AIA recognizes the important role of architects in preparing for and responding to disasters. We know that architects—through their education, training, and practice—have a unique skill set that affords them the ability to conduct post-disaster building safety assessments to help those affected by a declared disaster return safely and quickly to their homes and businesses.

Mississippi’s Good Samaritan law was designed to provide liability protection to architects and other licensed professionals who have been called upon to respond during a declared disaster - providing protection from liability resulting from, “personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, or other loss caused by a professional engineer’s acts, errors, or omissions in the performance of voluntary architectural services. Such laws eliminate the liability deterrent that may inhibit architects from providing voluntary services.” However, “the immunity is removed if there is wanton, willful, or intentional misconduct, ensuring protection to those who are using the architectural services.”

Without Good Samaritan laws in place, a licensed architect may be exposed to questions of liability even though he or she is acting in good faith to preserve the safety of a community. While most states have statutes that cover certain volunteers from liability during an emergency situation, it is questionable if these statutes would shield an architect from liability if he or she is called upon to render professional services in a time of crisis. The ambiguity of these situations can be removed through Good Samaritan legislation.

During a disaster, like hurricanes or tornadoes that impact our State, state and local governments may not have the resources to respond adequately to the challenges confronting them. If formally requested by government officials, architects are often willing to volunteer their time and services to assist emergency management officials in assessment and recovery efforts from catastrophes to help ensure the preservation of a community’s health, safety, and welfare.

Contact AIA Mississippi (admin@aiamississippi.org) for additional information.

AIA State Disaster Assistance Coordinator

Scott Eddy

seddy@egh.ms