Sealing drawings and liability

[riskengr]

We are evalyuating our practices in regards to overseeing the work of subcontractors and sealing drawings for which we have taken responsible charge of the design. One of our engineers has quoted several cases in which he believes licensees were disciplined by the board when a design they had stamped failed due to changes made to the installation or surrounding conditions following the design. In this case he is referencing DE where he believes that engineers are now being held liable by licensing boards from cradle through grave for projects, regardless of how much control (if any) they have during construction.

Anyone have similar experiences or can lead me to some references. Anyone aware of this being done in other states?

Thanks,

Stephen Haines, PE, CFEI
Haines Fire & Risk Consulting

http://www.hainesfire-risk.com

 

[TDAA]

Woodman,

Sorry, that was in response to the OP, and follows with what you were saying. There is no way that you should be liable for work beyond the point you stop providing services. The design up to where you sealed it - yes, but not for design/use changes that impact the design - that you are not aware of.