New trial ordered in construction lawsuit

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Thursday, May 20, 2004 | 9:55 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has ordered a new trial to allow the J.A. Jones Construction Co. to show it was entitled to more money than it received for the structural concrete work it did in the building of the Sands Exposition Center.

Lehrer McGovern Bovis Inc. was construction manager of the project and contracted with the Jones firm for $7.4 million with the work to be completed in 14 weeks. Construction was to start on July 1, 1997.

Jones said it reduced its initial bid of $8.8 million because the construction manager promised to prepare and maintain the site that would allow Jones to perform its work continuously. Because of delays and change orders, Lehrer paid an additional $1 million for the job that took eight months.

Jones maintained it was owed millions of dollars more and sued on grounds it had to perform its work at an inadequately prepared and maintained site. A district court jury awarded Jones $1.1 million, a decision the company appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that errors at trial resulted in an inadequate judgment.