Everyone should be looking for them if they fall within the search parameters of the work ordered by the client. Our firm always takes a search back at least to the last valid warranty deed given for value and at arm's length. If peculiarities arise in the course of the search we would go back further.

In Connecticut the liability of the abstractor for the search is defined by the scope of the contract for both contract law and the tort of negligence. The plaintiff would have the option of asserting either or  both as alternate claims in his complaint. Both have differing statutes of limitations...written or implied contract 6 years...oral contract 3 years...negligence 2 years for the individual and 3 years for an attorney....an attorney's title certifications run much longer.

If sued for contract breach in Connecticut the scope of the work ordered would be that upon which the abstractor was contractually obligated to perform, and the scope of duty owed for purposes of negligence would be established by the contract. If sued for negligence the issue would be whether the abstractor 's perfomance rose to the level of a reasonable abstractor in meeting the requirements of the duty owed.