Power Lines (Tree Contact) Expert Witnesses

Daniel J. Maple, BCMA, RCA, MA, TRAQ, is a Registered Consulting Arborist, Board Certified Master Arborist, ISA Municipal Specialist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, and holds a Commercial Applicators License. As of August 2017, there are 284 RCAs, 698 BCMAs, and 884 MSs in the world. Mr. Maple has the distinction of having all of these qualifications as well as others. With over 30 years of industry experience, Mr. Maple has provided ethical, scientific sound arboriculture solutions to both the public and private sector. During this time, Mr. Maple owned and operated a tree service, and was a first responder in several natural disasters that resulted in thousands of tree failures. His investigations into the tree failures and the experience gained makes him uniquely qualified among his peers as a risk assessor and risk mitigation planner. Mr. Maple has used his years of hands on experience along with his formal education to advise states, cities, parks, developers, managers, HOAs and the private sector. Litigation Support - As an expert witness, Daniel J. Maple is well respected for his ability to document evidence, superior communication skills, forensic investigations, and pragmatism. He is articulate and knowledgeable under cross-examination. Mr. Maple's services are available to attorneys representing both plaintiff and defendant. Areas of Expertise:

View Daniel Maple's Consulting Profile.

Brosz & Associates are Electrical Experts headed by President and C.E.O., Professor Helmut G. Brosz, B.A.Sc., D.B.A., F.A.A.F.S., P. ENG., Adjunct Professor at Ryerson University, Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of Toronto. They provide a wide range of highly specialized Forensic Science and Engineering, Accident Reconstruction, Testing, Commissioning, and Technical and Scientific Services. 

Brosz & Associates staff of specialists and experts have completed over 5,200 assignments since 1970 ranging from electrical accidents and electrocutions to electrical power system investigation and testing of equipment failures including circuit breakers, motors, switchgear, generators, transformers and appliances. Their engineering facilities allow them to perform in-depth research, electrical testing, forensic laboratory testing, microscopy, macro photography and photographic documentation, X-Ray testing, infrared testing, high voltage testing, high current testing and more. Most of their testing equipment is portable and they are also capable of producing professional collages and scale models for reports, mediations, depositions and trial. Clients include insurance companies, legal firms, adjusters, risk managers, manufacturers, contractors, utilities, governments and individuals. 

Services Include:

• Cause and Origin Investigations
• Failure Analysis
• Loss Prevention and Mitigation
• Subrogation Support for the Insurance Industry
• Electrical Safety and Accident Prevention

• Storm hardening electric transmission and distribution systems to quantitatively manage tree-caused service interruptions
• Advise and develop protocols for assessments of power line tree exposure and mitigation
• Advise on least cost vegetation management by synchronizing economics and ecology
• Advise on impacts of vegetation management program alternatives, modifications
• Provide context for vegetation management, greenhouse gas mitigation measures in a competitive energy market
• Facilitate for management, staff, contractors and stake holders an actionable understanding of ecological principles and their impacts on vegetation management needs and costs
• Provide project management; expert review of programs and proposals
• Develop and advise on quantification, monitoring and verification of biotic greenhouse gas mitigation measures

A Licensed Professional Engineer in 11 states, John Averrett specializes in electrical shock/electrocution, utilities, lightning strikes, and grounding cases involving death, personal injury, industrial equipment failure, vehicular accidents, fire cause/origin, contract, and construction disputes. 

Areas of practice include: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas; other states by comity. 

John Averrett is Executive Vice President of Goodwyn Mills & Cawood headquartered in Montgomery, AL. He has more than 25 years' experience in plan development for governmental, municipal, industrial and commercial clients and is currently coordinating a group of twelve other electrical engineers and designers. In addition to his design efforts, Mr. Averrett's experience includes work with electric utilities that includes transmission, sub-stations, and distribution; work with investigating lightning strikes; work with investigating grounding insufficiencies; and work analyzing and providing solutions for arc flash hazards.

Litigation Support - Mr. Averrett offers expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant. He provides site review, thorough reporting, deposition, and trial testimony as needed nationwide.