Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 27

BE
UL
HESTANDARD
OF CARE
The standard of care is at the center of managing
engineering risk, and keeping it in mind is critical

BY SAMUEL GREENGARD

M

ROMOLOTAVANI / GETTY IMAGES / ISTOCK

ake no mistake-understanding and being mindful of the standard of care is critical.
In the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction, the standard of care
is a simple yet profound concept: A firm performing work must adhere to a set of
standards deemed customary in order to meet its legal obligations. This includes
performing professional engineering services with the skill and care that a reasonably
careful professional engineer would have used in similar circumstances. The goal is not
perfection, but meeting a common standard that avoids professional negligence.
"Standard of care is an issue that never seems to go away," says Karen Erger, senior vice president and
director of practice risk management at Lockton Companies.
"Too often, project owners want design professionals to guarantee their work or warrant a perfect design.
It is an unrealistic and unreasonable expectation. An engineering firm that agrees to meet a higher-thannormal standard of care can face legal and financial consequences," Erger says.
RISKY BUSINESS

There is nothing unusual or suspect about developers and project owners aiming high. However, as projects
become more complex and costs escalate, the pressure to achieve goals and objectives grows. Under these
circumstances, a project owner may blame an engineering firm for a perceived defect or a cost overrun.
These claims of negligence can result in brutal disputes, expensive fixes, and even legal battles that extend
to mediation or a courtroom.
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

ENGINEERING INC.

27



Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019

Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019
Contents
FROM ACEC TO YOU
MARKET WATCH
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
THE PRIVATE SIDE
STRATEGIC PLAN
2019 FALL CONFERENCE
STANDARD OF CARE
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS
TAKING A HARD STANCE
CREATING CONNECTIONS
2019 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR
ACEC RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - Intro
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - Cover2
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - Contents
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 2
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 3
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - FROM ACEC TO YOU
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 5
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - MARKET WATCH
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 7
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 9
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - THE PRIVATE SIDE
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 11
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 12
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 13
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 14
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 15
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 16
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 17
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - STRATEGIC PLAN
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 19
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 2019 FALL CONFERENCE
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 21
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 22
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 23
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 24
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 25
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - STANDARD OF CARE
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 27
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 28
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 29
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - OPPORTUNITY AWAITS
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 31
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 32
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 33
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - TAKING A HARD STANCE
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 35
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 36
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 37
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - CREATING CONNECTIONS
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 39
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 40
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 41
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 42
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 43
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 2019 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 45
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - ACEC RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 48
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 50
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 51
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - 52
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - Cover3
Engineering Inc. - November/December 2019 - Cover4
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