Policy statement 364 - Prevention of frivolous lawsuits

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class="breadcrumbs-list-item-dropdown"> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps101---appointment-of-engineers-to-policy-positions-in-government">PS101 - Appointment of engineers to policy positions in government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps117---aesthetics">Policy Statement 117 - Aesthetics</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps130---professional-licensure-of-engineers">PS130 - Professional Licensure of Engineers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps131---growth-and-development">PS131 - Growth and Development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps138---engineering-services-for-government-agencies">PS138 - Engineering Services for Government Agencies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps139---public-involvement-in-the-decision-making-process">PS139 - Public Involvement in the Decision Making Process</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps140---civil-engineering-education---a-shared-responsibility">PS140 - Civil engineering education: a shared responsibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps146---relationships-with-engineering-organizations-in-other-countries">PS146 - Relationships with engineering organizations in other countries</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps149---intermodal-transportation-systems">PS149 - Intermodal transportation systems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps162---protection-and-development-of-coastal-resources">PS162 - Protection and development of coastal resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps187---policy-on-research-in-civil-engineering">PS187 - Policy on research in civil engineering</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps208---bridge-safety">PS208 - Bridge safety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps218---improvement-and-maintenance-of-ports-harbors-and-waterways">PS218 - Improvement and maintenance of ports, harbors and waterways</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps243---groundwater-management">PS243 - Groundwater management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps256---alternative-dispute-resolution">PS256 - Alternative dispute resolution</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps262---low-and-intermediate-radioactive-waste-management">PS262 - Low and intermediate radioactive waste management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps275---atmospheric-water-resources-management">PS275 - Atmospheric water resources management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps276---integrated-truck-and-highway-design">PS276 - Integrated truck and highway design</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps280---dam-safety">PS280 - Dam safety </a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps283---periodic-inspection-of-existing-facilities">PS283 - Periodic inspection of existing facilities</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps285---acid-rain">PS285 - Acid rain</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps286---waste-disposal-in-ocean-and-coastal-waters">PS286 - Waste disposal in ocean and coastal waters</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps290---post-construction-drawings-of-civil-engineering-projects">PS290 - Post-construction drawings of civil engineering projects</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps299---infrastructure-investment">PS299 - Infrastructure investment</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps300---media-interaction-following-catastrophic-failures">PS300 - Media interaction following catastrophic failures</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps302---financing-and-cost-sharing-in-water-resources-infrastructure-programs">PS302 - Financing and cost sharing in water resources infrastructure programs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps304---qualifications-based-selection-of-professional-engineers">PS304 - Qualifications-based selection of professional engineers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps305---superfund-reauthorization">PS305 - Superfund reauthorization</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps313---infrastructure-research-and-innovations">PS313 - Infrastructure research and innovations</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps318---professional-liability-and-tort-reform">PS318 - Professional liability and tort reform</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps319---national-institute-of-standards-and-technology">PS319 - National Institute of Standards and Technology</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps325---unrelated-business-income-tax">PS325 - Unrelated business income tax</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps330---coastal-data-collection-program">PS330 - Coastal data collection program</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps331---hazardous-waste-reduction-and-management">PS331 - Hazardous waste reduction and management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps332---water-reuse">PS332 - Water reuse</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps333---engineering-surveying-definition">PS333 - Engineering surveying definition</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps336---national-science-foundation">PS336 - National Science Foundation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps337---water-conservation">PS337 - Water conservation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps348---emergency-plans-for-water-supply">PS348 - Emergency plans for water supply</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps349---dredged-management-for-erosion-control-channel-maintenance-and-coastal-protection">PS349 - Dredged management for erosion control channel maintenance and coastal protection</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps350---construction-site-safety">PS350 - Construction site safety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps351---peer-review">PS351 - Peer review</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps360---climate-change">PS360 - Climate change</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps361---safe-drinking-water">PS361 - Safe drinking water</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps362---comprehensive-pollution-management">PS362 - Comprehensive pollution management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps364---prevention-of-frivolous-lawsuits">PS364 - Prevention of frivolous lawsuits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps365---international-codes-and-standards">PS365 - International codes and standards</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps367---highway-safety">PS367 - Highway safety</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps377---science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics---stem---education">PS377 - Science technology engineering and mathematics education</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps378---national-wetlands-regulatory-policy">PS378 - National wetlands regulatory policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps382---transportation-funding">PS382 - Transportation funding</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps385---licensure-requirements-for-government-engineers">PS385 - Licensure requirements for government engineers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps386---recruitment-and-retention-of-qualified-engineers-for-government-service">PS386 - Recruitment and retention of qualified engineers for government service</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps388---warranty-and-guarantee-clauses-for-professional-engineering-service-contracts">PS388 - Warranty and guarantee clauses for professional engineering service contracts</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps389---mitigating-the-impacts-of-natural-and-human-induced-disasters">PS389 - Mitigating the impacts of natural and human-induced disasters</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps390---earthquake-hazards-mitigation">PS390 - Earthquake hazards mitigation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps393---post-public-sector-employment">PS393 - Post public sector employment</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps395---combined-sewer-systems">PS395 - Combined sewer systems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps400---design-build-procurement">PS400 - Design-build procurement</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps402---high-speed-and-intercity-passenger-rail">PS402 - High-speed and intercity passenger rail</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps403---consultation-on-environmental-regulations">PS403 - Consultation on environmental regulations</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps404---endorsement-of-infrastructure-projects">PS404 - Endorsement of infrastructure projects</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps407---desalination">PS407 - Desalination</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps408---planning-and-management-for-droughts">PS408 - Planning and management for droughts</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps409---weather-data-collection">PS409 - Weather data collection</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps416---government-engineering-management-positions">PS416 - Government engineering management positions</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps417---justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion">PS417 - Justice equity diversity and inclusion</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps418---the-role-of-the-civil-engineer-in-sustainable-development">PS418 - The role of the civil engineer in sustainable development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps420---clean-water-act-reauthorization">PS420 - Clean Water Act reauthorization</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps421---floodplain-management">PS421 - Floodplain management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps422---watershed-management">PS422 - Watershed management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps424---crane-safety-on-construction-sites">PS424 - Crane safety on construction sites</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps425---continuing-professional-development-for-licensure">PS425 - Continuing professional development for licensure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps427---regulatory-process-for-infrastructure-development">PS427 - Regulatory process for infrastructure development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps429---municipal-wastewater-biosolids">PS429 - Municipal wastewater biosolids</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps431---quality-management-system-standards">PS431 - Quality management system standards</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps432---licensure-examinations">PS432 - Licensure examinations</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps434---transportation-trust-funds">PS434 - Transportation trust funds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps436---incorporating-bicycle-facilities-into-transportation-systems">PS436 - Incorporating bicycle facilities into transportation systems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps437---risk-management">PS437 - Risk management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps438---endangered-species-act-reauthorization">PS438 - Endangered Species Act reauthorization</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps439---design-competition">PS439 - Design competition</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps441---stormwater-management">PS441 - Stormwater management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps443---indemnification-for-pro-bono-service">PS443 - Indemnification for pro bono service</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps444---the-role-of-the-federal-government-in-civil-engineering-research-and-development">PS444 - The role of the federal government in civil engineering research and development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps445---aviation-transportation-program">PS445 - Aviation transportation program</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps447---hydrologic-data-collection">PS447 - Hydrologic data collection</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps450---state-licensure-boards-for-professional-engineers">PS450 - State licensure boards for professional engineers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps451---life-cycle-cost-analysis">PS451 - Life-cycle cost analysis</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps452---investing-in-americas-schools">PS452 - Investing in Americas schools</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps453---federal-capital-budgeting">PS453 - Federal capital budgeting</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps454---intelligent-transportation-systems">PS454 - Intelligent transportation systems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps455---research-and-development-tax-credits">PS455 - Research and development tax credits</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps456---incentives-for-implementing-construction-innovation">PS456 - Incentives for implementing construction innovation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps460---the-role-of-non-profit-educational-organizations-in-the-public-sector">PS460 - The role of non-profit educational organizations in the public sector</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps461---non-point-source-pollution">PS461 - Non-point source pollution</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps463---history-and-heritage">PS463 - History and heritage</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps464---professional-licensure-mobility">PS464 - Professional licensure mobility</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps471---aviation-infrastructure-research">PS471 - Aviation infrastructure research</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps472---critical-remote-sensing-information">PS472 - Critical remote sensing