Of course, the noose is still there. . . Engineers responding to the 1999 survey were of the opinion that liability and lawsuit threats have become a mite less threatening on the innovation front although, all in all, these threats are still a major pain. While this year s survey drew a better response than in 1998 with 933 members completing the form vs. 622 last year the amount of work reported to be turned down due to liability threats is at its lowest point over the past four years. Each year, ACEC asks member firms to complete the nearly 70-item insurance and litigation survey. Questions target the member s real-world experience.
Respondents are a representative sample of a cross-section of engineering firms.
Findings are used by ACEC member firms, risk-management professionals, and advocates of national and state tort reform. Respondents represent a statistically representative cross-section of engineering firms with various firm sizes and disciplines represented. Only a portion of the overall survey results is presented here. While the good news is minor relief, there are still many challenges facing engineering firms reflected in the data. Statistics can be reflective of real life.