Standard of Care
Standard of care is the legal benchmark for how a reasonably competent person or professional in the same field would have acted under similar circumstances, and it's the yardstick courts use to decide whether someone was negligent. The Allen Thomas Group ties this concept directly to professional liability and errors and omissions coverage, since most claims against a service business come down to an argument over whether that standard was actually met.
How It's Determined
Courts typically rely on expert testimony, industry norms, licensing board guidelines, and a business's own written procedures or contracts as evidence of what a reasonable practitioner would have done in the same situation.
Standard of Care vs. Ordinary Negligence
For licensed professionals such as contractors, consultants, accountants, or real estate agents, the standard is measured against peers in that specific profession rather than the general public, which sets a higher and more specific bar than the ordinary negligence standard applied to everyday conduct.
Why This Matters
A professional liability or errors and omissions claim usually turns almost entirely on whether the plaintiff can show the standard of care was breached. That makes a business's actual documented process, communications, and decisions the key evidence in defending a claim, which is a strong argument for keeping thorough records in the first place.
How The Allen Thomas Group Can Help You
We'll help you understand exactly how standard of care affects your coverage and cost, then shop your policy across 15+ A-rated carriers to find the right fit.
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