Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
(OP)
Let's say you just acquired your PE license and will soon be stamping structural plans for your employer. Are there any critical questions that should be asked of your employer? I'm thinking in terms of liability insurance, the standard process if there is a claim from drawings you stamped, general legal issues, etc.
Also, should you receive greater compensation when you are stamping drawings? I've noticed some firm owners stamp EVERYTHING, despite having other licensed individuals doing most of the work.
Also, should you receive greater compensation when you are stamping drawings? I've noticed some firm owners stamp EVERYTHING, despite having other licensed individuals doing most of the work.






RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
The drawings that you stamp, or sign, are checked from an engineering perspective - there shouldnt be a reason that you wouldnt stamp it from a insurance point of view. That should be covered in the client/engineering contract, and also your own contract.
Thats my thoughts on it anyway, not an expert!
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
Anytime I've asked, I've been told you're covered by the company's insurance and there's no personal liability attached. I've never heard different, nor have I heard of any litigation going after an individual's personal property.
Make sure the drawings have been reviewed and been done by you or under your direction. As long as nothing falls down, you're fine.
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
I can think of instances where this statement would be false.... but I get your point.
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
You made a very good point. Got to check with my employer about that.
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
And, should the firm, possibly a corporation, fold, where does the liability for any claims lie then, if anywhere? This question, more likely than not, is a question for your lawyer to answer.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
I worked for Company "A" that went out of business and sold it's assets to Company "B". I then went to work for Company "B". My seal was on a fence plan for a project completed a couple of years earlier for Company B and Developer C. The plaintiffs complaint was regarding flooding of the development. The plaintif's attorney found the fence plan in the project files and both I and my wife were served with a complaint along with every other engineer who had worked on the project over the prior 5 years. Turns out my involvement with the project was minimal and un-related to the alleged complaint, but my new employer would not defend me. Something about "deep pockets and they didn't want to get involved and besides, they were not involved anyway but good luck with that". I had to hire my own attorney and pay the bill. Luckily the case was settled out of court so no trial was held, but still cost me about $2,000. So be careful about what you sign.
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
At the least, make sure you are a named insured on your company's policy.
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?
RE: Questions to ask your employer before stamping structural plans?