Legal Issues for Arizona Design Professionals

January 25, 2007

Dennis I. Wilenchik

Tyler Q. Swensen

Appearing as a Witness in a Civil Case

Tyler Q. Swensen

Professional Conduct and the Standard of Case

Dennis I. Wilenchik

Definition of the Standard of Care

In a negligence action, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the following: (1) duty, (2) breach of a duty or standard of care, (3) proximate cause, and (4) damages.

Definition of the Standard of Care

Arizona courts have recognized that design professionals, such as architects, have a duty to use ordinary skill, care, and diligence in rendering their professional services, and must use their skill, care, and diligence to provide sufficient and adequate plans. Donnelly Const. Co. v. Oberg/Hunt/Gilleland, 139 Ariz. 184, 677 P.2d 1292 (1984).

Definition of the Standard of Care

If a claim is asserted against a licensed professional in a civil lawsuit, the claimant (or his attorney) must provide a statement at the time the lawsuit is filed certifying whether or not expert opinion testimony is necessary to prove standard of care and/or liability. A.R.S. § 12-2602(A).

If such a certification is made, the claimant must produce a preliminary expert opinion affidavit when it exchanges its disclosure statement pursuant to Ariz.R.Civ.P. 26.1.

Contractual Requirements

Parties to a contract may alter the standard of care.

In general, a design professional should not seek to expand the scope of the standard of care, especially if extra compensation is not being provided to account for the additional risks.

Contractual Requirements

The contract should properly define the scope of services, including the services the design professional will and will not perform.

Regulatory Requirements

Design professionals are generally obligated to comply with codes, licensing laws, and zoning regulations.

Failure to comply with these standards may be negligence per se. See also, Gunnell v. Arizona Public Service Co., 202 Ariz. 388, 46 P.3d 399 (violation of a statutory standard of care is usually held to be negligence per se).

Regulatory Requirements

In Arizona, the Board of Technical Registration regulates architects and engineers, and other professionals.

Regulatory Requirements

The general purpose of the Board of Technical Registration is to provide for the safety, health and welfare of the public through the promulgation and enforcement of standards of qualification for those individuals registered or certified and seeking registration or certification. A.R.S. § 32-101(A).

Any person or firm seeking to practice a board regulated professional must secure a certificate or registration to practice. A.R.S. § 32-121.

Regulatory Requirements

Section A.A.C. R4-30-301 of the Arizona Administrative Code has a section relating to the rules of professional conduct for registrants under the Board of Technical Registration.

Taking Risks on Services

Every job involves some risks, and a design professional cannot avoid risks altogether.

When design professionals take on additional risks, they should be properly compensated.

A design professional should probably take on risks that he or she is qualified to handle.

Taking Risks on Services

In evaluating potential risks, assess them, allocate them to the best and most qualified people of the team, and document the job.

Conflicts of Interest

“[A] registrant shall not accept an assignment if the duty to a client or the public would conflict with the registrant’s personal interest or the interest of another client without full disclosure of all material facts of the conflict to each person who might be related to or affected by the project or engagement in question.” A.A.C R4-30-301(7)

A Defensive Practice Approach for Design Professionals

Closely examine the contract, and make sure it properly defines the roles and responsibilities of the parties.

A design professional (and his or her team) should be aware of all of the contract terms to avoid performing services that are not part of the contract or to avoid failure to perform services that are part of the contract.

A Defensive Practice Approach for Design Professionals

Document all important communications, status and progress reports, and payments.

A Defensive Practice Approach for Design Professionals

Make sure that certifications and memberships are up-to-date.

Maintain insurance, and timely notify insurance carriers of potential claims.

A Defensive Practice Approach for Design Professionals

Always communicate with the other people or teams working on the project.

Try not to misrepresent qualifications or promise things that cannot be delivered.