While the term "professional" previously was reserved
for lawyers, doctors, accountants, architects, and perhaps clergy,
the court system and insurance companies have expanded the term to
include certain service providers, including individuals who
provide a service in the IT field. According to Robert A. Stines, a
member of the Litigation Practice Group and Emerging Technologies
Industry Team, there is huge pressure on IT
"professionals" to provide faster, better and more
reliable services. And, similar to how customers and clients sue
their attorneys and doctors, litigation against those who provide
IT services may soon become more common. For IT professionals sued
for negligence, the question becomes what would a reasonably
careful IT specialist do? Mr. Stines' article on this topic,
"Professional Liability in Information Technology," was
published Oct. 11 by the technology and enterprise news website for
IT professionals, IT Business Net.
