Key Person Insurance is life insurance coverage usually owned by the business on the key individuals within that business. In a small business this individual is normally the owner/cofounder of the business, managing partner, and/or person responsible for the majority of profits. These key people are crucial to the business and without them the business couldn’t…
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Business Coverage Professional Liability
Are You Managing Risks of Design/Build Teams or Contractor Terminations?
The AIA Trust published two risk reports to their website, one exploring the risks associated with contractor terminations and the other about the risks associated with design/build teams. Contractor Termination Lawsuits: The Architect’s Risks and How to Manage Them, a risk report authored by Bryan Hale, Esq., is aimed at helping architects understand the…
Read MoreContractor Termination Lawsuits: The Architect’s Risks and How to Manage Them
When the terminator shows up, you must be ready. Termination of the contractor on a project almost always guarantees a lawsuit, and the architect is often among the casualties. The report, Contractor Termination Lawsuits: The Architect’s Risks and How to Manage Them, addresses why the architect is often sued when a project goes wrong, and…
Read MoreThe ABC’s of E-data: A Discussion Related to the Issues Raised by Electronic Information
As the law pertaining to electronic data evolves, architecture firms must understand the issues around it. Firms must be able to identify the electronic data involved in their daily operations and how to properly store and discard it. Importantly, as electronic data grows exponentially, firms must also understand rules of discovery requirements and what one…
Read MoreGuilty Until Proven Innocent: Claims Defense Documentation
The compelling report, Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Claims Defense Documentation, addresses documentation by the architect, centering on the presumption, “If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.” The paper is a guideline for managing your documentation with helpful suggestions for beneficial recordkeeping and documents retention and retrieval for an effective claims response in the event…
Read MoreBusiness Coverage Professional Liability
Need a Lawyer? Try the New AIA Trust Legal Network
AIA members and their firms can now find qualified A/E Construction Lawyers to help when it’s needed most—in handling a pending claim or another A/E legal matter. The AIA Trust Legal Network is a database of experienced A/E law firms that may be searched by state to assist members in finding appropriate legal representation when needed. The…
Read MoreBack to Basics: An Effective Risk Management Program
A successful risk management plan requires consideration of exposure, capability, responsibility, and power. Regardless of how a firm positions itself and selects its clients, a carefully crafted risk management program is the basic foundation for a firm’s ultimate survival and a major contributor to a firm’s success and profitability.
Read MoreWebinar: Managing Professional Exposures as a Small Project Practitioner
Earn 1 HSW Credit The AIA Trust sponsored a one-hour Webinar on Managing Professional Exposures as a Small Project Practitioner for 1 HSW Credit, conducted by Frank Musica, Assoc. AIA, Esq. of the Risk Management Department of Victor. Frank offers a wealth of experience in design and management of architecture firms and currently provides advisory…
Read MoreClaims Studies & Guides
Claims happen. It’s important to understand why, how to reduce your risks in advance of a potential claim, and how to handle one when you must. A general guide to assist the member in the handling of a claim, from anticipating, reporting & managing a claim, including utilizing pre-claim assistance, to defending against a claim,…
Read MorePractice Forms
Handy tools to help you manage your risks Dramatic changes in the economy mean that firms are taking on more risk. Here are some tools to help you & your firm to evaluate and manage potential risk: Project forms Project Intake Checklist—This form may help you & your firm to evaluate and manage potential risk.…
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