Restoration - Fire / Water / Mold Expert Witnesses: 23

Jeffrey Phillip Weinstein, AIA, a California licensed Architect since 1982, with Masters Degree in Real Estate Development from USC, has been involved in the development, design and construction of office buildings, high-rise condominiums, multi-family residential podium-type projects, retail, neighborhood shopping centers and regional malls, hotels and resorts, hospitals, and schools (K-12 and University).

Expert in real estate development, government approvals, entitlements & permits, architect's standard of care, construction management, claims & defects, A/E/C agreements. Expertise includes building envelope & water intrusion, zoning & building codes, errors/omissions, destructive testing & repair, schools (DSA), hospitals (OSHPD), condominiums, commercial/retail/mixed-use projects, high-rise structures, hotels & resorts. Previous employers include Nadel and Callison Architects, Tishman Construction, Trammel Crow Company, Kaiser Permanente, and California State University.

Professional Licenses / Certifications / Affiliations:

• California Registered Architect, License #12822
• Member, American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, Construction Specification Institute, and Society for Marketing Professional Services
• Member, North Santa Barbara County Board of Architectural Review

Litigation Support: Jeffrey Weinstein has been retained as an expert witness as Owner's Representative, Construction Manager, Contract Administrator, Project Manager and Architect by Developers, Builders, Institutional Owners (Hospitals & Schools), Municipalities, and Corporate Clients. Mr. Weinstein provides professional Architectural and Construction Expert Witness opinion, testimony and services on matters, such as:

Architectural Forensic Architectural Construction Management Building Code Requirements Construction Industry Standards Professional Standard of Care Design Defects, Errors & Omissions

Construction Defects & Failures Architectural Practice & Peer Review Construction Claim Evaluation Change Order Analysis & Cost Overruns Zoning Entitlements, Land-Use, and Permitting Project Delivery - Fast-Track, Design-Build, GMP Design & Construction Accident Claims

View Jeffrey P. Weinstein's Consulting Profile.

Ronald Tyson is a Building and Premises Expert in the construction business for over 45 years.  He has years of hands on experience in the individual trades as a tradesman, subcontractor and general contractor.  

Mr. Tyson has been a Michigan licensed builder since 1967 and has functioned as a general contractor and provided supervisory tasks for Tyson Enterprises, Incorporated and other contractors on all types of industrial, public, commercial and residential construction projects since 1963. He is a member of numerous building code and standard authorities, including but not limited to IBC [BOCA, UBC] NFPA, IAEI, NAHB, etc.

Mr. Tyson's experience and expertise can help clients with contracts, safety, and other obligations as they may affect project control of contractors and/or project managers.  He can advise on the duties in new and remodeling construction and maintenance required by the premises owner.

Litigation Support - Mr. Tyson has served the legal community as a Construction Expert Witness for 35 years. He has worked for both plaintiff and defendant attorneys. He is available to perform onsite inspections, research, review litigation matters, makes drawings, interview litigants, and provides evidence for court, including correct building code and life safety statutes and standards as they may affect personal injury claims, construction, contracts, etc. and causation.  Mr. Tyson has never been disqualified in over 200 times in court.

Areas of Expertise:

Building Codes Construction Life Safety Standards OSHA & MIOSHA Claims ADA Claims Premises Liability Foreseeability Building Mold

Faulty Construction Latent Building Defects Failure to Disclose Personal Injury Manufactured Housing Condominium Claims Breach of Contract

 

Hamid K. Toossi, BSCE, MBA, EIT, M ASCE, TAI's founder and CEO, has over 35 years of academic and hands-on experience in the design, build, and management of heavy Civil and Commercial Construction projects.

Mr. Toossi's experience includes Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling, Engineering, Construction Management, Contract Administration, Cost Estimating, Value Engineering, Claims Analysis, and Expert Services for Construction Claims and Contract Disputes, in the United States as well as overseas.

