Construction Defects Expert Witnesses: 44

Since 2010, Craig Moskowitz, MBA, MS, PE, the President and Managing Member of CLM Engineering Associates, LLC (CLM), has been concentrating the comapny's focus on forensic engineering/expert witness work for the insurance industry and legal community. In addition, they offer construction management, civil engineering and building inspection services. 

CLM has extensive construction management experience on both commercial and residential projects. Projects have included:

•  Safety inspections on both civilian and military projects through application of OSHA regulations. Designed drainage systems for the government while an officer with the United States military. Cost estimating for various projects exceeding $500 million<li>
• Designed document creation and management of high-rise construction in Manhattan
• Management of telecommunications projects for Verizon in Manhattan including CPM schedule creation and updating
• Directed and managed all water distribution system and sewer system work while working as a contractor to the New York City Department of Design and Construction. 
• Marketplace Services

Litigation Support - Forensic work related to evaluation of structural steel systems with commercial building construction and insurance-related claims due to storm damage on commercial and residential structures. Craig Moskowitz has been deposed several times in litigation matters. Mr. Moskowitz has testified 17 times in the past four years. 

View Craig Moskowitz's Consulting Profile.

As an arbitrator, structural/civil engineer, and expert forensic consultant with nearly four decades of experience, Casey Hemmatyar has provided extensive expert services for defendants’ and plaintiffs’ attorneys on numerous construction litigation matters throughout the United States and Canada.

He has been retained as an expert engineer in over one hundred litigation matters on single and class-action legal cases by the U.S. government, law firms, and insurance carriers at the State and Federal levels, working with both plaintiff and defendant sides.

A partial list of litigation cases is available upon request. His understanding of core engineering and legal concepts has enabled him to assist a wide range of clientele effectively. He brings diversified experience in structural and civil engineering design and forensic engineering, investigation, and evaluation.

He also conducts research, has assisted in the development of building codes and standards, and has supervised the construction of domestic and international projects. His experience includes special structures and new buildings as well as modifications, alterations, seismic/hurricane retrofits, and upgrades to existing structures. He has provided failure analysis, expert consultation, structural forensic investigation, and damage assessment services for numerous litigation and insurance-related matters.

He actively presents continuing education lectures to audiences of licensed engineers, architects, and general contractors on topics of structural and forensic engineering throughout North America. Mr. Hemmatyar has been the principal structural engineer on high-profile projects for prestigious clients, including NASA and other notable organizations.  Currently, he directs PSFEG and has served as Director for SEAOSC from 2011 to 2013.

His work encompasses a diverse range of structures, including hospitals,  educational institutions (including schools and universities), telecommunication centers, aviation facilities, government buildings, laboratories, as well as commercial, industrial, and residential structures.

Mike Panish is an expert witness & consultant for most construction trades, specializing in automatic door systems and door sensors, door, door hardware, cabinetry, and architectural millwork. Extensive experience working for plaintiff & defense (Federal & State). Highly credible & solid testimony. Licensed in CA as a General Building Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Door, Lock & Security Equipment Contractor, Cabinet & Millwork Contractor, and Painting & Finish Specialties Contractor. Over 40 years hands-on experience in all construction trades with over 2000 cases since the year 2000. Local to CA & New England. Nationwide Inspection & Testimony in every state and internationally. 

Mike Panish is the most retained and the leading expert witness for Automatic Door injuries / Wrongful Death and Door Defects and Injuries. Security issues relating to daycare & healthcare centers. Construction defects, product liability, poor workmanship relating to contractor vs homeowner disputes and contractor fraud.

Areas of Expertise:

• Automatic Door Personal Injury, Wrongful Death Cases
• Door and Door Hardware Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Defects Cases
• Gates (all types including sliding, parking arm gates)
• Cabinetry, Architectural Millwork, Furniture Personal injury, Defects Cases
• Slip, Trip, Fall / Railings / ADA Personal Injury Cases
• General Construction (all trades) Defects Cases, Personal Injury Cases, Wrongful Death
• Premises Liability, Premises Security for Criminal Cases, Elder Abuse Cases, Wrongful Death
• Building Inspections (all types), Site Evaluation, Product Evaluation, Defect Analysis, Poor Workmanship, Costs & Estimates, Plans Analysis, Proper Installation, Claim Analysis

View Michael Panish's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Amin Terouhid is a Principal Consultant with Adroit Consultants, LLC. He leads a vibrant consulting practice on Construction Claim matters especially in the areas of delay analysis, loss of productivity, claims for changes, construction defects, and injury cases. 

