The Land of Outstretched Palms – Ep.7/S5

The Claims-Free Architect: Unpaid, Then faced a counterclaim for $30M in the Land of Outstretched Palms

Story Arc: What happens when a Canadian architectural firm completes a university project on a Caribbean island, then claims against the client for unpaid fees, only to face criminal allegations and a costly counterclaim? In this episode, political intrigue, corruption and an unexpected election turn a fee dispute into an international legal challenge. Discover how architects can better manage risk when working in foreign jurisdictions.



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Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

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General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

A Sad Tale of Two Architects – Ep.6/S5

The Claims-Free Architect: Their Last Commission Was a Retirement Home. Then Came the $8 Million Claim

Story Arc: What happens when two architects accept a low-fee retirement home commission, only to face an $8 million claim over serious building deficiencies? In this episode, inadequate fees, limited site review and poor construction management create a difficult defence. Discover why architects need clear documentation, continuous professional liability insurance and a succession plan throughout their careers.



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Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Money Matters – Ep.5/S5

The Claims-Free Architect: “A Shambles!”: $1.4 Million in Fees, but the Budget Was Never Shared With the Architect

Story Arc: What happens when a dream resort project moves forward without a documented budget, while the Architect’s hourly fees climb to nearly $1.4 million? In this episode, constant design changes, limited oversight and unreliable time records turn “cost is no object” into a costly dispute. Discover why architects should confirm the project budget, monitor hourly work and keep accurate, current time sheets.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Forwarding In Reverse – Ep.4/S5

The Claims-Free Architect: $2 Million Extra for a Loading Dock That Couldn’t Handle Trucks

Story Arc: What happens when a logistics company hires an architect to modernize its loading docks, only for the entire operation to come to grind to a halt because of a series of design mistakes? In this episode, you’ll discover how overlooked truck requirements and poor coordination turned a routine renovation into a costly disaster, and the hard-earned lessons that can help any project team avoid making the same costly mistakes.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

How to Build a Perfect Bonfire – Ep.3/S5

The Claims-Free Architect: How to build a $1M Bonfire

Story Arc: Can any single oversight turn a proud community building made of local wood and stone into the perfect bonfire? In this story of a remote First Nations school and social centre that burned to ash the day of the grand opening, you’ll discover how cumulative failures in fire safety and emergency response can consume even the most thoughtfully designed structure.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Good Friend. Bad Client. – Ep.2/S5

The Claims-Free Architect: If It Looks Wrong, It Might Be Wrong: An $18M Claim with an Old Friend and No Contract

Story Arc: What happens when an architect designs a building for his old school friend, having no practical knowledge of what holds it up? In this story, a handshake deal and blind trust in a questionable engineer turn a promising office park, into a multi-million-dollar quagmire, showing every architect why even the friendliest clients can lead to the costliest claims.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Tropical Trauma- Ep.1/S5

The Claims-Free Architect: Ontario Architect Destroys the U.S. Plaintiffs’ Case With Mere Facts

Story Arc: What happens when a long-completed condo complex in Florida turns into a nightmarish web of racketeering charges, an arrest warrant, and a probable wedding-day police trap? In this episode, you’ll discover how one residential project nearly cost Nathan Johnstone everything—until an astute legal defense and courtroom proceeding turned the tide, exposing the truth and revealing important lessons every architect must know before working across borders.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Season 5 of The Claims-Free Architect Podcast

Start Listening on September 8, 2026

Have you ever faced a claim that turned your architectural vision into a legal nightmare? Do the hidden risks of your practice haunt you, knowing that a single misstep can jeopardize your reputation and livelihood? What if you could master these risks?

Welcome to Season 5 of The Claims-Free Architect, brought to you by Pro-Demnity Insurance, safeguarding architects for four decades. This podcast will empower you to stay claims-free.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

Inaction Speaks Louder Than Words – Ep.14/S4

The Claims-Free Architect: Pros watch in silence as DIY couple’s hands-on build leads to a costly disaster.

Story Arc: In a lakeside home where client-induced chaos breeds leaky walls, poor construction drowns dreams. Can an architect be liable for staying silent, when not engaged to supervise and coordinate construction? Find out why inaction can cause problems, how putting things in writing shields you, and why clear professional boundaries help to avoid lawsuits. 



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com. 
 

The Flying Doctor – Ep.13/S4

The Claims-Free Architect: How an $18M Claim Collapsed When His Pilot Licence Proved He Could Still Fly

Story Arc: In a parking garage where a doctor slips on uneven stairs, a headlong crash threatens his career. Can an architect be held liable for this costly fall? Learn why stairs can be treacherous, how site reviews can save you, and why a well-researched defense can dismantle dubious claims.



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Captions available on podcast platforms.

Welcome to The Claims-Free Architect, the podcast that helps architects sidestep insurance claims, learning crucial lessons from our 6000+ past insurance claims.

Rebranded from Architects Claims Stories, this podcast is brimming with new situations, predicaments and projects that architects find themselves in and need to extricate themselves from.

Did you know? The Claims-Free Architect podcast is recognized among the best podcasts for Canadian architects!

Did you listen to the podcast? Share your feedback.

Podcast feedback

General disclaimer

The contents of this PDF are derived from a website and offer information for general purposes only. The material presented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for Ontario architects. The information is by necessity generalized and an abridged account of the matters described. It should in no way be construed as legal or insurance advice and should not be relied on as such. Readers are cautioned to refer specific questions to their own lawyer or professional advisors. Efforts have been made to assure accuracy of any referenced material at time of publication; however, no reliance may be placed on such references. Readers must carry out their own due diligence. Professional Liability Insurance provides valuable coverages and benefits however does not cover everything. Please refer to the Policy wordings for specific coverages, benefits, exclusions and limitations. This PDF should not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without written permission of Pro–Demnity Insurance Company. Please contact  mail@prodemnity.com.