Here’s what’s happening. National Fire says it’s been left holding the bag for defense costs in a personal injury lawsuit tied to a renovation at the James NoMad Hotel in Manhattan. The story starts back in March 2018, when Rafael Laracuente, a maintenance engineer, claims he tripped over pipes in the hotel’s basement during a construction project. He sued several parties, including AWS Plumbing Heating & AC LLC, the hotel’s owner, the general contractor Humphrey Rich Construction Group, Inc. (HRCG), and AWS Mechanical Corporation.