Resilient Infrastructure: When Infrastructure Breaks Down

Infrastructure failures are rarely simple. When failure occurs, attention shifts from anticipating risk to managing consequences. It is that response which shapes legal exposure, stakeholder outcomes and speed of recovery. 

Stabilise the situation

Immediately following an infrastructure failure, the priority is stabilising the situation. One of the first challenges will be handling the grievances of those claiming to be impacted, which are often amplified by the media.

As UK-based head of construction disputes James Doe explains, early finger-pointing is counterproductive. “It shuts everyone down,” he says. “You don’t solve the problem, you just exacerbate the problem. That will only increase losses.”