Forensic Engineering & Expert Witness Services
Overview
Forensic Engineering is the practice of applying the science of engineering to some legal circumstance. These engineers investigate and report on accidents or failures. A Forensic Engineer (FE) may be called on to act as an expert witness, providing testimony in front of a jury. The FE must have technical competency as their specialty, as well as knowledge of legal procedures. The FE must be able to apply detective skills to different circumstances and be able to relate their findings to a judge, jury, or lawyer.
Since 1941, JBA has maintained a reputation for providing qualified Forensic Engineers and Expert Witnesses. Below is a sample list of cases for which the firm has provided its services:
- Septic System Failure, Condemnation
- Workman Fell Through Roof – Personal Injury
- Pipeline Trench Failure
- Ladder Failure – Personal Injury
- Dike Failure – Flood Damage
- Asphalt Failure – Personal Injury
- Floor Damage – Drainage
- Failure to Maintain (Mobile Home Park)
- Water Main Break (Construction Error)
- Soils Stability – Erosion Damage
- Flood Damage – Retention Basin Failure
- Earthquake Damage to Structure
- Concrete Pipe Failure
- Property Line Dispute & Wall Failure
- Foam Roof Dispute – Cost Overrun
- Soils Subsidence & Structural Failure
- Wind Damage to Manufactured Houses
- Ceiling Failure – Refrigerated Building
- Retaining Wall Failure – Property Damage
- Use of Fire Damaged Chum Rubber
- Damage by Vibration from Pile Driving
- Faulty Domestic Water System
- Earth Failure – Soil Stability
- Property Condemnation
- Water Damage to Condos
- Faulty Sewer System
- Natural Gas Line Failure
- Planning & Boundary Dispute
- Building Condemnation by City
- Easement Dispute
- Ground Water Hydrology Litigation
- Accident Involving Scaffold (Personal Injury)
- Liquefaction, High Ground Water
- Safety Procedure
- Traffic Accident, City Maintenance
- Developer / Engineer Dispute
- New Building – Time & Costs Excessive
- Cost Estimate Dispute – Builder / Contractor
- Condo – Faulty Construction
- Avalanche Damage to Mountain Homes
- Safety of Stairs (Personal Injury)
- Lot Compaction – Footing Failure
- Water System Contamination
- Flooding Due to Fire-Damaged Hillsides
- Dispute Between Engineer’s Reports
- Groundwater Contaminated with Radon Gas
Attorney References
Client & Address
Gresham, Savage, Nolan, & Tilden
3750 University Avenue, Suite 250
Riverside, CA 92501
3750 University Avenue, Suite 250
Riverside, CA 92501
Contact
Theodore K. Stream, Esq.
(951) 684-2171
(951) 684-2171
Client & Address
Ward & Ward Attorneys
685 East Carnegie Drive, Suite 140
San Bernardino, CA 92408
685 East Carnegie Drive, Suite 140
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
William J. Ward, Esq.
(909) 381-8350
(909) 381-8350
Client & Address
Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick
215 North "D" Street, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92401
215 North "D" Street, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Contact
Wilfred Lemann, Esq.
(909) 889-3691
(909) 889-3691
Client & Address
Berger, Kahn, Shafton & Moss
4551 Glencoe Avenue, Suite 300
Marina del Ray, CA 90292
4551 Glencoe Avenue, Suite 300
Marina del Ray, CA 90292
Contact
Julie H. Rubin, Esq.
(310) 621-9000
(310) 621-9000
Client & Address
Klinedinst Attorneys at Law
501 West Broadway, 6th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
501 West Broadway, 6th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact
Mark H. Nys, Esq.
(619) 239-8131
(619) 239-8131
Client & Address
Reid & Hellyer
3880 Lemon Street, 5th Floor
Riverside, CA 92502-1300
3880 Lemon Street, 5th Floor
Riverside, CA 92502-1300
Contact
James J. Manning, Jr., Esq.
(951) 682-1771
(951) 682-1771
Client & Address
San Bernardino County Counsel
385 North Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92415
385 North Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92415
Contact
Alan L. Green
Deputy County Counsel
(909) 387-5288
Deputy County Counsel
(909) 387-5288
Client & Address
Contact
Experience
The select projects in this section are indicative of JBA’s Forensic Engineering & Expert Witness experience. You may view them by category below:
Personal Injury (Partial List)
Case
Wheelchair Injury - Asphalt Failure
Description
A small portion of asphalt failed which resulted in a wheel of a wheelchair being displaced, throwing occupant to the ground and causing multiple injuries.
Case
Ladder Slippage
Description
Ladder and construction worker fell to the ground causing injury. Computer calculations were used to prove the impossibility of workman's claims.
Case
Roof Sheeting Failure
Description
Workman fell through roof sheeting 14 feet to concrete slab sustaining multiple injuries. Tests showed how workman caused accident.
Case
Stairway Trip and Fall
Description
Person lost balance due to irregularity of stairs and sustained injuries. Stairs were improperly constructed.
