Securing the Right Expert to Support Your Lawsuit

Securing the Right Expert to Support Your Lawsuit

lit-support-blog-image.jpg

On March 25, 2016 I published a Blog titled “Expert Witness, a Becht Engineering Service to Avoid”. This Blog focused on a number of elements that can be used to assure projects do not result in litigation. These elements include:

  • Developing a sound, complete scope of work
  • Selecting a qualified contractor
  • Using proven industry standards with specific addenda
  • Putting a highly experienced management and technical team in the contractor’s office
  • Implementing shop and field quality assurance programs
  • Demanding timely reporting from the contractor

However, we find that many times these elements are not implemented on major projects and there is a dispute over cost, schedule or performance resulting in litigation. There can also be cases involving equipment failures, underperformance of projects, patent infringement or injury where we are contacted after the litigation process is well under way. In these cases, it is critical the legal team engage the right technical experts to supplement the case. Becht Engineering has over 1300 experts covering the technical, maintenance and operational aspects of the nuclear, refining and petrochemical industries. Most of these people have over 30 years of experience with major operating companies. We have and are currently providing expert witness services in many areas including:

  • Construction cost overruns
  • Failure to pay claims
  • Delay claims
  • Fatal accidents and incidents
  • Equipment failures
  • Plant performance issues
  • Process safety management
  • OSHA violations
  • Patent infringement
  • Crane and rigging incidents

Our process includes unpaid consultation with the legal team to assure alignment with our experts and needs of the case. We also evaluate any conflict of interest issues and will provide a formal proposal for our services. After we are engaged we review case documents and prepare an expert report, rebuttal report or other documents needed by the legal team. Many of our experts have experience with deposition as well as trial and arbitration testimony. We encourage legal teams to engage us early in the process to help support strategic technical direction on the case. 

If you have a question for the author you may use the Comment function at the bottom of this blog. If you have an Information Request regarding Litigation Support, please click below:

Request Info

|

About The Author

Contact:
Rick Hoffman joined Becht Engineering in June, 2009 as a Senior Engineering Advisor. He has more than 39 years experience in engineering, reliability management and maintenance in the refining, petrochemical and synthetic fuels industries. Prior to joining Becht Engineering he was the Director, Specialty Engineering for LyondellBasell Industries. In this role he had worldwide responsibility for corporate technical support, mechanical engineering and maintenance for more than 40 chemical plants and two refineries. He was also responsible for capital project support, setting the strategic direction for Lyondell maintenance

Authors Recent Posts

Securing the Right Expert to Support Your Lawsuit
Let Becht Turn Your Problem
Into Peace of Mind