Mr. Toossi has participated in numerous Continuing Professional Education courses, both as an instructor, and as an auditor, in Contract Law, Construction Law, Business Law, Leadership, Management, Engineering, Construction Management, and Construction Claims. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the founding member of the American Society of MBA Executives.

Litigation Support: Hamid K. Toossi offers expert witness services to law firms representing both plaintiff and defendant. His services include written reports, depositions, arbitration, mediation, and trial testimony as needed. He has been involved in numerous Construction Claim cases including:

• Testimony before the American Arbitration Association in connection with a GC bond claim against a surety insurance company and counter claim by insurance company for fraudulent inducement and wrongful termination etc.
• Testimony before the circuit court, in Fairfax, VA, in areas of concrete construction materials and methods in connection with a water reclamation facility construction project in Ashburn, VA.
• Prepared testimony as part of litigation before the United States Court of Federal Claims in areas of Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling, delay, disruption and loss of productivity, in connection with design and construction of two submarine decompression chambers for US Naval Facilities Engineering Command

Areas of Expertise:

Concrete and Concrete Construction Critical Path Method (CPM) Construction Acceleration Claims Construction Defects CPM Scheduling Scheduling Delay & Analysis

Construction Claims Construction Delays Forensic Evaluation Construction Disputes Concrete/ Foundations Proof of Damages Calculation

View TAI's Consulting Profile.

The Falcon Group consists of Forensic Architects and Engineers who consult on construction claims. We provide claims consulting for: Construction Defects, Architectural Standard of Care, Delay, Errors and Omissions (E&O), Building Codes, Specifications and costs. The Falcon group has Professional Engineers, Registered Architects, Roofing Experts, Stucco Experts, EIFS Experts, and Building Envelope Experts. We perform dispute resolution and prepare expert reports for a wide range of construction issues. Litigation sometimes becomes necessary to resolve construction, engineering, architectural or materials-related disputes. For virtually any type of property or project, we provide a variety of analytic and related services to assist clients in obtaining successful litigation outcomes, related to:

Developer Transition Expert Witness/Professional Testimony Material Defect Claims Construction Defect Reports and Claims Construction Litigation Support and Documentation Education

Municipalities Banks Commercial Property Managers Insurance Companies Attorneys Private Property Owners

Professional Services Provided Include:

Design Plans and Specifications Forensic Engineering Litigation Support Construction Administration and Inspection Specialty Services for Community Associations

Land Surveying Civil Engineering Architectural Engineering Construction and Material Testing Architectural Services Property Condition Assessment (PCA) Reports

Litigation Support - Litigation sometimes becomes necessary to resolve construction, engineering, architectural or materials-related disputes. For virtually any type of property or project, we provide a variety of analytic and related services to assist clients in obtaining successful litigation outcomes, related to:

• Developer Transition
• Construction Defect Reports and Claims
• Material Defect Claims
• Expert Witness/Professional Testimony
• Construction Litigation Support and Documentation

View Falcon Group's Consulting Profile.

Ted Merrill has over 68 years of experience that includes all phases of Construction and Damage Repair. Mr. Merrill has 50  years of experience in Estimating and Reconstruction of buildings damaged by Fire, Wind, Water, Motor Vehicles, Earth Movement, and Construction Defects.

Mr. Merrill has held positions ranging from laborer, apprentice carpenter, carpenter, superintendent, estimator, and general contractor. He has contracted with federal and state governments, local cities, school districts, insurance companies, and individual owners of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. 

Litigation Support - Ted Merrill has testified as an expert in Municipal, Superior, and Federal courts. His services are available to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant and include site review, thorough investigations and reports, depositions, arbitration, and trial testimony as needed. 

