Engineer Malpractice: What You Need to Know About Filing a Lawsuit

Like all professionals, engineers and their employers are held to strict professional standards—and failing to uphold these standards can lead to significant losses for their clients.

Whether you are dealing with civil engineers, environmental engineers, structural engineers, or any other engineer, these professionals must follow the rules of their profession. 

When an engineer fails to do so and you suffer financial losses, you may be entitled to compensation through a malpractice lawsuit for their errors and negligence.

If you have been the victim of engineering malpractice, you don’t have to face it alone. Morgan & Morgan’s Business Trial Group handles engineering malpractice lawsuits, and we have recovered millions of dollars for clients harmed by engineering errors. 

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation. You don’t have to worry about upfront fees or costs—at Morgan & Morgan, the Fee Is Free®, and you only pay if we win.

What Is Engineering Malpractice?

Engineering malpractice occurs when an engineer fails to meet the professional standards of their field, leading to harm, property damage, or financial losses. Engineers are held to a high standard of care, as their work directly impacts public safety and well-being. Malpractice may involve design flaws, poor project management, or violations of building codes and regulations.

Victims of engineering malpractice can pursue legal action if they can prove that the engineer’s negligence directly caused their damages.

Types of Engineering Malpractice

Engineers often assist with a wide variety of development and construction projects. They design developments, create plans, assist with permitting, perform feasibility studies, and provide advisory and consulting services with clients involved in real estate or construction projects. 

Specific examples of engineering malpractice include:

• Preparing plans or designs that cannot be permitted;
• Preparing plans or designs that are not feasible;
• Preparing plans or designs that run afoul of land use or environmental regulations; 
• Providing incorrect advice about a project;
• Failing to perform proper due diligence before a project commences. 

Anyone who may be the victim of engineering malpractice should save all documents and statements that relate to their losses and contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss their legal options.

Proving an Engineering Malpractice Claim

Not all engineering mistakes necessarily mean that a malpractice case exists. To win an engineering malpractice claim, the client must satisfy the following legal elements:

• The engineer owed the client a duty of professional care. This is usually satisfied if you hired the engineer to perform some scope of work. 
• The engineer breaches a duty of care owed to the client. A breach might occur from the engineer failing to follow the standards expected in their professional community (negligence) or failing to follow specific provisions in the engineer-client contract (breach of contract).
• The client suffered monetary losses. This may take the form of increased project costs, loss of investment, fines or penalties that have been levied, or loss of future development profits, 
• There is a causal link between the breach of duty and the client’s losses.

As the nation’s largest personal injury law firm with offices in every state, Morgan & Morgan’s Business Trial Group handles engineering malpractice cases nationwide. 

Filing deadlines for malpractice claims vary by state. Our experienced team can guide you through the process and ensure your claim is filed accurately and within the required timeframe. Contact us today to discuss the specific timeline for your case.

Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Engineering malpractice cases can be complex, requiring in-depth knowledge of engineering standards and the law. At Morgan & Morgan, our Business Trial Group collaborates with industry experts to investigate claims and build strong cases. With over $23 billion recovered for clients nationwide, our track record speaks for itself.

Our team operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. We are committed to fighting for justice and ensuring that negligent engineers are held accountable.

If you’ve suffered harm or financial loss due to engineering malpractice, don’t navigate this challenging process alone. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Let us fight for you while you focus on recovering and rebuilding.