Alabama Construction Law Payment Bond Claims
If you are a construction worker, construction subcontractor, or construction materials company, and you are having difficulty getting paid for services, labor or materials, you need to take proactive measures to ensure that your rights are protected.
Early Action Protects Your Right to Get Paid: Perform a cost-benefit analysis before beginning each new project. If the project is worth a lot of money, it may be to your benefit to pay a nominal legal fee ahead of time to an attorney who can help you protect your payment rights from the outset.
At the Lindsey Law Firm in Birmingham, our construction law lawyers help companies of all sizes seek full and fair payment for work or materials contributed to state, federal or private construction projects throughout Alabama.
Our civil trial attorneys apply years of litigation experience and a dedication to standing up for the rights of the consumers, workers and small businesses we serve. Contact the Lindsey Law Firm in Birmingham today for a free consultation regarding construction liens, mechanic's liens or payment bond claims.
Payment Bonds and Construction Liens
Under Alabama's payment bond laws, every government construction project — including road construction, school construction, bridge construction, and so on — over a certain value must post bond to ensure payment to contractors, subcontractors, laborers and material suppliers.
Likewise, the federal government is required to post a Miller Act bond for construction projects under its control. Private construction projects in Alabama may include a private payment bond. A construction worker or company seeking payment of an unpaid balance for work or materials may file a payment bond claim. Payment bond claims follow a complex procedure. At the Lindsey Law Firm, we handle a high volume of payment bond claims and can process your claim efficiently and cost-effectively.
If a private company does not have a payment bond, then an unpaid construction worker or company may be able to exercise its lien rights to force payment of the unpaid balance. Lien law also has complex procedures that must be followed, which are different depending on whether the lien sought is an unpaid balance or a full balance lien. If these procedures are not followed, the construction company risks losing its right to place a lien. Another option to seek payment is to file a claim under Alabama's Prompt Payment Act.
When You Need Knowledgeable Lawyers Who Will Stand Up for Your Rights
Filing a construction lien under Alabama Public Works Statute 39.1.1 or a Miller Act bond claim will require you to follow a specific process and timeline. While it is technically possible to send the required notices, file the claim and pursue compensation in court without the help of a lawyer, it is important to remember that the other side will almost certainly have a team of experienced attorneys working to protect their interests.
We believe that our clients deserve the same level of protection and dedicated representation as the big construction companies and government contractors. If you need to understand your rights and options in seeking the full and fair payment you deserve, contact our office in Birmingham today for a free and informative consultation.