Construction Areas of Expertise:

Building / House Repairs Floors & Flooring Cabinets Foundation Movement Construction Contracting Foundation Repair Construction Defects Framing Stair and Stairways

Construction Disputes Installation Construction Estimates Molding/Paneling Decks Residential Finish Carpentry Decay and Defects

AVAILABLE NATIONALLY
CERTIFIED RESTORERS * CERTIFIED INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS *
CERTIFIED MICROBIAL REMEDIATION SUPERVISORS * CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL INFECTION CONTROL CONSULTANT * CERTIFIED STRUCTURAL DRYING SUPERVISOR * CERTIFIED INFRARED THERMOGRAPHERS *
IICRC CERTIFIED MASTERS * LIC. GENERAL CONTRACTORS #299472

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE

 Brian Spiegel and David Spiegel offer expert testimony and consulting services regarding smoke, water, fire, mold contamination property damage restoration, reconstruction, and construction defect related problems. Both have been speakers nationally and internationally on property damage restoration, construction, and mold contamination related topics. In the past at the Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB) national mold symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina and at the Forensics Consultants Association on toxic mold litigation and mold remediation in Newport Beach, California. In the media, Brian and David have written articles for industry trade magazines and given television and radio interviews, including one with Brian on ABC TV “Good Morning America” featuring a segment on mitigating water damage. 

CONSULTANTS AND EXPERT WITNESS

Mold & Bacterial Contamination Construction Defects Fire & Smoke Damage Industry Standards of Care

Structural Damages Water Damage Sewage Backflow Flooring Forensics

EXPERT SERVICES

Property Damage Contractor Inspections & Formal Reports Cause and Origin Investigations Smoke Particulate Testing Property Insurance Claims Testing

Detailed Construction Estimates Cost Damage Appraisals at Current Industry Pricing Litigation Support Infrared Structural Inspections Concrete Moisture Testing

PROPERTY DAMAGE ASSESSORS

• Residential and Commercial
• Appraisal Process: Appraisers & Umpires
• Contents and Structure

John D. Shepherd, RRC, RRO, founder of Shepherd Consulting Services, a division of Shepherd Roof Consulting, has been actively involved in the Roofing and Construction Industry for over 40 years. He has spent 10 years as an active roofing contractor and the last 18 years as a Roofing, Waterproofing, Sheet Metal, and Exterior Wall Consultant.

Over the last 18 years, Mr. Shepherd attended about 1100 hours of continuing education courses related to roofing, waterproofing, sheet metal, exterior walls, windows and other various building envelope components. He is an RCI Registered Roof Consultant and Registered Roof Observer, a HAAG Certified Residential and Commercial Roof Inspector, a licensed roofing contractor in California and Arizona, and a Certified Building Science Thermographer.

Mr. Shepherd has been retained in over 400 construction defect litigation cases, representing plaintiffs, developers and/or sub-contractors. He has been deposed more than 60 times, testified in over 20 trials and has extensive mediation experience as well.

Areas of Expertise:

• Construction Defect
• Water Intrusion Investigation
• Property Loss Damage Claims
• Personal Injury Claims
• Standard of Care and Building Code Issues Related to Roofing, Sheet Metal, Waterproofing, and Building Envelope

View Consulting Profile.

Casey K. Hemmatyar, SE, is a Forensic Structural Engineer with over 30 years of diversified experience in the field of Structural, civil, and forensic engineering in design, investigation, evaluation, research, building code and standards development and construction supervision. His experience includes new buildings, special structures, as well as modifications, alterations, seismic / wind retrofits, and upgrades. Mr. Hemmatyar has provided failure analysis, expert consultation, structural forensic investigation, damage assessment services for many litigation and insurance related matters. He has been principal structural engineer on projects for clients such as NASA and several other high profile agencies.

Litigation Support - Mr. Hemmatyar has provided extensive services for defendants and plaintiff attorneys on construction litigation matters in single and Class-Action both on State and Federal lawsuits. His understanding of core legal concepts and engineering principles has enabled him to assist his attorney clients in the most efficient manner. His services include on-site inspection, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Construction Defects Failure Analysis Code Compliance / Violation Natural Disaster Damage Assessment Structural Failure Investigation Foundation System Settlements Structural Repair Analysis Corrosion Earthquake Damage Vibration and Frequency Mechanical, Electrical, Medical Equipments

Construction Schedule Delay Property Insurance Claims Standard of Care Construction Accidents Buildings & Public Works Flood & Demolition Damage Errors / Omission Water Intrusion Roof Systems Floor Systems Impact Forces

View Casey Hemmatyar's Consulting Profile.

