You have completed a transportation hub project for a difficult customer who has been dissatisfied with the manner with which your organization managed his project.

The project has been delayed for several reasons—

mostly due to the client’s repeated change requests and unexpected adverse weather conditions—that have led to a final close-out that was six months delayed past the original plan. Because of these delays, the customer’s organization was unable to market a series of scenic summer bus tours through the wine region of the Napa Valley in time for the summer season. He plans to make a claim based on what he considers a commercial obligation on your part to compensate him for this lost business opportunity. What type of claim is he likely to make?

a. A default claim

b. An ex-gratia claim

c. A liquidated damages claim

d. A punitive claim