CHICAGO — The University of Illinois has filed suit against a general contractor, its insurer and several subcontractors to recover unspecified costs of remediating mold and water damage in a $31 million dormitory. The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois v. Walsh Construction Company of Illinois, et al., No. 2005-L-004183 (Ill. Cir. Ct., Cook Cty.).

The university's board of trustees filed suit in Cook County (Ill.) Circuit Court on April 14 against the general contractor on the project, Walsh Construction Company of Illinois; Walsh's insurer, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America; the architect, Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates Inc.; and window subcontractors and heating and air-conditioning engineers and designers.

The trustees complain that the building was opened to 350 students in August 2001. They say they became aware of water intrusion and mold growth at Marie Robinson Hall in the summer of 2003, and learned by June 2004 of systemic problems that caused them to relocate residents for the fall 2004 semester.

The 28-page complaint includes claims for breach of contract, negligence, breach of warranty against Walsh and the subcontractors, and breach of surety bond against Travelers.

The trustees said only that damages for the costs of remediating the building, repairing or replacing defective equipment and relocating students would exceed $30,000. Mark Rosati, assistant to the chancellor for public affairs, declined to say what the university has spent on repairs and relocation.

Joseph G. Bisceglia and Daniel C. McMurtrie of Jenner & Block in Chicago represent the trustees.

Walsh Construction is represented by Sachnoff & Weaver of Chicago. Dunigan E. Bryan III of Chicago represents Travelers. Other defense firms include Hinshaw Culbertson in Chicago for Primera Engineers; Best, Vanderlaan, Harring of Chicago, for Seigle's Inc.; and Crisham & Kubes of Chicago, for Solomon Cordwell Buenz.
 
Related Document: Complaint - MOL-0507-10 (PDF format)
 

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