As a result, the AIA supports liability reform to minimize these potential adverse effects on the architectural profession. Furthermore, the inherent uncertainty in jury verdicts and damage awards leaves architects in a precarious legal position and subject to possible excessive damage awards. Because of this murky area of the law, the AIA supports liability reform to curb unnecessary litigation. Caps or restrictions on punitive damages, reform of personal injury or property damage, or assessing liability by degree of fault may serve to limit frivolous lawsuits. The ADA is designed to facilitate the accessibility of public spaces to physically challenged individuals.
Architects are strong supporters of safety and utility of public buildings and structures.
In addition, the AIA will continue to push for clearer definitions of requirements under the Act, as well as advocate for the implementation of nationally recognized codes and standards. Limit Product Liability Architects are also in danger of being held liable for issues that arise simply by providing architectural services. For example, architects may be held accountable for the malfunction of installed products that are susceptible to the Y2K bug, or subject to claims stemming from services provided after a natural disaster or other unforeseen event. To that extent, the AIA supports initiatives limiting liability for architects when providing architectural services. Architects' Concern Architects demand worker safety and the protection of the general public, and demand adequate protections the beneficiaries of those services.