Litigation Support - With extensive experience working on several large and mega construction projects internationally and throughout the United States, Dr. Terouhid  is a recognized expert in preparing and investigating construction claims. He has served numerous times (in more than 100 cases) in the capacity of a consulting expert.

Dr. Terouhid is currently (Feb 2022) involved in one international arbitration case for a multimillion-dollar claim in the court of London and three other cases, including a construction delay and loss of productivity claim for a megaproject in New York, a construction injury case, and a slip and fall case in the United States.

Areas of Expertise:

Civil Engineering / Industrial Engineering Forensic Schedule and Delay Analysis Construction Safety Slip and Fall Construction Injury Concrete Inspection

Construction Standard of Care Construction Simulation and Modeling Construction Inspection Loss of Productivity Critical Path Method (CPM)  OSHA

Dr. Terouhid is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the states of New Jersey, New York, and Texas and has been examined and certified by Project Management Institute (PMI) as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), by the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE International) as a Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) and a Decision and Risk Management Professional (DRMP), and by SAVE International as a Certified Value Specialist (CVS). Amin was a recipient of the 2018 AACE International Technical Excellence Award.

 Dr. Terouhid is the author of five AACE International recommended practices (RPs) that are used as guidelines with valuable reference information by practitioners around the globe.  

MCS Associates is a nationally recognized consulting group that has provided financial, operations and regulatory/compliance consulting services nationwide to financial institutions, insurance companies and regulatory agencies as well as real estate and financial services organizations for over 40 years. Expert Witness and Litigation Consulting are a primary focus of our services. We undertake expert witness assignments throughout the United States and our clients include several hundred leading law firms around the country, working on behalf of both plaintiff and defendant financial institutions, borrowers, depositors, investors, developers, insurance companies and their insured, securities/insurance/real estate brokers/agents, regulators and government agencies, and individuals. 

Together with MCS Associates’ specialized resources in banking, financial services and real estate, we also draw on key strategic alliances in insurance, economics, academia and the securities industry to meet a wide range of expert witness needs. Our litigation experts include experienced bankers, lenders, consultants, regulators, managers, brokers & agents in insurance, real estate, and securities; insurance claims and underwriting managers; economists, accountants, appraisers, real estate analysts, and academics. 

Areas of Expertise Include:

• Banking Operations/Administration
• Check Fraud
• Lending Policies, Custom and Practice
• Loan Underwriting & Credit Administration
• Loan Securitizations & Servicing
• Bankruptcy, Foreclosures and Workouts
• Trust & Fiduciary Issues / Operations
• Securities Brokerage & Investments
• Valuations & Damages Analysis
• Forensic Accounting
• Employment / Compensation
• Real Estate Brokerage & Management
• Title Insurance & Escrow
• Real Estate Appraisal & Transactions
• Insurance Industry Custom & Practice
• Insurance Coverages / Claims Handling
• Insurance Bad Faith

Justin D. Watts has a diverse inspection background performing thousands of residential, commercial and industrial inspections in evaluation of all construction trades including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing code compliance and construction defects. 

Mr. Watts has been employed by two government agencies as a Certified Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer. He is owner of American Dream Home Inspection and completed thousands of private real estate transactions. 

Timothy M. Barrett, RCI, RRC,  CSI, CDT, GRP, has 60 years of experience as a Roofing Contractor, Educator, Manufacturer, and Consultant in the Roofing and Waterproofing Industry. Notable projects have included the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Gold Bullion Vault at Ft. Knox, Soldier Field, Paris Casino, Bethesda Naval Hospital, Dept. of Interior Headquarters, Transbay Transit Center, and thousands of others.

In addition to standard roofing and waterproofing, Mr. Barrett Designs and Builds Green Vegetated Roofs which can provide incredible contributions to the environment. Having chaired the RCI Greenroof educational program development I and II Committees, and having delivered the program a number of times in the Midwest, the South, the West Coast, the East Coast, and Canada, he is current on the science and the state of the art.

