An Overview of How Construction Litigation is Handled

John Mangan is a resident of Carlisle, PA who has both studied and worked in the local area, including running his law firm, Mangan Law Office. Prior to establishing his firm in Carlisle, PA, John Mangan worked for Powell Trachtman Logan Carle and Lombardo, where part of his job was handling construction litigation for architects and engineers.

Construction litigation happens when two parties who are involved in a contract have a dispute over some matter and cannot come to an agreement. This is when the dispute ends up in the courts, and goes through a defined process. There are attorneys who deal specifically with construction litigation, and they will start by investigating the case, gathering evidence, and witnesses to the dispute.

The next part of the process is in the courtroom with the pleadings, where the prosecution will present the pending lawsuit. Once the defense has time to do their own investigations, it goes to the discovery phase, where all relevant evidence and information is presented to the court.

Most construction disputes don’t go any further than the discovery phase and are settled outside of the courtroom. If that isn’t the case, the attorneys will start gathering expert witnesses, if needed, going to pre-trial conferences, and doing consultations. Even once the lawsuit goes to trial, the case may be settled at any time, and once a decision in the case is made, there may be grounds for an appeal on either side. 

The Responsibility Code for Skiers and Snowboarders

John Mangan is a lawyer in Carlisle, PA, with over 16 years of experience in the region. When he is not representing clients in and around Carlisle, PA in legal matters related to family law and civil litigation, John Mangan stays active by skiing. Anyone who is a fan of skiing should be aware of the Responsibility Code.

The Responsibility Code is a set of standards and regulations designed to optimize safety while skiing and snowboarding. The code is upheld by both the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) and the National Ski Patrol (NSP). Important elements of the Responsibility Code range from using devices to safely stop runaway equipment to learning how to appropriately use a ski lift before using one. Above all else, skiers and snowboarders are advised to maintain control at all times, meaning they can stop or change directions in a moment’s notice.

Additional aspects of the Responsibility Code involve how to observe right of way on a mountain. Right of way almost always belongs to individuals further down the trail, as they cannot monitor the activities of skiers and snowboarders at their backs. That said, individuals preparing to merge onto a trail must look both ways to avoid interfering with other riders, including those traveling downhill.

What Does a Civil Litigation Attorney Do?

An attorney based in Carlisle, PA, John Mangan is the owner of the Mangan Law Office. With more than two decades of experience practicing law, John Mangan focuses on criminal defense, custody, divorce, and civil litigation matters.

A civil lawsuit usually begins with a case assessment. The attorney works with the plaintiff to review the evidence and determine if there are grounds for a lawsuit. If it appears the matter may be able to be resolved without a lawsuit, attorneys participate in pre-litigation settlement discussions.

If the lawsuit proceeds, a civil litigation attorney files the necessary pleadings and motions and initiates the lawsuit. After the lawsuit filing, attorneys engage in the discovery process and other pretrial tasks that lead to the trial and resolution of the lawsuit. At any point in the process, attorneys and clients may convene to settle the matter and avoid any further expenses through negotiation. If the trial concludes unfavorably for the defendant, a litigation attorney may help the client develop arguments that can be used to appeal the court's decision.