Notwithstanding "No Damage for Delay" Clause, Delay Damages May be Recovered in Certain Circumstances
Corinno Civetta Constr. Corp. v. City of New York, 67 N.Y.2d 297 (1986)
In Corinno Civetta, the Court of Appeals reaffirmed that generally, “no damage for delay” clauses, which bar a contractor from recovering damages for delay in the performance of a contract, are valid and enforceable. However, even with such a clause, damages may be recovered for: (i) delays caused by the contractee’s bad faith or willful, malicious, or grossly negligent conduct; (ii) uncontemplated delays; (iii) delays so unreasonable that they constitute an intentional abandonment of the contract by the contractee; and (iv) delays resulting from the contractee’s breach of a fundamental obligation of the contract.
In Corinno Civetta, the Court of Appeals reaffirmed that generally, “no damage for delay” clauses, which bar a contractor from recovering damages for delay in the performance of a contract, are valid and enforceable. However, even with such a clause, damages may be recovered for: (i) delays caused by the contractee’s bad faith or willful, malicious, or grossly negligent conduct; (ii) uncontemplated delays; (iii) delays so unreasonable that they constitute an intentional abandonment of the contract by the contractee; and (iv) delays resulting from the contractee’s breach of a fundamental obligation of the contract.