Litigation Support: Mr. Barrett has over 45 years of experience consulting and testifying as a Roofing and Waterproofing Expert. He is very experienced with Forensic Investigations for Thermal and Moisture Protection Systems on commercial, institutional, and industrial waterproofing and roofing projects. Mr. Barrett's services include thorough forensic reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Roofing Waterproofing Insulation Roofing Forensic Investigations Roofing Failure analysis Roofing Material Science Leak Tracing

Adequacy of Roofing Design Green Vegetated Roofs Plaza Deck / Parking Deck Construction Flat Roofs Metal Roofs Workmanship Standards and Materials Roofing / Waterproofing Project Evaluation

Certifications and Affiliations: Registered Roof Consultant (RRC); Roof Consultants Institute (RCI); Construction Document Technologist (CDT); Construction Specifications Institute (CSI); Green Roofing Professional (GRP); Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC)

BTI Appraisal is a broad-based appraisal company which provides a consistently high level of Real Estate Appraisals, Business Valuations, and Machinery and Equipment Appraisals for Business, Professional, Public and Private Sectors. When you choose BTI Appraisal, you benefit from a strong tradition of experience and accuracy.

 A corporate philosophy stressing efficiency and attentive service has made BTI a leader among independent appraisers. They are proud of their reputation for stability, responsiveness, and accomplishment in and out of the courtroom. At BTI, their seasoned staff of success oriented professionals treats each assignment with precise attention to detail, providing needed research and responsive service on a wide range of appraisal needs. 

Litigation Support - BTI’s Founder and Chairman, Ben F. Tunnell III, has headed the firm since 1974. Previously, he spent eight years with First Interstate Bank of California as vice president at their corporate headquarters in Los Angeles. He served on the board of arbitrators for both the American Arbitration Association and the Better Business Bureau. He has also been a Registered Investment Advisor and Broker/Dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a licensed, California Real Estate Broker.

Mr. Tunnell is an ASA, the senior designation of the American Society of Appraisers, and a California Certified General Real Estate Appraiser #AG-6964. He has qualified and testified in Federal and Superior Courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings as an expert witness in Business Valuations, Real Estate, and Machinery and Equipment Appraisals.

View BCI's Consulting Profile.

Thomas H. Burtness, PE, is an Electrical Engineer specializing in both Electrical and Building Construction - equipment selection, specification, and installation (actually “working with the tools”), as well as cost control techniques.

Background - Mr. Burtness has 40+ years of experience in the design, specification, construction contract administration, installation, startup, and troubleshooting of electrical power, on-site generation, distribution, control, and instrumentation systems and equipment for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal occupancies. His experience also includes water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment plants, and military facilities.

Additional expertise includes Illumination Engineering for street, roadway, and area lighting including photometric footcandle requirements, calculations, field verification, equipment specifications, installation, and analysis of failure, glare, overlighting and underlighting.

Litigation Support - Since, 1981, Mr. Burtness has been providing forensic electrical engineering services to insurance companies and attorneys including accident and failure investigations, determination of cause and origin, litigation support, expert opinions, reports, and testimony. His services are available nationwide, with PE registration by comity available in most states.

Cases Involve:

Industrial Accidents Electrocution Personal Injury Fire Equipment and Machinery Failure

Failure of Safety Circuitry Grounding Lightning Damage and Fire Construction Defects / Contract Claims Design and Specification Disputes

View Thomas Burtness' Consulting Profile.

Thomas J. Young, PE, has over 39 years of experience in national and international Transportation Construction, the Civil Engineering specialty regarding highways, bridges, rail, airports, harbors, and associated infrastructure.

Mr. Young is a skilled integrator of the parameters of program and project life cycles, leadership, management, business operations, engineering and construction. He has extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance, environmental processes, industry standards, best practices, and field operations in urban and remote areas.

Mr. Young has broad construction management and design background for many of the knowledge and skill areas required in mining operations, bridges, highways, land development, major soil/structure type facilities, land survey, and construction surveying, including work in Arctic facilities and in desert regions.

Selected Background Experience:

• Completed 34 bridge structure designs, seismic retrofits, and special studies, including large cut and cover tunnels and numerous other complex structures for the $700 million design/build Eastern Transportation Corridor toll roads in Orange County, California
• Bridge construction oversight on $1 billion Cypress Corridor reconstruction in Oakland, California. 
• $10 million Sunrise/Highway 50, and $40-$50 million Douglas/Interstate 80 Interchange and Corridor designs in Sacramento, California.
• Bridge and highway project development duties in Caltrans Districts 1-5, 7, 10-12.

