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Doctors and lawyers have long been regarded as "professionals" by our society, due to their special technical skills, education, and practical experience. The nature of their work is such that the public has a high level of trust and expected proficiency of these practitioners.

But professional liability insurance is not only for doctors and lawyers anymore! In prior decades, the definition of a "professional" expanded to include a number of other occupations in which special knowledge, skills, and close client relationships are paramount. Examples of these are accountants, architects, bankers, clergy, engineers, insurance agents, and stockbrokers. More recently, this list has expanded even more. This trend parallels the transformation of American business from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-oriented economy, and now more and more occupations are regarded as professional occupations.

With the well publicized nature of our litigious society, coupled with the expanded base of service businesses, the companies and staff in the service economy are subject to greater exposure to malpractice claims than ever before. Indeed, not only physicians and attorneys are being sued by their clients for malpractice -- many other professionals are now at risk!

A complete roster of the "new" professionals is beyond the scope of this discussion. However, a representative list of service businesses and occupations that fit the current definition follows:

  Advertising Agencies               Collection Agencies
  Computer Consultants               Credit Bureaus
  EDP Companies                      Employment Agencies
  Environmental Consultants          Financial Planners
  Health Clubs                       Home Inspection Companies
  Interior Decorators/Designers      Lawn Care Contractors
  Management Consultants             Marketing Research Firms
  Marriage/Family Counselors         Medical/Testing Labs
  Messenger/Courier Services         Mortgage Bankers/Brokers
  Nurses                             Nursing Homes
  Outplacement Services              Photographers
  Physical Therapists                Printers
  Property Managers                  Public Relations Consultants
  Quality Assurance Consultants      Real Estate Agents/Brokers
  Social Workers	             Software Developers
  Tax Preparers                      Teachers
  Telephone Answering Services       Temporary Employment Agencies
  Training Specialists               Translators
  Travel Agents

(Source:  http://www.coverageglossary.com/pages/profliab.htm)