Co., Khafra Engineering Consultants Inc., Browder + LeGuizamon and Associates, and Anthony C. Baker Architects and Planners P.C.  Shortly after the termination, litigation ensued between the Terminal Design Team and the City of Atlanta with conflicting claims of over $100 million.

Fellows LaBriola was called upon by the Terminal Design Team to assist with a dispute with its insurance carrier and negotiate a resolution of the claim.  Shortly after being retained, Fellows LaBriola obtained an order from the Fulton County Superior Court allowing the Terminal Design Team to terminate the defense counsel selected by their insurer and replace them with counsel of their choice.  With new defense counsel in place and a ruling that the prior defense counsel’s fees would not be charged to the remaining balance of the policy, Fellows LaBriola worked to help resolve the claims.

In a global settlement, the Terminal Design Team obtained a commitment from their insurer to pay $10 million to the City to resolve the claims against it.  In addition, the City agreed to pay $1.25 million to the Terminal Design Team to settle claims for extra design work.  The city also agreed to convert the contract termination to a “termination for convenience.”