Thomas J. Young: PowerTeam Interview

Litigation Support - Mr. Young can act as an expert witness in all cases related to Forensic Transportation Construction Engineering. A persuasive communicator skilled at negotiating successful outcomes to complex situations, his expertise at analysis, problem solving, and bringing parties together in the public and private sectors is an asset in his performance in forensic engineering and expert witness testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

ADA Violations Architecture Bridges Building Codes Civil Engineering Construction Accidents Construction Claims Construction Defects Construction Failure Analysis Construction Injuries Construction Safety / OSHA Cost Estimating / Overruns Design Codes Design Engineering Drainage Driving Human Factors Engineering Quality Assurance Fall Protection Forensic Engineering Investigation Geotechnical Engineering Highway Engineering

Highway Safety Hydraulics and Drainage Hydrology Industrial Facilities  Land Development Land Surveying Landscape Architecture Management Professional Responsibility Public Works Sewers Signage Strategic Planning Structural Engineering Structural Engineering  Failures Surveys Temporary Structures Traffic Safety Transportation Transportation Construction

View Civ-Tek International's Business Consulting Profile.

Michael A. Pollock, PE, USPTO, is a Mechanical Engineer responsible for the design and engineering of commercial, industrial, manufacturing, institutional, and residential venues, as well as efforts relating to services and products used in and around these facilities. Mr. Pollock's full CV can be viewed at cogentexpert.com.

Business and industries include electronics, safety and construction, building materials, polymers and plastics, instrumentation manufacturing, petrochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, colleges, athletic facilities, textiles, coatings and resins, food storage, biosciences, supermarkets, inks & pigments, automotive, facility and real estate operations, agricultural, transportation, nuclear, healthcare, nutrition, retail, distributors, pulp and paper, packaging, utilities, apparel, and R&D centers.

Litigation Support - Mr. Pollock is a subject matter expert in Commercial and Industrial Engineering Applications and Projects, as well as engineering standards and applicable codes (ASHRAE, ASME, NIST, NFPA, NBIC, ASTM, SAE, LEED, ASCE, GMP, ISA, BOCA, and EPA Regulations.) He has engaged with local, state, and governmental officials and agencies regarding numerous matters over his commensurate years of experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Investment Engineering Economics Mechanical Engineering Standard of Care Architectural Standard of Care Construction Delay Construction Defect Construction Schedule Analysis Accident Analysis Metallurgical Failure Rotating Equipment Electrical Failure Chemical Failure Processes Instrumentation and Controls

Chillers Coatings Refrigeration Thermodynamics Water Treatment Steam Systems and Boilers   Power and Utilities Energy Conservation Environmental Impact Safety HVAC Project Management Product Development

Registrations

• Professional Engineer: PA (PE075410)
• American Bar Association (ABA) – Construction Forum
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Act Certification – Universal (includes Chillers, HVAC & Refrigeration)
• United States Patent & Trademark Office Registered (USPTO)                              

Forensic Consulting Experience

Warehouse Distribution Facility – Maryland - Evaluated a $10M (million) claim relating to purported construction defect claims by the 600,000 sq. ft. facility owner against the facility construction contractor and an original equipment manufacturer relating to installed infrastructure in the facility. Developed an expert opinion and expert report regarding the analysis of the purported defects and a proposed repair solution to correct said defects. 

 Psychiatric Hospital Facility – North Carolina – Evaluated a $28M (million) construction claim by the general contractor against a hospital facility concerning a $100M facility construction project.  Developed an expert opinion and report for general construction issues, constructability, design revisions, and corresponding delay analysis for mechanical, HVAC, electrical, smoke and fire, structural, security and building automation systems. 

Forensics Consulting Work-in-Progress 

• 2022 – International Trade Commission (ITC) Matter – Resin Manufacturing Facility Construction Delay / Completeness Analysis
• 2022 – Mechanical Systems Coatings Matter Analysis
• 2021 – Industrial Manufacturing Facility Standard of Care Matter, Construction Defect, Construction Delay     
• 2021 – Electrical Distribution System Construction Defect Matter, Standard of Care
• 2021 – Hotel Facility HVAC Materials of Construction Related Defect Matter

John G. Minor, President of Complete General Contractors, is a third-generation Contractor and licensed instructor certified by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. He is a recognized expert on the costs and applications necessary to repair buildings damaged by manufacturer, builder liability, water damage or intrusion, mold, or asbestos. Mr. Minor has worked in construction and contracting dispute resolution throughout the Southeast for over 17 years. He has been involved in the successful discharge of 150+ million dollars as an expert witness in property claim lawsuits and disputes. He is retained by both the plaintiff and defense for a fair appraisal of the issues at hand. Mr. Minor works with attorneys to generate a plan based on damages to property and in compliance with the provisions and spirit of the insurance policies in effect at the time of the loss. For personal injury cases, he works to establish the code requirements in place at times of the injury to find how they relate to the cause of action. Areas of Expertise:

Loss Appraisals Construction Claims Construction Disputes Construction Safety Construction Damages

Fire Damage HVAC Issues Insurance - Property, Casualty Mold Asbestos

View John Minor's Consulting Profile.