information</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps480---water-infrastructure-and-facilities-construction-funding">PS480 - Water infrastructure and facilities construction funding</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps482---harmful-algal-blooms-and-hypoxia-program">PS482 - Harmful algal blooms and hypoxia program</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps484---electricity-generation-and-transmission-infrastructure">PS484 - Electricity generation and transmission infrastructure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps485---revitalization-of-brownfields">PS485 - Revitalization of brownfields</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps488---greenhouse-gases">PS488 - Greenhouse gases</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps489---energy-policy">PS489 - Energy policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps491---high-level-nuclear-waste-management">PS491 - High-level nuclear waste management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps492---use-of-electronic-signatures-and-seals">PS492 - Use of electronic signatures and seals</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps493---infrastructure-resilience-research">PS493 - Infrastructure resilience research</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps494---public-transportation">PS494 - Public transportation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps495---operations-and-management-of-transportation-systems">PS495 - Operations and management of transportation systems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps496---innovative-financing-for-transportation-projects">PS496 - Innovative financing for transportation projects</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps497---surface-transportation-research-funding">PS497 - Surface transportation research funding</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps498---coastal-wetlands">PS498 - Coastal wetlands</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps499---emergency-preparedness-and-response">PS499 - Emergency preparedness and response</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps500---resilient-infrastructure-initiatives">PS500 - Resilient infrastructure initiatives</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps502---professional-ethics-and-conflict-of-interest">PS502 - Professional ethics and conflict of interest</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps503---parks-and-recreation-infrastructure">PS503 - Parks and recreation infrastructure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps504---rehabilitation-of-historic-bridges">PS504 - Rehabilitation of historic bridges</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps506---building-engineering-capacity-in-developing-countries">PS506 - Building engineering capacity in developing countries</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps507---restoring-and-maintaining-beaches">PS507 - Restoring and maintaining beaches</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps508---sole-source-workers-compensation-statute">PS508 - Sole source workers compensation statute</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps509---provision-of-engineering-services-across-state-and-international-boundaries">PS509 - Provision of engineering services across state and international boundaries</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps510---combating-bribery-fraud-and-corruption">PS510 - Combating bribery, fraud, and corruption</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps511---levee-safety">PS511 - Levee safety </a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps512---space-infrastructure">PS512 - Space infrastructure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps516---municipal-solid-waste-management">PS516 - Municipal solid waste management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps517---united-nations-sustainable-development-goals">PS517 - United Nations' sustainable development goals</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps518---unified-definitions-for-critical-infrastructure-resilience">PS518 - Unified definitions for critical infrastructure resilience</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps519---peer-review-of-water-resources-projects">PS519 - Peer review of water resources projects</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps521---rail-infrastructure-investment">PS521 - Rail infrastructure investment</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps522---regional-sediment-management">PS522 - Regional sediment management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps524---advanced-credentialing-within-the-civil-engineering-profession">PS524 - Advanced credentialing within the civil engineering profession</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps525---model-building-codes">PS525 - Model building codes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps526---public-private-partnerships">PS526 - Public Private Partnerships</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps527---recycling-of-electronic-wastes">PS527 - Recycling of electronic wastes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps528---high-performance-buildings">PS528 - High-performance buildings</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps530---windstorm-impact-mitigation">PS530 - Windstorm impact mitigation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps532---national-infrastructure-bank">PS532 - National Infrastructure Bank</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps533---offshore-facilities-development">PS533 - Offshore facilities development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps535---defining-the-civil-engineering-team">PS535 - Defining the civil engineering team</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps536---emergency-responder-legislation">PS536 - Emergency responder legislation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps537---complete-streets">PS537 - Complete Streets</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps538---publication-of-publicly-funded-research">PS538 - Publication of publicly funded research</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps539---hydraulic-fracturing">PS539 - Hydraulic fracturing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps541---post-disaster-reconstruction-of-infrastructure">PS541 - Post-disaster reconstruction of infrastructure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps542---application-of-prevailing-wages-to-professional-survey-crews">PS542 - Application of prevailing wages to professional survey crews</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps543---performance-based-ownership-of-infrastructure">PS543 - Performance-based methodology for owners of infrastructure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps545---flood-risk-management">PS545 - Flood risk management</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps546---freight-mobility">PS546 - Freight mobility</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps547---engineering-experience-for-professional-licensure">PS547 - Engineering experience for