Avoiding Duty to Defend

By Mark Jackson, JCJ Insurance Agency It is extremely important to know the risks involved in the agreements you sign. Oftentimes during contract negotiations, design firms are determining their level of comfort with the risk verses rewards for that specific project....

Design Build Done Right for Design Firms

By Erin Kelley, JCJ Insurance The ACEC Research Institute recently released a new study, Design Build State of Practice: Recommendations for Agencies and Industry on Effective Project Delivery, in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder. With input from...

How to Limit the Liability of an Individual Design Professional

By Mark Jackson, JCJ Insurance Under Florida law, individual design professionals can be personally liable for negligence claims even if they did not sign the professional services contract with the client. Nine years ago, the State of Florida passed legislation that...

Is Value Engineering a Good Deal for Design Firms?

By Mark Jackson As we reach the halfway point of 2022, the design and construction industries continue to deal with supply chain issues. There is pressure on design firms due to a higher demand for materials, coupled with a world-wide shortage due to the on-going...

Beware of Increasing your Standard of Care

By Mark Jackson and Erin Johnson Design Professionals are held to a standard of care when providing professional services. This standard of care, similar to that imposed on doctors, lawyers and other professionals, requires them to provide professional services within...

You Need MFA

By Erin Johnson, JCJ Insurance Agency Scenario: You had a great week. Projects are going smoothly, and clients are happy.  You leave Friday afternoon for a relaxing weekend. You try to login on Saturday, but the computer network system is acting weird so you decide it...