Sanford C. Loy , CCM, B.Arch, MSCE, has over 40 years of experience in the Construction Industry. Mr. Loy has Degrees in Architecture and Engineering. A Certified Construction Manager (CCM), he is committed to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice established by the Construction Management Association of America. CCM is the ANSI accredited professional designation for construction management and is the gold standard for CM service providers in over 145 countries.

Background Experience - Mr. Loy's experience spans virtually every type of building and design process. His strength centers on his understanding of the dynamics and interactions of the various trades and professions unique to every building project. He has experience with Construction Management at Risk, Construction Management Agency, Design-build, and Design-bid-build. Having successfully managed the completion of over one billion dollars of construction, Mr. Loy served as a Regional Engineer for the American Institute of Steel Construction and as Director of Construction and Development for Belz Enterprises, the largest development company in Tennessee, before founding Construction Strategies in 1988.

Litigation Support - Mr. Loy provides Construction Claim and Dispute Analysis services, with special expertise in Concrete Design and Design-Build. Having been a teacher of many of the principles and processes used in the industry he knows how to explain the difficult technical aspects of the information and analysis in a way which makes the facts understandable and believable to opposing counsel, insurance companies, judges, and juries. Mr. Loy has experience and provides assistance with various dispute resolution approaches, such as Owner / Contractor dispute resolution boards, arbitration, mediation, and provides expert witness testimony if necessary.

See services offered at https://www.construction-strategies.com/what-we-do 

View Sanford Loy's Consulting Profile.

Brian H. Aanestad has over 30 years of Construction and Fleet experience, including Heavy Equipment, Truck, and Trailer Transport. He currently serves as President and Construction Consultant at Inland Valley Engineering, Inc. and as an Expert Witness for Discover Experts.

Mr. Aanestad is a Consultant and Expert witness for matters including Underground Construction and Placement of Underground Utilities. He has decades of experience overseeing the placement of underground utilities, pipelines, and conduit. In addition, he has almost 20 years of experience in the Full-Service Truck Leasing industry, overseeing transportation, logistics, leasing, rental, and maintenance activities. His company was honored for its work on the Scripps Seawater Return Lines at the University of California, San Diego. The complex, $2.5 million project included nearly 4,500 feet of piping.

Litigation Support - Mr. Aanestad provides expert services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant which include on-site review, written reports, depositions, mediation, and trial testimony as needed. Most cases end in mediation or negotiated settlement.

Clients have included such firms as Heffernan & Boortz LLP, Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, Rutan & Tucker LLP, and Dowling/ Aaron, Chancio Brown LLC., Southern California Edison, Vast Networks (CVIN), City of Kansas City Missouri, and the City of Oceanside.  

Areas of Expertise:

Underground Trenchless Public Utilities Fiber Optics Installation   Engineering Contractor Negligence Feasibility Studies Underground Utility Easements Construction Standard of Care Construction Defects, Delays, Change Orders Construction Dispute Resolution Construction Damages / Cost Analysis Construction Equipment / Pipelines Heavy Trucks and Trailers

Forklifts Cranes Skip Loaders Backhoes Excavators Drilling & Boring Machines Horizontal Directional Drills Hydraulic Moles Truck Leasing, Rental, Maintenance Transportation Logistics DOT / BIT Review

David M. Bekus has over 40 years in the Construction Industry specializing in new home construction, and remodeling. Mr. Bekus has been a project manager, overseeing all aspects of construction from conception and approvals to final sales for single homes and developments. Mr. Bekus is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a building inspector (RCS, ICS, and HHS), a licensed home remodeler, and a licensed new home builder. He is also certified in Project Management, Cost Estimating, Construction Methods, Construction Site Safety, and is a EPA Lead Safe Certified Contractor. Litigation Support - As a seasoned expert in the construction field, Mr. Bekus provides comprehensive reports  and credible expert witness testimony. His services include project evaluations, building code inspections, and clear precisely written reports. Mr. Bekus' expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant and has testified in NJ superior court Areas of Expertise:

Industry Standards Building Code Compliance, Specifications Contract and Plan Specifications New Construction Defects Roof Issues Water Issues

Framing Defects Siding Defects Concrete Defects Insurance Claims Poor Workmanship Home Owner Association Issues

View David Bekus' Consulting Profile.