tailieunhanh - Everything Private to Business Organization and Basic Investigative Skill_8

Tham khảo tài liệu 'everything private to business organization and basic investigative skill_8', khoa học xã hội, kinh tế chính trị phục vụ nhu cầu học tập, nghiên cứu và làm việc hiệu quả | Chapter 17 INVESTIGATOR LIABILITY Reginald J. Montgomery For many private investigators talking about liability seems as meaningful as watching paint dry. Some dismiss it out of hand others brush it off saying I have insurance. Most investigators came from law enforcement the military or other governmental backgrounds where they were protected from personal liability. In the private sector however liability is a real issue-one that can dramatically affect each and every private investigator. Under the American legal system any person can be sued for any reason. Technically there is a rule against frivolous lawsuits but it is rarely imposed. In fact there are numerous examples of neighbors su -ing each other simply out of harassment. When litigation is turned on investigators however the tide changes. Private investigators sell themselves and their skills knowledge contacts expertise and most importantly integrity. When that integrity is challenged it costs time effort energy and money to defend. To protect themselves from liability many investigators purchase insurance. Is that enough Actively choosing what services to offer what clients to work for and which of each to avoid will have a greater impact on liability than will the presence or absence of insurance. This chapter will explore the risks private investigators face explore options for managing these risks and provide recommendations for minimizing exposure. 219 220 Basic Private Investigation WHERE WE ARE TODAY Today private investigators are involved in almost all aspects of legal and business processes. As the profession has grown and matured professionals have replaced cowboys. The retired part-timers who once dominated the ranks are now outnumbered by full-timers. In the early 1900s only New York licensed investigators. Today more than forty states recognize that private investigators are a specialized function and require various combinations of licensing experience and continuing education. The .