Daniel D. Bawden, GMB, CAPS, CGR, CGP, JD, has over 35 years of experience in the Construction Industry. He is a Graduate Master Builder, Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and a Certified Green Building Professional.

Mr. Bawden serves as an accredited Instructor for the National Association of Home Builders, certifying other builders in his own specialties. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree and Law degree from Baylor University. He is currently serving as Vice Chair of the NAHB Remodelers Council, on track to be the national spokesman for the remodeling industry in 2017.

Litigation Support - Mr. Bawden has an outstanding reputation for winning cases. His combination of legal and hands-on construction experience, along with his numerous certifications, make him a highly credible witness in all facets of residential construction.

Mr. Bawden helped write the "Residential Construction Performance Guidelines," which is the primary criteria for construction standards. With trial experience on behalf of both homeowners and builders, Mr. Bawden is a likeable persona, an excellent and clear communicator, effective before arbitrators, judges, and juries alike.

Areas of Expertise:

Construction Cost Estimates / Analysis Construction Defects Project Management Disputes

Construction for the Disabled (ADA) Construction Delays Code Compliance / Violation

View Dan Bawden's Consulting Profile.

John Gillies is a Chartered Building Surveyor and the Senior Director of Johnson Gillies. Mr. Gillies is frequently involved in dilapidation assessments for Landlords and Tenants. In addition, he is often called upon to produce opinions and evidence in matters of dispute. Mr. Gillies provides Expert Witness reports for legal issues and appears in Court as an expert on construction and related matters.


The firm's Building Consultancy and Expert Services Include:

Surveys: Building, Homebuyer, Vendor, and Measured Surveys. Planned Maintenance, Defects Analysis, and Due Diligence Investigations.

Audits: Fire, Health and Safety, Environmental, Access, and Commercial EPC.

Development Consultancy: Development Monitoring, Party Walls, Planning, Rights of Light.

Construction Consultancy: Contract Administration, Design, Employers Agent, Feasibility Study, Fit Outs, New Build, CDM Co-ordination, Project Management, Refurbishment, Repair & Maintenance.

Landlord & Tenant: Dilapidations, Services and Charges, Licences and Alterations, Photographic Schedules, Schedules of Condition.

Dispute Resolution: Expert Witness, Adjudication, and Arbitration of:

Building Contract Disputes

Cost and Quality of Building Works Disputes

Expert Reports

Legal Evidence at Court

Insurance: Building Reinstatement Valuations and Insurance Loss Assessing.

The experts at Miller Engineering are Ann Arbor-based professional engineers celebrating 30 years of service to University, Government, Insurance, and Industry through research, publications, presentations, and testimony. Miller Engineering has a staff of engineers and experts in the Mechanical, Chemical, Agriculture, Industrial, and Human Factors fields of engineering with specific knowledge in the following areas: 

Vehicles Car/Truck Accident Reconstruction Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Visibility & Reaction Time Analysis Tires, Trailers, Brakes & Accelerators Truck/Off Road Vehicle Egress/Ingress Traffic Signing and Construction Zones Mechanical & Electrical Safety Product Safety & Analysis Machinery - Metal, Wood, Plastic Molding Machine Guarding & Safety, Robots, Automation Hazard and Risk Analysis Employee Safety Procedures – OSHA Electrical Distribution & Transmission Hazards

Warnings & Instructions Warning Labels & User Manual Design Hazard Analysis & Product Label Designs Medical Device & Drug Warnings & Instructions Inadequate Warnings Analysis Standard Compliance (ANSI Z535) Product Recall Information & Strategies Consumers/Household Safety Appliances & Tools Child Furniture, Choking, Playgrounds Swimming Pools & Exercise Equipment Recreation - ATV, Boats, Bicycles, Boards Ladder, Stair, Step and Railing Accidents Slip, Trip, & Fall Accidents

