Retaining Wall Failure. 1

[bridgebuster]

I'm not particulary fond of attorneys either. We got hit with two crazy lawsuits back in the 90's. The first was a bridge rehab project. Out involvement ended with final plans - RFI's, construction support, shop drawings - the things the designer would normally handle were done by the firm hired for the construction inspection. Here's what happened: The contractor installed a section of SIP forms at the wrong elevation. He sends to ironworkers to remove the forms. They were standing on the forms as they were cutting them. The men fell about 40 feet. Tragically, one was killed; the other permanently disabled.

We were sued along with the contractor. Why? Our name was on the plans, even though the attorneys knew we weren't involved. Then again, if lawyer-logic there was the remote possibility that it was our fault the forms were set wrong. Initially, the lawsuit didn't include the CI firm. Anyway, we were eventually released from the suit but it cost us $75 grand - insurance deductible. It was a lot of money for us - we were a small firm at the time.

In the second case, we prepared plans for a bridge deck rehab - new overlay. The bridge has three lanes in each direction (east and west). In the mornings, the left lane of the east bound side is used as a bus lane. There's an opening in the concrete median and PLENTY of signs that say "BUSES and TAXIS ONLY". The bus lane is delineated with cones every 10'. One morning, a motorist went in the bus lane, then he went into the center lane - head-on collision; killed instantly. Again, our name was on the plans. I don't recall how much it cost us to get out of the suit.

 

[CTW]

Second, it's a small engineering world. You might need or want to do business with the same people that are suing you some time. Permanently pissing them off might be poor business in the future.

I know times are tough but that's ridiculous. It would only be poor business if you chose to do business with someone who previously sued you.

 

[dik]

Lawyers are in the same boat... if they miss someone that could have been included on their list, they, in turn, can be sued!

Dik

 

[JedClampett]

Engineering firms get sued by large clients for any number reasons. Politics, incompetence, revenge, jealousy or just plain orneriness. If you take it all personal, it will affect your business. No one is going to look good in a trial, even if you're right.
You don't have to believe me, but you're going to run into the same people after the litigation is over. You can settle or fight to the death. Is that where you want to spend your energy?

 

[bridgebuster]

As they said in the Godfather - "it's not personal; it's just business."

Of course, it's a lousy way to do business.