Engineers are exposed to a wide range of risks when conducting their jobs. There will be times when issues arise that can lead to a claim being made or a defence having to be made against an accusation of poor performance. 

Whilst the following examples are fictional, they represent the type of real-world scenarios our clients face. It is important to note that even if you feel that you have met your professional obligations, you may still be involved in a claim.

Claims examples:

Civil Engineer – Design Errors or Incorrect Specifications

A civil engineer was engaged to design the retaining walls for a residential subdivision. Due to an oversight in interpreting soil testing data, the design underestimated the pressure exerted by saturated clay soils during winter. This led to wall movement and necessitated remedial work, which cost a significant amount of money. The client filed a claim for negligent design and project delays due to the reconstruction.

Structural Engineer – Failure to Account for Site Conditions

A structural engineer provided framing specifications for a commercial building without considering the high-water table at the site. The oversight led to foundation instability during the early construction phases. As the builder incurred additional costs for redesign and remediation, a professional indemnity claim was filed due to the failure to consider known local geotechnical conditions.

Mechanical Engineer – Certification of Non-Compliant Work

A mechanical engineer was contracted to inspect and certify an HVAC installation in a multi-storey building. Later, it was discovered that the ductwork did not meet fire safety codes due to a mismatch in fire dampers. As their certification had been relied upon for occupancy approval, the engineer was drawn into a claim involving regulatory fines and costs of retrofit compliance.

Electrical Engineer – Disputes Over Scope of Services

An electrical engineer was hired to design the power system for a manufacturing facility. After commissioning, voltage irregularities occurred, affecting production. The client alleged that the design was incomplete and that the engineer should have scoped and advised on power quality solutions. The engineer argued this was beyond the agreed brief, but still faced a claim for underperformance and negligence.

Environmental Engineer – Misinterpreted Advice by Third Party

An environmental engineer issued a site contamination report for a developer. The report clearly stated it was limited in scope and intended only for the commissioning client. However, a third-party investor relied on the report in a property transaction and later sued when unforeseen asbestos contamination was discovered. Although the engineer had included disclaimers, they were still subject to a costly defence and partial settlement due to reliance on their professional opinion.

Geotechnical Engineer – Inadequate Risk Communication

A geotechnical engineer assessed a hillside development site and identified a moderate risk of landslide. Their report mentioned the need for slope stabilisation but did not strongly recommend delaying construction. Heavy rain months later triggered slope movement and damage to adjacent properties. The client argued the engineer had failed to clearly communicate the urgency of risk mitigation, resulting in a claim for both property damage and delay-related losses.

Fire Safety Engineer – Reliance on Preliminary Report

A fire engineer shared a preliminary fire safety report as part of a design workshop. It was labelled “draft,” pending further evaluation. However, the builder used it to obtain local authority endorsement. When the final report recommended significant design changes, the developer blamed the engineer for misleading the project team and sought compensation for redesign costs and approval delays.

Building Services Engineer – Miscoordination with Other Consultants

A building services engineer provided specifications for a hospital’s electrical system. They assumed the architect’s ceiling space would accommodate their routing. When onsite clashes occurred with ducting and structural beams, it was revealed that the service zones were not fully coordinated. The builder and project manager lodged a claim for the redesign and delay, asserting the engineer should have flagged the risk earlier.

If you would like to discuss the types of claims your business might face or require assistance in determining the right coverage, please contact us.