Professional liability
Professional liability is a professional's legal responsibility to clients, and sometimes to others, for losses caused by failing to meet the standard of care of a reasonably competent member of that profession. The term also refers to the insurance professionals carry to cover such claims.
How BC law treats it
Civil liability arises in negligence, contract and fiduciary duty. Regulatory statutes, such as the Professional Governance Act, SBC 2018, c 47 for engineers and geoscientists, govern licensing and discipline rather than compensation.
What it means for your business
When hiring professionals, confirm their insurance and review any limitation of liability clause in their engagement letter.
Risks and common mistakes
Accepting a professional's liability cap without noticing it can leave your business with little recovery after a costly error.
For the full explanation, see our entry on Professional negligence.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
