Responsibilities of Structural Engineers as Expert Witness

Expert civil engineers in the construction field have great deal of responsibilities in their job. They directly accountable for the management and planning when it comes to construction dams, reservoirs, buildings, railroads, bridges, and highways. Not only do they assist in designing but they also participate in estimating costs, planning, scheduling, obtaining materials, choosing equipment used, and controlling costs.

However, there is a huge difference between an expert consultant and an expert witness. A consultant may be any person whom a client relies on to be especially well-informed and reliable for assisting with the technical sections of a problem. The recognition and work of the expert consultant may or may not be revealed to the other parties in the legal action unless and until it is finally decided that he or she will be an expert witness. This particular decision is made by the legal team based on the opinion hold by the consultants, the legitimacy of that opinion, the strength of his or her expected testimony, and, as the bottom line, the value of the testimony to the accomplishment of the case.

The work of an expert witness engineers is not much different from examining and reporting on any building project. The legal procedures for the examination are similar to that of any other professional work, requiring precision, knowledge and good reasoning capability. Once the engineer is faced up to the rules of the legal profession, he or she must be aware of the additional rules of forensic activities. This does not modify the general procedures for engineering work, but even makes it imperative to know the conduct and performance of an experienced witness.

It is a must that an expert witness engineers must possess work experience, advanced technical degrees, and certifications in many disciplines and sub disciplines as well including Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Welding, and Corrosion. Among other qualifications, expert witnesses must also specialize in:

Identify defects or evidence of maltreatment

Finding out physical, chemical or mechanical of materials

Helping in subrogation claims

Developing protocols for precision evidence analysis

Determining requirement compliance

Giving detailed and impressive deposition and trial testimony

High-end instrumentation and qualified proficiency

Overall, it is believed that the truthful expert witness is the most valuable and necessary professional in the resolution of claims.

PJ Wright & Associates | Hydraulic consultants Specializing in Expert witness engineers, Hydraulic Design Australia, Hydraulics Consultants Perth, Hydraulic Engineers, Western Australia.

Expert Witness Engineers- Expert Opinion Based on Sound Engineering Principles

As defined by the dictionary, an expert witness is a person who has acquired specialization in a subject, often technical or other fields as well, who may present expert views without having been a witness to any incidence relating to the lawsuit or criminal case. It is an exception to the principle against giving an opinion in trial only if, the expert is purely trained by evidence of his/her proficiency, training and special knowledge.
 
In most of the legal cases, expert witness engineers are liable to give unified decision and are critical to the success of your case. Again, in many instances an expert professional can assist by-

Case study of technical facts

Preparing an expert case-specific engineering report supporting the legal issues

Being ousted

Witnessing at court

Civil engineers must utilize their education and experience to plan, intend and supervise the projects of construction site in various industries. Moreover, a civil engineer must examine, devise, plan and assist in the execution of every step of the project. He/she will verify that all official procedures are followed along with the necessary formalities. The responsibility of the project manager is to endorse that the particular design plans are followed. The design of the construction project is done with the incorporation of commonly established engineering standards and practices. A closing report may be prepared showing that how the project was actually built as compared to the plans. Moreover, an engineer can also authoritatively verify the safety measures are being followed throughout the project period. Indeed, the professionals play important role to any construction project but can also be very imperative to any legal representative that is in need of an expert witness.

When seeking for an expert witness engineers, you must seek the assistance of professional expert. In this regard, it is important to look at the experience of your expert witness, whether education or in the field. It is crucial to your case for the expert to have relevant experience. The judge or the opposing side may feel your expert is experienced and qualified or not and you should not waste your time for a non-qualified professional.  An apprentice civil engineer hasn’t acquired that level of proficiency and will probably not have handled many different project situations so far. Also, education alone is not a designation of a good expert. Experience on the job is an essential requirement for an expert witness.

PJ Wright & Associates | Hydraulic consultants Specializing in Expert witness engineers, Hydraulic Design Australia, Hydraulics Consultants Perth, Hydraulic Engineers, Western Australia.

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Water Damage Expert Witness, Stephen Delgado, to Provide Mold Awareness and Prevention Seminar to Commercial and Medical Property Managers and Maintenance Engineers


Tampa, Florida (PRWEB) July 02, 2013

Expert Witness Stephen Delgado recently rolled out his Mold Awareness and Prevention Seminar, which draws on Stephen’s more than 25 years of experience in the water damage restoration and indoor air quality industries. Stephen has seen first hand the perils of ignored excess moisture on building materials. He has performed insurance restorations, flood damage restorations, emergency services, structural drying, and mold-related services on millions of square feet in commercial and medical properties since he began his career in construction. Steve has an established record, offering litigation support to Florida attorneys while serving as Expert Witness, providing legal testimony on indoor air quality claims, construction claims, and large loss insurance or catastrophic property damage claims.

The Awareness and Prevention Seminar is designed for commercial maintenance engineers, property managers, facility managers, private medical practices, hospital administrators, and assisted living community facilitators. The seminar reminds attendees about the health symptoms related to exposure to some fungus and the health risks for infants and the elderly, as well as for immuno-compromised and respiratory-compromised individuals. Stephen teaches how to prevent mold by controlling moisture and humidity and performing regular moisture investigations as part of an ongoing maintenance schedule. During the seminar, attendees review case studies and discuss ethical concerns and risk management to illustrate the benefit of invoking prevention strategies proactively rather than responding retroactively. The seminar shows that it is much less expensive to control moisture and humidity than to pay for mold remediation services and defend against potential lawsuits. During the seminar, Stephen also performs a hands-on moisture investigation for the benefit of Maintenance Engineers who can participate in a question and answer setting. Stephen teaches how to document moisture investigation results and ensure successful drying projects and how to respond to complaints in order to manage risk.

Most Administrators and Property Managers comment after the seminar that they have a renewed understanding – to manage risk, you must manage moisture. Facility Maintenance Engineers leave the seminar with a fresh pair of eyes. All attendees gain understanding of the return on investment of prevention. They realize that skimping on structural drying after a water damage incident, or ignoring moisture, will amplify risk and cause costs to escalate quickly.

More about Coastal Disaster Recovery, Inc.

Stephen Delgado leads Coastal Disaster Recovery, Inc. as one of Tampa’s longest-operating water damage companies. Stephen has been providing services to medical facilities, assisted living communities, hospitals, commercial properties, office buildings, apartment complexes, and residences for over 25 years. Stephen also serves as an expert witness in construction, mold claims, and large loss claims in Florida. Contact Stephen now at 727-725-8999 to discuss how your Commercial and Medical Facility Managers can benefit from Coastal Disaster Recovery’s Awareness and Prevention Seminar.







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