Industry: Legal moves after Berkeley ‘knee-jerk’

Legislative moves to tighten oversight of construction companies following the Berkeley balcony collapse have been branded “knee-jerk” by the main body representing building firms in California.

This after it emerged the company that built the Library Gardens complex has paid out over $22m (€19.9m) in the past three years to settle lawsuits involving balconies with water damage, according to a board charged with overseeing the licensing of contractors.

But the board knew nothing of the settlements before June’s deadly collapse as it is not notified unless a suit goes to trial and a judgement is handed down.