Chemicals Safety & Labeling NEW OSHA HAZCOM (2012) & GHS Review MSDS, SDS and Product Label Compliance Toxic Torts - Diacetyl, Asbestos, Benzene, Lead, Carbon Monoxide Vaping & E-Cigarette Health Effects Chemical Exposures & Workplace Safety Chemical Inhalation, Ingestion, Dermal Contact Contamination - Water & Environmental Manufacturing & Process Line Accidents Slips, Trips, Falls, & Entanglements Fires & Explosions Cause & Origin Investigations Gas, Vapor, & Electrical Spontaneous Combustion Vaping & E-cigarette Battery Failures

Agriculture Tractor & Equipment Accidents Chemical Applications & Exposures Crop Storage & Harvesting Accidents Pesticides Construction Vehicle Visibility Accidents Slip, Trip, & Fall Accidents Power Tool Repetitive & Immediate Injuries Scaffolding - Cranes - Hoisting - Fork Lifts Insurance Subrogation & Forensics Accident Investigations Electrical & Fire Causation Chemical Leakage Damage Defective Equipment Injuries Premise and Process Damages

James M. Miller, PE, PhD – Founder Dr. Miller is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Michigan College of Engineering and a registered professional engineer and consultant with over 30 years of experience as an expert witness. He has served as a consultant to industry and government and is highly qualified to give engineering testimony. Dr. Miller specializes in warnings, labeling and instruction manuals, consumer product design, machine guarding, process safety, fire science, vehicle visibility, tractor egress/ingress, pedestrian and worker slip and fall prevention, recreational vehicles (ATVs, boats, and personal watercraft), compliance with occupational safety and consumer safety standards (OSHA, MSDS, CPSC, ANSI, ASTM, UL, etc.).

Mark R. Lehto, PhD – Co-Founder Dr. Lehto is a Professor of Engineering at Purdue University. He completed his Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Michigan in 1985, where he specialized in Human Factors Engineering, in particular Warnings and Labeling. He has taught courses at Purdue in human and safety factors areas, as well as decision making and artificial intelligence. He has authored numerous professionally-reviewed articles, and he has authored / coauthored internationally-recognized textbooks in the areas of human factors and ergonomics. Dr. Lehto specializes in knowledge engineering, warnings and instructions, structuring expert systems, accident modeling, accident statistical analysis, consumer product safety, boating safety, in-field national surveys of product usage and product information effectiveness.

David R. Clark, PE, PhD – Co-Founder Dr. Clark is an Emeritus Engineering Professor at Kettering University. He was an engineering Ph.D. graduate from the University of Michigan, where he specialized in human factors engineering and system safety analyses. In particular, his earlier degrees in mechanical and electrical areas have given him a special expertise in electrical fire- and explosion-related accidents. Dr. Clark is also published on the topics of warnings and labeling. With considerable in-plant experience at General Motors, he is uniquely qualified to provide student theses and design projects while teaching at Kettering that deal with many types of mechanical and optimization projects. Finally, he has extensive experience working for loss control companies, performing over 150 fire origin and cause investigations in the past few years.

David G. Shreve, PE,  is a licensed Professional Engineer in 18 states. He holds a certification from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), is a LEED® accredited professional for Building and Construction and holds a Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) credential. 

Mr. Shreve has over 30 years of experience in design, construction administration and forensic analysis of Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Energy Management Systems for commercial, institutional and residential projects. He is also a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and International Code Council (ICC).

Mr. Shreve joined Ivey Engineering in 2014. His primary responsibilities include forensic analysis of HVAC, plumbing, fire protection and energy management systems. He also performs site inspections, testing, research, product analysis and cost estimating, and is responsible for writing reports and testifying in depositions, hearings and trials.

