This paper addresses the duties owed by the geotechnical engineer to the other parties to the construction process. It covers the following topics: 1) the parties to whom the geotechnical engineer owes a duty by contract or otherwise, 2) the standardof care owed by the engineer, 3) the liability of the engineer to the construction owner, 4) the liability of the engineer to the contractor, and 5) the nature and extent of the damages for which the engineer may be responsible in the event of liability. With slight variations, the rules applicable to geotechnical engineers are the same as for other technical professionals throughout the common law world. The primary sources for this paper are the North American jurisdictions of the United States and Canada and the European jurisdiction of England. The concepts discussed herein typically also apply in common law Africa, Asia and Oceania.
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