Negligence by an Architect Lawsuit Attorney

As a design professional, an architect in the state of California must adhere to certain rules and codes of conduct. This includes guidelines on their role in a building project and the standard of care that is expected from an architect. Design professionals must also be aware of local ordinances and ensure that plans and blueprints are in compliance with these laws.

Unfortunately, there are situations where architects fail to exercise due diligence, and as a result, there is significant financial loss to the client. Lack of reasonable care by an architect also puts the public at risk while the building is under construction or once there are occupants after the project is complete.

Our team of architect malpractice attorneys is here to provide legal advice and help you determine the best course of action. If you are a victim of negligence by an architect, engineer, or any other design professional, contact the offices of Kenmore Law Group.

Architect Malpractice: What Does it Mean?

Essentially, malpractice by an architect is a deviation from professional codes of conduct as established by industry standards, as well as local, county, and state laws. Without a standard of reasonable care, there are many things that can go throughout the stages of a building project. Thus, it’s imperative that an architect invest the proper amount of time, research, and supervision to ensure that everything is going according to plan. If there are any problems, they must inform the client immediately and/or find a way to rectify the problem.

To determine whether you have the right to sue an architect, it’s important to have a sense of their duties and responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to:

• Investigating the work site and local laws as part of the drafting process
• Conducting various studies and consulting other experts, like engineers
• Arranging the technical aspects of the project and recommending contractors
• Complying with building codes, zoning laws, and other regulations
• Delivering on the terms of the contract in a timely manner
• Periodically observing the work that’s being done by various contractors.

Grounds for Negligence by an Architect Lawsuit

Now that we’ve gone over the basic duties of an architect, let’s review examples of conduct that qualify as malpractice by an architect or architectural firm:

• Errors in blueprints, architectural plans and other documents due to carelessness, lack of research or failure to verify information
• Not hiring professionals that are qualified to do the task they were assigned
• Inadequate supervision of personnel throughout the project
• Failure to follow the client’s instructions or properly address their concerns
• Insufficient checks to make sure that the project complies with government regulations
• Failing to submit thorough building plans and other paperwork in a timely manner
• Not delivering on the services that were outlined in the contract with the client

The architect malpractice attorneys of Kenmore are thoroughly experienced in lawsuits for negligence by design professionals, like improper design and breach of contract. For a free consultation on your rights and legal options, contact us to schedule a free case review.

Third Party Liability – Lawsuits against Contractors

Throughout this article, we mentioned that architects have a duty to supervise the project on a periodic basis. People are often confused about what this means and how it impacts their right to sue an architect or design firm when there are accidents and other issues that cause financial and legal problems.

To clarify, an architect is not responsible for supervision of the construction process on a day-to-day basis. Contractors have supervisors for this purpose and insurance to cover injuries and property damage when they are legally liable.

Furthermore, we can rely on section 5536.25(c) of California’s Business and Professions Code, which states, “construction observation services does not mean the superintendence of construction processes, site conditions, operations, equipment, or personnel, or the maintenance of a safe place to work or any safety in, on, or about the site.” In actuality, the architect’s job is to offer “periodic observation of completed work to determine general compliance with the plans, specifications, reports or other contract documents.”

In essence, there are cases where the architect is not at fault, and instead, you may have to sue a contractor or another party. This is a different type of lawsuit altogether, so it’s in your best interest to seek legal counsel from an experienced design professional malpractice attorney. Our law firm is here 24/7 to answer your questions and help you figure out the best way to move forward.

Contact Kenmore Law Group

Lawsuits for negligence by an architect are extremely complex, as they involve numerous legal issues and technical knowledge that the average person is unaware of. As a result, proving malpractice by an architect is a difficult process to handle on your own.

By contacting us, you can speak to a negligent architect lawsuit attorney completely free of charge. If you decide that we are the right firm to represent you, all legal expenses are deferred until you are compensated by the other party. If we fail to secure the payment you deserve, the Zero Fee Guarantee ensures that you won’t be responsible for any legal fees.

We look forward to hearing from you and obtaining compensation on your behalf from a malpractice claim involving negligence or misconduct by an architect.

We understand how these incidents take a toll on your finances. That’s why legal fees are collected at the end of your case, after we have successfully recovered your payment from the defendant. In the event we fail to secure your settlement, you owe us absolutely nothing since we provide all clients with the Zero Fee Guarantee.

For a free case evaluation with a Los Angeles architect malpractice attorney, contact our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.