Source: Professional Underwriters Agency (PUA)

A civil engineering firm that provided professional services for a highway improvement project was named as a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit concerning a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on the highway. While the civil  engineering firm’s liability was vigorously contested, following discovery and as the matter approached trial, it became  clear that a jury could potentially find the firm partially liable for the death and could be subject to a massive award of  damages. Accordingly, the lawsuit was settled globally prior to trial for nearly $5 million. Of that amount, the firm’s  contribution to the global settlement was approximately $550,000.