I agree with the liability issue.  That is definitely why I charge according to Tax Assessed value for commercial properties and I think there should be more levels to residential searches also.  As far as the missed lien, I would first verify that it was something I should have not missed.  I would check with the clerk to see if any changes were made to this entry in the clerk's records.  I am beginning to decide to pay the few dollars to print the index of my searches - both the grantor/grantee and by the legal for my records of completed searches as I don't think all clerks make note of changes that occur in previously misindexed items.  You see the county is liable for misindexed items and that liablity becomes the counties and they are readily going to be willing to admit to it but counties do get sued and are part of lawsuits.  I agree that a 2,500 lien might not have a payoff value of this face value and should either be more or less according to what has or has not been paid already. 

Robert everything in the industry is tied according to the value - loan officers/brokers get paid according to the amount of the loan, the insurance policies, etc.  Again, if we don't do something, nothing will be done.  I heard they are thinking about setting a fee to abstractors just like title insurance and appraisers in my state - we will see if it happens.