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More than 80 homes were damaged last month when a retaining wall in a San Antonio neighborhood experienced slope failure and collapsed. In such situations, homeowners are poorly protected in Texas, says construction law attorney Mark McQuality of Shackelford Melton & McKinley in Dallas. Although lawmakers phased out the Texas Residential Construction Commission Act, the Texas Residential Liability Act still gives builders a legal advantage in homeowner disputes. Additionally, most homebuyers sign arbitration agreements, preventing them from taking construction disputes before a jury. "The sad truth is that consumers have more legal protection when they buy a toaster than when they purchase a home in Texas," says McQuality, who recently had an $800,000 award for a homeowner who suffered slope failure damages upheld by the Texas Supreme Court. To interview Mr. McQuality, contact Robert Tharp at 800-559-4534 or robert@androvett.com.