In this personal injury case, a refinery heater damaged beyond repair during a hurricane was being dismantled when sparks from the cutting tool ignited oil spilling from the heater tubes. We were asked to identify the cause and responsibilities for the incident, which required our review of regulations, industry standards, and company/contractor safe work practices. Baker & O’Brien presented our opinions in an expert report and provided deposition testimony supporting the dispute resolution.

A surge in natural gas production sparked increased competition for blending butane into gasoline, and a competitor who established operations upstream in the value chain displaced an existing blender. To help resolve the resultant dispute, Baker & O’Brien developed a comprehensive economic model of a butane blending business, discounting the projected cash flows to calculate the net present value. Our analysis was summarized in two expert reports and used in commercial damages claims and settlement negotiations.

While erecting a scaffold at a power plant, a scaffolder made a tragic mistake when he opened the electrical panel door protecting energized high-voltage equipment. We identified the applicable electrical generation regulations, industry standards, responsibilities of independent contractors, and individual human factors to determine the incident’s cause and responsibilities. Our expert report of opinions was used to negotiate a settlement.