Conflict of Interest Question
Conflict of Interest Question
(OP)
I have a potential conflict of interest scenario:
My grandfather's house was damaged by flood and my family has asked if I could write and seal a letter stating the flood caused damage and needs demo/replaced... all of which I am completely comfortable stating and any other engineer would agree. (I am a licensed PE in the State in question, with years of foundation/residential experience) The ethical conflict of interest is that my letter will eventually be used to expedite and/or increase the likelihood of receiving claim funds, and I could benefit from that as well.
Is it ethically "ok" to simply disclose in my letter that I am related to the property owner? I want to help my family, but I will not jeopardize my seal/ethics in doing so.
Thanks in advance for any advise.
My grandfather's house was damaged by flood and my family has asked if I could write and seal a letter stating the flood caused damage and needs demo/replaced... all of which I am completely comfortable stating and any other engineer would agree. (I am a licensed PE in the State in question, with years of foundation/residential experience) The ethical conflict of interest is that my letter will eventually be used to expedite and/or increase the likelihood of receiving claim funds, and I could benefit from that as well.
Is it ethically "ok" to simply disclose in my letter that I am related to the property owner? I want to help my family, but I will not jeopardize my seal/ethics in doing so.
Thanks in advance for any advise.





RE: Conflict of Interest Question
It will be much less of a problem later to have someone not related to you write, sign, and seal the letter. Perhaps there is another person in your firm that you can ask to do this for you. In return, you may be able to do the same for them on an equally problematic position.
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
Law is the common force organized to act as an obstacle of injustice Frédéric Bastiat
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
I have already talked to a colleague of mine about reviewing the damage and writing his own objective assessment of the situation.
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
Obviously need to be careful though that you aren't getting them to just 'rubber stamp' what you would say.
For your family, I'd emphasize the legal aspect that if it ends up in court of law or adjudication it would probably be a negative that you have a perceived interest, rather than trying to explain the ethical aspects.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
As a P.E. your obligation is only to your understanding of the truth. Stamping a package that you have a personal interest in gives the appearance that you are acting in those interests, not in the interest of the truth. It really doesn't matter if you write exactly the same report you would have written as a disinterested third party. It just doesn't matter, you can't prove it. This is not an ethical question, it is a practical question. Practical questions are a lot easier. You can't prove that your opinion was not biased by your ownership so don't try.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
Law is the common force organized to act as an obstacle of injustice Frédéric Bastiat
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
In the end, my frustration with the situation is itself evidence of the lack of complete objectivity.
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
RE: Conflict of Interest Question
"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."
Ben Loosli