Experience

Case Attribute: Forensic Analysis

Article
Defective Product Lawsuit Provided an expert report concerning a dispute between a pressure safety relief device manufacturer and an operator of a claim that a device did not operate as designed in a reactor overpressure incident. Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care , Operations/Maintenance
Gas Wellhead Equipment Failure Performed root cause analysis of a gas well casing hanger which led to a well blow out. Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care , Operations/Maintenance , Safety
Investigate Refinery Heater Explosion Performed root cause analysis of an explosion at a refinery heater and identified contributing factors. Performed a review of safe operating procedures, including shutdown and start-up of heaters. Provided expert testimony. Expert Witness/Testimony , Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care , Operations/Maintenance , Property Damage , Safety
PVC Plant Litigation Assisted in a dispute concerning allegations that an explosion at a major manufacturer of PVC resins was due to a poor process design that failed to meet government regulations and engineering standards. Assisted in discovery, inspected the plant, evaluated procedures and work methods, reviewed applicable standards, and reviewed operating records. Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care , Operations/Maintenance
Sulfuric Acid Storage Incident Retained to assist in the investigation of a fatality incident at a sulfuric acid processing and storage facility. Reviewed equipment design, inspection and repair history, operating procedures, training of personnel, and industry practices. Assisted legal team with on-site investigation and interaction with local, state, and federal agencies. Reviewed conclusions by root cause analysis for consistency and factual support. Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care , Operations/Maintenance , OSHA-related , Safety
Root Cause Analysis Conducted a Root Cause Failure Analysis on a high pressure steam turbine that failed following a planned outage at a cogeneration power plant. Evaluated outage work procedures, actual outage work undertaken, start-up monitoring results, and post-failure turbine inspection results on turbine disassembly. Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care , Operations/Maintenance
Petrochemical Terminal Fire Reviewed testimony, expert reports, and forensic evidence and attended depositions to determine cause and origin of terminal fire. Prepared report addressing electrostatic discharge theory, petrochemical handling procedures, employee training, and management issues. Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care , Safety
Cause and Origin Analysis Conducted a cause and origin investigation of a fire at a natural gas combined cycle generation plant. Investigation included in-plant interviews and review of operational data, as well as metallurgical investigation to determine the probable cause and origin of the fire. Forensic Analysis , Operations/Maintenance , Safety
Paper Mill Safety Incident Assisted attorneys by investigating the circumstances concerning an incident that occurred at a paper plant during a scheduled turnaround that resulted in a fatality. Issues studied included assessing work practices and safety procedures utilized to prepare equipment for turnaround activities, including vessel entry and paper mill plant design. Forensic Analysis , Operations/Maintenance , OSHA-related , Safety
Flash Fire Investigation Investigated circumstances concerning a flash fire that occurred during vessel entry and cleaning operations. The investigation included the: (1) assessment of refinery safe work practices compared to industry standards and government regulations; (2) utilization of vessel entry and confined space safety practices to mitigate ignition hazards; and (3) responsibilities of both the operating company and contractor organization to recognize, develop, and follow safe work plans to prevent potential flash fires from occurring during vessel entry. Developed and submitted expert report. Forensic Analysis , Operations/Maintenance , OSHA-related , Safety
Refractory Failure Investigation Provided expertise and technical assistance related to the evaluation of a failed refractory in a methanol reformer. Business Interruption , Forensic Analysis , OSHA-related , Property Damage
Refinery Business Interruption Dispute Following an unplanned shutdown, caused by extensive equipment damage, evaluated the refinery operation to confirm that all mitigation steps had been taken and also confirm the claimed business interruption losses. Business Interruption , Crude Oil Valuation , Forensic Analysis , LP/Planning Practice
Fracking Equipment Fire Assisted with the Cause and Origin investigation of a fire on a blender used in a fracking operation. Expert Witness/Testimony , Forensic Analysis , Industry Practice/Standard of Care
Industrial Accident Investigation Investigated Expert Witness/Testimony , Forensic Analysis , Operations/Maintenance , OSHA-related