Lawyer for construction damage and boundary dispute

My neighbor is building a 2 story masonry rear yard extension. Like most Brooklyn backyards, there is shared structural wall(1/4 wall) that separates our properties at the year. This shared structure is also the foundation and support for my own rear yard addition.

My neighbor’s contractor vertically extended the wall by laying masonry blocks atop their half of this shared wall. They excavated and shored up their side of the wall, but took no remedial action on my side.

My primary concern is about damage that may arise as a result of the excavation and construction.

My secondary concern is what sort of liability do I have for damages to their wall in the future. For example,
If I allow my side of the shared wall to deteriorate AND this ends up compromising the integrity of the shared wall AND this ends up causing damage to their wall(since they’ve build atop it)… will I be liable?

I’d appreciate any opinions or advice on how to go forward. Ultimately, I’m really looking for a lawyer that litigates this sort of thing.

rentrix

in General Discussion 7 years and 7 months ago

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workisfun | 7 years and 7 months ago

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Your concerns are valid. And you may have a case for the neighbor to pay your legal fees.
Brian G. Lustbader
Partner
blustbader@schiffhardin.com
d +1.212.745.9576 | f +1.212.753.5044