#108 - Case History - Out of Scope Assistance Causes Problem

GBA Case History Series – Case History #108 - Out of Scope Assistance Causes Problem
Summary
GBA has published over 100 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. This episode in the series explores Case History #108, where a GBA-Member Firm provided suggested changes to a sewer pipe design in order to keep construction moving forward on a five-story senior-living facility. Four years later, swelling clays caused the sewer line to back-up and the lower-level slab began showing heaving related distress. That good deed with other project related complications resulted in a $25 million claim that required an extensive defense of contract limitations of liability, standards of care, and project documentation.
Topics for discussion include:
Project background [min. 2:10]
What were the major issues and causes of issues on the project? [min 8:00]
What was the claim by the client? [min. 9:00]
What was limitation of liability on the project? [min. 10:40]
What were findings? [min. 11:28]
Beginning of interview with Joe Geo. [min. 13:27]
Impacts to firm. [min. 18:10]
How did daily field reports contribute to this issue? [min. 25:30]
Discussion on Colorado law regarding residential work. [min. 27:15]
What does firm do differently now because of this case regarding residential work? [min. 29:15]
What happens when your insurance company gets involved? [min.30:57]
Where can you get a copy of this case history? [min 32:22]
Lessons learned. [min. 32:36]
Big takeaway. [min. 44:40]
Lessons Learned:
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Prevent Recommendations from Becoming Requirements
Do Not Unilaterally Deviate from the Scope of Services
It Pays to Be Your Brother’s Keeper
Documentation Can Be Your Best Defense
Consider Limitation of Liability During Your Go/No-Go Analysis
Calls-to-action:
Download Case History #108: https://www.geoprofessional.org/product/gba-case-history-no-108/
Visit the following link to access all of GBA’s Case Histories: https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/ (https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/)
An account is required to download the individual Case Histories, which are free for GBA Member Firms.
Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org (https://www.geoprofessional.org) for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com (https://www.gbapodcast.com) for future Podcast Episodes
Contact us at [email protected] with any podcast-related questions or comments
Subscribe
* Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe
This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:
Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyvorhies/) – Vice President/SME (https://sme-usa.com/)
Carrie Foulk, PE, GE (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-foulk-pe-ge-ab108533/) – Senior Geotechnical Engineer/BSK Associates (https://www.bskassociates.com/)
Ryan White, PE, GE (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankwhite/) – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc. (https://www.pbsusa.com/)

GBA Case History Series – Case History #108 - Out of Scope Assistance Causes Problem

Summary

GBA has published over 100 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. This episode in the series explores Case History #108, where a GBA-Member Firm provided suggested changes to a sewer pipe design in order to keep construction moving forward on a five-story senior-living facility. Four years later, swelling clays caused the sewer line to back-up and the lower-level slab began showing heaving related distress. That good deed with other project related complications resulted in a $25 million claim that required an extensive defense of contract limitations of liability, standards of care, and project documentation.

Topics for discussion include:

Project background [min. 2:10]
What were the major issues and causes of issues on the project? [min 8:00]
What was the claim by the client? [min. 9:00]
What was limitation of liability on the project? [min. 10:40]
What were findings? [min. 11:28]
Beginning of interview with Joe Geo. [min. 13:27]
Impacts to firm. [min. 18:10]
How did daily field reports contribute to this issue? [min. 25:30]
Discussion on Colorado law regarding residential work. [min. 27:15]
What does firm do differently now because of this case regarding residential work? [min. 29:15]
What happens when your insurance company gets involved? [min.30:57]
Where can you get a copy of this case history? [min 32:22]
Lessons learned. [min. 32:36]
Big takeaway. [min. 44:40]

Lessons Learned:

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Prevent Recommendations from Becoming Requirements
Do Not Unilaterally Deviate from the Scope of Services
It Pays to Be Your Brother’s Keeper
Documentation Can Be Your Best Defense
Consider Limitation of Liability During Your Go/No-Go Analysis

Calls-to-action:

Download Case History #108: https://www.geoprofessional.org/product/gba-case-history-no-108/
Visit the following link to access all of GBA’s Case Histories: https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/
An account is required to download the individual Case Histories, which are free for GBA Member Firms.
Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes
Contact us at [email protected] with any podcast-related questions or comments

Subscribe

Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

Tiffany Vorhies, NACE CIP-2 – Vice President/SME
Carrie Foulk, PE, GE – Senior Geotechnical Engineer/BSK Associates
Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc.