When it comes to the standard of care in design, professional liability for architects and engineers is crucial. Architectural malpractice lawsuits can arise if you fail to comply with building codes or to correct design flaws. In such cases, hiring a legal malpractice attorney in San Francisco, CA, is ideal for protecting your interests.
We at Furukawa Castles Karic LLP understand legal malpractice claims against professionals. Here, we explain common errors that lead to these types of lawsuits and offer tips to prevent them.
Why Partner With a Legal Malpractice Attorney in San Francisco
Designers and architects are professionals who must adhere to strict standards regarding their craftsmanship, safety, and regulatory compliance requirements. Missed deadlines, poor communication, structural design flaws, and liability risks can lead to costly consequences that would otherwise be preventable by meeting industry standards.
Unfortunately, disputes can arise, so working with a skilled legal malpractice attorney in San Francisco can help resolve alleged breaches of professional duty. The attorney can determine whether the claim of professional negligence is valid and help you explore your options for a resolution that doesn’t negatively impact your long-term business interests.
Errors That Often Cause Malpractice Lawsuits for Architects and Engineers
Architectural malpractice claims can take many forms, including the following:
Negligence
Engineers and architects often receive complaints from clients when they fail to do their due diligence to produce satisfactory outcomes without exceeding budgets, creating unsafe work sites, or damaging property. Even project delays can lead to a claim if professionals fail to communicate complications or changes with their clients.
It’s standard for professionals to include details about a defect liability period in their contracts to address complaints after finishing work. If they don’t fix workmanship issues within the terms of a defect liability period, clients may file a negligence claim.
Failure To Meet Building Codes
The consequences of inadequate site inspections according to federal, state, or local building codes can be severe. The project may encounter delays or create unsafe conditions due to code violations. The impact of building code violations resulting from inadequate inspections can also be costly for architects and designers, as they may be held liable for delays and increased fees.
Design Errors or Omissions
Miscalculations and design flaws during the planning stage can create unsafe or defective structures. Omissions of critical features, such as fire safety elements, can also put property owners and others at risk.
Preventing Architectural Professional Negligence Claims
Remember these tips to reduce the risk of an architectural malpractice claim:
- Offer additional training to staff.
- Have your attorney review contracts before signing them.
- Implement strict quality control assessments.
- Communicate with clients regularly.
Avoid Liability Claims With Help From a Legal Malpractice Attorney
Navigating architectural malpractice lawsuits alone can seem daunting. Our construction and real estate attorneys at Furukawa Castles Karic LLP know about the common types of engineering and architectural malpractice lawsuits. We use our experience and knowledge to defend professionals against various allegations, including negligence, defects, and contract disputes.
Request a consultation in San Francisco, California, with one of our attorneys by calling Furukawa Castles Karic LLP at (415) 510-2823.