Architect Shielded from Attempt to Shift Liability in Injury Lawsuit

We advised an architecture firm facing a demand from its property owner client to contribute to a substantial personal injury settlement. A patron of the owner’s gambling facility suffered serious injuries after a fall, resulting in a lawsuit against the property owner and a substantial settlement. The owner then tried to recoup its roughly $250,000 deductible from the architect, alleging design flaws. The firm’s strategic advice involved engaging the architect’s insurance carrier for “pre-claim assistance,” allowing their legal counsel to assess the owner’s claim and defend the architect. This shielded the architect from any financial responsibility and prevented them from being named in the lawsuit.