In standard of care, which statement accurately describes the CM's liability?

In standard of care, which statement accurately describes the CM's liability?

• A. The CM is expected to exercise reasonable care and diligence. Failure to perform to this standard of care may expose the CM to liability to the Owner for any damages proximately caused by the CM's breach.
• B. The client ensure that everyone will be safe during the construction work execution.
• C. Only applicable to the contractor not to the Designer and CM.
• D. The CM is not liable at all cost.

Answer: (A)

A construction manager is required to perform services with reasonable care and diligence—the standard a competent CM would apply in similar circumstances. If the CM fails to meet that standard and the breach directly causes damages to the Owner, the CM can be held liable for those damages. This reflects the professional expectation that the CM coordinates design, safety, schedule, cost, and quality for the Owner and must act with the skill and care appropriate to the role. It’s not a blanket safety guarantee, nor is liability limited to others like designers or contractors; and it isn’t true that the CM bears no liability. Therefore, the statement describing the CM as expected to exercise reasonable care and diligence, with liability for damages proximately caused by a breach, is the correct understanding of the CM’s liability.

A construction manager is required to perform services with reasonable care and diligence—the standard a competent CM would apply in similar circumstances. If the CM fails to meet that standard and the breach directly causes damages to the Owner, the CM can be held liable for those damages. This reflects the professional expectation that the CM coordinates design, safety, schedule, cost, and quality for the Owner and must act with the skill and care appropriate to the role. It’s not a blanket safety guarantee, nor is liability limited to others like designers or contractors; and it isn’t true that the CM bears no liability. Therefore, the statement describing the CM as expected to exercise reasonable care and diligence, with liability for damages proximately caused by a breach, is the correct understanding of the CM’s liability.