EXPERIENCE (partial listing)
∗ Approximately 300 HVAC, fire protection and plumbing design projects
∗ Approximately 10 LEED® design projects
∗ Approximately 20 feasibility studies
∗ Approximately 125 expert witness engagements

View David Shreve's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Eric N. Brown, CIH, CSP, is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), with both certifications in good standing with the issuing boards. Dr. Brown holds a Doctorate in Public Health with an Industrial Hygiene specialization from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a Master’s degree in Public Health with an Occupational Health specialization from the Medical College of Ohio. He has over 20 years of experience in:

• Mold
• Health and Safety
• Industrial Hygiene
• Indoor Air Quality Exposure Assessments

Litigation Support - Dr. Brown has been a designated expert in hundreds of cases, been and has testified successfully in both trials and arbitrations. His expertise has never been challenged. His services are available to attorneys representing both plaintiff and defendant. 

Areas of Expertise:

Asbestos Bad Faith Construction Safety Environmental Ergonomics Hazardous Materials Human Factors Engineering

Industrial Hygiene & Mold Landlord / Tenant Lead Poisoning Occupational / Environmental Health OSHA Safety Wrongful Death

Andrew Allocco, PE, is a leading Construction Consultant, Florida Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster and Real Estate Broker. With over 45 years of experience in his fields of expertise, Mr. Allocco's services are sought by individuals, corporations, developers, and law firms to oversee and advise on construction projects. He is the current owner of construction, real estate, and engineering consulting firms.

Background Experience - Mr. Allocco is the President of Indian River Construction Services, Inc. Prior to his current role, he served as the President of Better Homes Construction Services, Inc. of Miami, Florida, which performed in excess of 40,000 Building Inspections. A Forensic Consulting Engineer, he inspects Commercial, Residential, and Industrial Facilities before, during, and after construction. He assists property owners with complex insurance claims, some of which involve significant and lengthy litigation

Mr. Allocco is not only licensed in the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer and Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, he holds more licenses both presently active and past than any other individual in the State

Litigation Support - Since the early 1970s, Andrew Allocco has been an Expert Witness in many court and arbitration cases involving disputes between owners, builders, contractors, and architects. He has extensive knowledge of the court litigation process and has assisted law firms in providing facts and questions to be used during depositions and discovery motions. Mr. Allocco's services include inspection reports on the status of the property, depositions, trial testimony, arbitration, and mediation hearings.

Areas of Expertise:

Roof Analysis Balcony Inspections Structural Condition of Buildings / Drone Inspections Highrise Buildings Smart Buildings / Energy Use / Conservation Sick Buildings HVAC  Water Intrusion

Sewer Charges Swimming Pool Spa Fire Piping Motors Machinery Roads Fencing

Insurance Litigation and Structural Consulting - Mr. Allocco is also called upon by insurance companies and attorneys representing property owners to help adjusters evaluate loss. He has been retained to investige the cause of a structural failures, determination the extent of the structural damage, develop subrogation information, prepare the scope of repair, develop a repair design, draft specifications, and more. Mr. Allocco aslo has experience with code upgrades and notice of dangerous conditions, including hurricanes such as Hurricane Andrew.

View Andrew Allocco's Consulting Profile.

Dennis E. Wilson has over forty years of experience in Land Planning, Civil Engineering, and Land Surveying. His company, Horizon Consulting Service, specializes in Entitlements, In-Fill Projects, Civil Engineering, and Land Planning and Design for commercial, industrial and residential properties. Mr. Wilson works on both private and governmental projects. As an Expert Witness, Mr. Wilson has participated in property line disputes, condemnation resolutions and land use issues. 

Professional Memberships:

• American Planning Association
• Past Chair of Land Use Committee, National Association of Home Builders
• Past Chair Land Use & Government Affairs, California Building Industry Association
• Past Chair of BIACC PAC
• Past Chair/Current Member on Land Use & Transportation Committee, Modesto Chamber of Commerce