#89 - Case History - Don't Rush Go Along to Get Along. Don't Get Bullied
GBA has published over 100 case histories based on real-life events that have happened to geoprofessional firms. GBA Case Histories are unique because our members share real-life stories of problems that impacted their businesses. They also include the outcomes of corrective action, and lessons learned.
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Show Notes
GBA Case History Series – Case History #89 - Don't Rush Go Along to Get Along. Don't Get Bullied
Summary
A GBA Member Firm’s scope of services included a geotechnical engineering study and construction materials engineering and testing (COMET) services for a medical office building in area with old fill, expansive soil, and shale. During construction, the Member Firm was discouraged (“if we want your opinion we will ask for it”) from making suggestions and was only responsible “to enforce the plans and specifications as written and recommend alternative approaches only if specifically requested to do so.” A few months after construction ended, sidewalks began to move due to frost heave. The Member Firm and constructor in charge got the blame, which eventually led to mediation. The client’s former project engineer “spoke highly” of the Member Firm, which got them released from the litigation.
Our Hosts:
- Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants
Elizabeth is the Principal Geotechnical Engineer at JLT Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.
- Tim Rodriguez – COO/BSK Associates
Tim is the Chief Operating Officer of Geoprofessional Services at BSK Associates, an employee-owned engineering firm. With over 30 years in materials testing and inspection, he oversees six Northern California offices and chairs BSK's Board of Directors. Tim is Past-President of the California Council of Testing and Inspection Agencies.
Lessons Learned:
- A Limitation-of-Liability Provision Is Essential
- Don’t Use Two Contracts When One Will Do
- Understand the Personalities Involved: Use Personal Diplomacy
- Don’t “Go Along to Get Along”
- Know the Limits of Your Authority to Deviate from the Plans and Specifications
- Professional Performance Is Essential
- Document
Calls-to-action:
- Download Case History #82
- Visit the following link to access all of GBA’s Case Histories: https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/
- An account is required to download the individual Case Histories, which are free for GBA Member Firms.
- Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
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- Contact us at [email protected] with any podcast-related questions or comments
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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:
- Tim Rodriguez – COO/BSK Associates
- Elizabeth Brown, PE - Principal Geotechnical Engineer/JLT Consultants
- Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex Companies, LLC