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> Engineers that design bridges and buildings are liable when these structures fail and cause damage or loss of life. I'm pretty sure that's not true, at least
by kjksf 5y ago
> Engineers that design bridges and buildings are liable when these structures fail and cause damage or loss of life.
I'm pretty sure that's not true, at least not in practice.
Not even once have I read about an engineer being liable for a failed bridge.
But I'm open to being educated.
Can you point to a single case, in US, of an engineer being liable for a failed bridge?
Who found them liable (federal government? state government?) and what happened after they were found liable (a fine? jailtime)?
- radu_floricica 5y agoThe construction/architecture company is liable, and the same will happen with the software regulation. Not saying that it's a good (or bad) idea, only that the comparison is reasonably apt.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- throwawayboise 5y agoI would think that unless criminal negligence can be shown (e.g. an engineer signed off on plans that he knew or should have known were unsafe) then civil liability would maybe apply to the construction contractor (again, depending on why the bridge failed), for which they should be insured.
- sofixa 5y agohttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collapse https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collap... The architects were acquitted in the end ( who knows why, it was as clear cut as possible), but the company lost its engineering licenses.