professional licensure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps548---connected-and-autonomous-vehicles">PS548 - Connected and autonomous vehicles</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps549---unmanned-aircraft-systems">PS549 - Unmanned aircraft systems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps550---role-of-science-and-engineering-research-in-government">PS550 - Role of science and engineering research in government</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps551---visas-and-national-security">PS551 - Visas and national security</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps552---vision-zero">PS552 - Vision Zero</a> </li> <li> <a 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href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps562---national-environmental-policy-act">PS562 - National Environmental Policy Act</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps564---broadband">PS564 - Broadband</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps565---cybersecurity-and-infrastructure-security">PS565 - Cybersecurity and infrastructure security</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps566---infrastructure-facilities-for-electric-vehicles">PS566 - Infrastructure facilities for electric vehicles</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps567---energy-research-and-development">PS567 - Energy research and development</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps568---fulfilling-the-civil-engineering-body-of-knowledge-for-responsible-charge-of-civil-engineering">PS568 - Fulfilling the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge for Responsible Charge of Civil Engineering</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps569---risk-informed-design">PS569 - Risk-informed design</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps570---environmental-justice">PS570 - Environmental justice</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps571---energy-production-and-generation">PS571 - Energy production and generation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps572---energy-storage-systems">PS572 - Energy storage systems</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps573---artificial-intelligence-and-engineering-responsibility">PS573 - Artificial intelligence and engineering responsibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps574---educational-requirements-for-licensure">PS574 - Educational requirements for licensure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps575---nature-based-solutions">PS575 - Nature-based solutions</a> </li> <li> <a href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps576---civil-infrastructure-and-the-water-energy-food-nexus">PS576 - Civil infrastructure and the water-energy-food nexus</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="breadcrumbs-list-item"> <a class="breadcrumbs-list-item-link " href="/advocacy/policy-statements/ps364---prevention-of-frivolous-lawsuits"> PS364 - Prevention of frivolous lawsuits </a> </li> </ul> </nav>  </div> </div>  <div class="detail-layout"> <div class="detail-content"> <div class="content-wrapper"> <div class="hero-content"> </div> <article class="main-content">  <section class="rich-text wysiwyg-content"> <div class="rich-text-inner"> <p>Approved by the Engineering Practice Policy Committee on February 9, 2023<br /> Approved by the Public Policy and Practice on Committee on April 19, 2023<br /> Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 22, 2023</p> <h3>Policy</h3> <p>The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports the adoption of Certificates/Affidavits of Merit laws/statutes to reduce frivolous lawsuits against licensed professional engineers along with the adoption of specified time periods during which such Certifications/Affidavits must be served. ASCE encourages and supports legislation that requires a tort plaintiff, prior to instituting a lawsuit against a professional engineer, to obtain an opinion to a reasonable degree of professional/engineering certainty regarding the validity of the plaintiff’s underlying tort claim from a professional engineer or engineering company who is:</p> <ul> <li>Knowledgeable regarding the standard of care of the engineering discipline related to the professional services provided by the defendant.</li> <li>Duly licensed: within the same governing jurisdiction as the venue of the lawsuit; as appropriate for the location(s) where the professional services rendered relate to the lawsuit; or as appropriate for the location(s) of the project related to the professional services rendered.</li> </ul> <h3>Issue</h3> <p>Lawsuits may name a professional engineer or engineering company as a party and allege that the professional engineering services provided violated the standard of care, even in the absence of a credible claim of negligence. Regardless of the lack of merit in such cases, the professional engineer or engineering company named as a party must still respond to the lawsuit and, in doing so, must expend resources which may not be recoverable. Frivolous lawsuits impose a time and cost burden on the court system tasked with administering these claims and may delay the resolution of cases that have reasonable merit and where negligence may be appropriately assigned to a professional engineer or engineering company.</p> <h3>Rationale</h3> <p>Certificate/Affidavits of Merit laws/statutes require that attorneys for a plaintiff, prior to filing a lawsuit, provide written certification from an impartial, appropriately licensed professional engineer, with knowledge of the applicable standard of care for the professional services provided by the defendant, that there is reasonable cause for the complaint. Such statutes mitigate the need for engineers and engineering companies to expend resources that may not be recoverable even in the absence of a credible claim of negligence and provide a means to identify those instances where allegations are determined to have reasonable merit and where negligence may reasonably be assigned to the engineer or engineering company. Furthermore, the specification of time periods during which such Certificates/Affidavits must be provided precludes tort plaintiffs from seeking to add a professional engineer or engineering company as parties in a litigation indefinitely, thereby also limiting the expense of uncompensated resources where negligence has not been appropriately assigned or substantiated.</p> <p>ASCE Policy Statement 364<br /> First Approved in 1990</p> </div> </section>  <div class="tags"> <div class="tags-inner"> <div class="tags-content"> <ul> <li><a href="/search?#sort=relevancy&f:topicsflat=[Professional+Liability]">Professional Liability</a></li> <li><a href="/search?#sort=relevancy&f:topicsflat=[Public+Policy%2c+Laws+%26+Regulation]">Public Policy, Laws & Regulation</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  <aside class="social-share"> <div class="social-share-title">Share</div> <ul class="social-share-services"> <li><a data-service="facebook" href="#"><span class="sr-text">Share on 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Policy statement 364 - Prevention of frivolous lawsuits | ASCE