Professional Liability Blog

In Allied Design Consultants, Inc. v. Pekin Ins. Co. the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court recently affirmed a trial court’s grant of summary judgment finding the allegations in multiple personal injury lawsuits fell under the professional services exclusion included in the plaintiff’s insurance policy, and thus, the insurer was not required to defend the plaintiff in the lawsuit. 2024 IL App (4th) 4230738 (May 23, 2024).

In Ill. Union Ins. Co. v. US Bus Charter & Limo Inc., 291 F. Supp. 3d 286 (E.D. N.Y. 2018), the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York addressed the scope of coverage for alleged violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TPCA). One of the main issues presented was whether a TCPA violation was within the scope of the insurance policy’s coverage for performance of professional services and travel agency operations. 

No doubt architecture is a difficult field, with much often at risk when things go wrong. In law, if an attorney’s work doesn’t hold up, things only metaphorically collapse. I would no more presume to offer an architect technical advice in his or her field than I would offer it to a surgeon.On the other hand, certain matters are obvious enough that an attorney can offer a suggestion or two. For example, a contract for architectural services will likely require an architect to deliver design plans that comply with the applicable building codes.