COVID-19 Liability of Architects, Engineers, and Related Design Professionals

Summary

This practice note addresses the potential liability of architects and engineers (hereafter called "design professionals") for the spread or the failure to contain COVID-19 while performing their professional functions. Others comprising the group include landscape designers, urban planners, and interior designers, but our focus will be on architects and engineers. Also discussed are types of liability insurance policies that may protect design professionals from individual and business-entity financial liability for errors and omissions stemming from the spread of COVID-19. The products include design professionals' policies that protect them and related designers from professional and some business liabilities. Finally, the interplay of the potential for liability by design professionals upon other third parties and insurance that may apply in that scenario is also examined.