DP3

DecisionPoint
http://proethica.org/ontology/cases#DecisionPoint

DP3

The residential property owners are identifiable individuals who have already suffered concrete financial harm from insurance claim denials based on falsified reports bearing Engineer A's seal. Does Engineer A bear an independent obligation to directly notify those property owners — beyond notifying the licensing board and enforcement authorities — and does any residual client confidentiality interest in the insurance company engagement limit that notification duty?

Engineer A's obligation to directly notify the residential property owners whose insurance claims were denied based on the falsified reports bearing his seal

Directly notify each identifiable property owner in writing that the reports bearing Engineer A's seal were altered without his knowledge or consent, that the submitted reports do not reflect his professional findings, and that he is taking corrective action — providing sufficient detail for the owners to challenge the insurance denials through legal or regulatory channels

Report the falsification to the state engineering licensure board and enforcement authorities with a full account of the original findings, and rely on those authorities to notify or compel notification of affected property owners through official regulatory channels rather than making direct contact that could interfere with proceedings or expose Engineer A to legal risk

Notify the property owners who have already contacted Engineer A directly — responding to their specific inquiries with a full account of the original findings and the unauthorized alteration — while routing notification of owners who have not yet made contact through the licensing board and enforcement authorities

Engineer A