Court Reviews United Fire Case Over Lack of Warning Signs on McDowell Road

The Utah Court of Appeals convened on August 19, 2025, to discuss the case of Al-Imari v. UDOT, focusing on the claims made by United Fire regarding traffic control measures at a construction site. The meeting began with a review of the court's findings, emphasizing the absence of warning signs or devices that could have guided motorists away from hazardous conditions.

The court highlighted that United Fire's claims were not based on perceived deficiencies in existing signage but rather on a complete lack of any warning signs. This absence of signage raised significant concerns about safety and liability. The court noted that if the jury accepts United Fire's account, it would indicate a clear failure to provide necessary warnings, which does not require expert testimony to establish.

The discussion underscored that the situation at the construction site was straightforward enough that a layperson could recognize the need for warning signs. The court pointed out that Staker, the contractor responsible for the site, should have implemented some form of traffic guidance to alert drivers to the dangerous conditions created by their work.

As the meeting progressed, the judge requested that a 24(j) letter be filed, which would include relevant citations to support the claims made during the discussion. This request indicated the court's intent to ensure that all legal arguments were well-documented and supported by precedent.

The session concluded with a request for clarification on the chronology of events related to the case, ensuring that all parties had a clear understanding of the timeline as they moved forward. Overall, the meeting focused on the critical issue of safety and the responsibilities of contractors in providing adequate warnings to the public.