A professional member working for a consulting company negligently designs a structure which collapses. In a suit, who is liable?

A professional member working for a consulting company negligently designs a structure which collapses. In a suit, who is liable?

• A. both the consulting company and the employee.
• B. the employee only
• C. the consulting company only
• D. the client

Answer: (A)

When a professional designer’s negligence leads to a structure collapse, both the individual professional and the employing firm can be held responsible. The professional owes a duty to exercise reasonable skill and care; failing to meet that duty through negligent design is personal liability for professional conduct. At the same time, the company can be vicariously liable for the actions of its employees carried out in the course of work. That means the firm can be sued for damages arising from the designer’s negligent acts, even if the designer could also be sued personally. The client isn’t typically liable for the professional’s negligence simply by receiving the service, so that option doesn’t fit as the responsible party.

When a professional designer’s negligence leads to a structure collapse, both the individual professional and the employing firm can be held responsible. The professional owes a duty to exercise reasonable skill and care; failing to meet that duty through negligent design is personal liability for professional conduct. At the same time, the company can be vicariously liable for the actions of its employees carried out in the course of work. That means the firm can be sued for damages arising from the designer’s negligent acts, even if the designer could also be sued personally. The client isn’t typically liable for the professional’s negligence simply by receiving the service, so that option doesn’t fit as the responsible party.