Case
Wall Collapse
Description
Six-foot high concrete block wall fell on workman causing amputation and other injuries. Modeling of accident showed who was responsible.
Case
Pavement Failure
Description
Automobile hit large pothole in a city street causing severe damage to occupant. Showed how hole might have been obscured by water.
Case
Electric Shock
Description
Person fell into ditch caused by erosion at which time contact was made with a hot guy wire causing amputation of a portion of arm. Computer aided modeling was necessary to show sequence of events.
Case
Scaffolding Failure
Description
Scaffold improperly erected failed, injuring workman.
Case
Off-Road Vehicle Accident
Description
Occupant of vehicle being used improperly suffered fatal injuries. Topography of site showed how accident happened.
Case
Auto Accident
Description
Poor road design was contributing factor, causing accident. Computer modeling was used to show friction factors.
Building (Partial List)
Case
Earthquake Damage
Client
Cal-Vet Loans
Case
Foam Roof Dispute
Client
Kelley A. Francisco, Esq.
Case
Soil Subsidence & Structural Damage
Client
Automobile Club
Case
Landslide & Structural Damage
Client
Cal-Vet Loans
Case
Allingham - Flooding
Client
Cal-Vet Loans
Case
Soil Subsidence (Monaco)
Client
Cal-Vet Loans
Case
Earthquake & Flood Damage
Client
Cal-Vet Loans
Case
Property Condemnation
Client
Fullerton, Lemann & Schaefer, Attys.
Case
Water Damage to Condos
Client
Parker, Stanbury, Babcock, Combs & Bergsten, Attys.
Case
Soil Failure - Foundation
Client
Fullerton, Lemann & Schaefer, Attys.
Case
Building Condemnation
Client
Redwine & Sherrill, Attys.
Case
Building Failure
Client
Malley, Scoot and Koffman, Attorneys at Law
Case
Structural Failure
Client
Elizabeth Guerin, Kirtland & Packard Attorney at Law
Case
Building Failure Due to Flooding
Client
Law Office of Kelley A. Francisco
Water Related (Partial List)
Case
Failure by Construction Managers in the Process of Work on Pipeline Project in Moorpark, CA
Client
David W. Treadway, Esq.
Ferguson, Case, Orr, Patterson
Ferguson, Case, Orr, Patterson
Client Address
1050 South Kimball Road
Ventura, CA 93004
Ventura, CA 93004
Case
Corrugated Plastic Storm Drain Pipe Failure & Personal Injury in Oakland, CA
Client
Georgia Michell, Esq.
Michell-Langsam Law Firm
Michell-Langsam Law Firm
Client Address
201 North Civic Drive, Ste. 236
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Case
Water Line Failure Damage to Sound Studio in Glendale, CA
Client
Howard D. Maycon, Esq.
Cozen & O'Connor
Cozen & O'Connor
Client Address
777 South Figueroa Street, Ste. 2850
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Case
Subsidence Due to Underground Pipe in Los Angeles, CA
Client
Victor Jacobovitz, Esq.
Law Office of Victor Jacobovitz
Law Office of Victor Jacobovitz
Client Address
3055 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste. 801
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Case
Fire Main Break – M.L.K. School Corrosion
Client
Kevin D. Bush, Esq.
Cozen & O’Connor
Cozen & O’Connor
Client Address
501 West Broadway, Suite 1610
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego, CA 92101
Case
Failure of Cast Iron Pipe
Client
Barrett Kiernan, Esq.
Cozen & O’Connor
Cozen & O’Connor
Client Address
501 West Broadway, Suite 1610
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego, CA 92101
Case
Water Main Break
Client
Thomas M. Regan, Esq.
Cozen & O’Connor
Cozen & O’Connor
Client Address
501 West Broadway, Suite 1610
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego, CA 92101
Case
Concrete Cylinder Pipe Failure
Client
Jeanette Palla, Esq.
Ampac
Ampac
Client Address
P.O. Box 609
Douglas City, CA 96024
Douglas City, CA 96024
Wood Construction (Partial List)
Case
Multiple Structural Damage from Construction Vibration
Client
United States Fidelity & Guarantee Company
Case
Multiple Residence Framing Failure
Client
Parnell & Associates, Attys.
Case
Railing Failure
Client
Farmer’s Insurance Group
Case
Truss Structural Failure
Client
Von Tahalen-Fedoroff, Attys.
Case
Fire Damage, Glue Lam Beams
Client
Golden Insurance Company
Case
Roof Structure Failure
Client
Kemper Insurance Company
Case
Earthquake Damage to Residence
Client
Allstate Insurance Company
Case
Structural Failure from Vibration
Client
Wausau National Insurance Company
Case
Condominium Earthquake Damage
Client
Allstate Insurance Company
Case
Workman Fell through Roof
Client
Law Offices of Bill E. O’Hearn
Case
Earthquake Damage
Client
CalVet Loans
Case
Building Failure
Client
Malley, Scoot & Koffman, Attys.
Case
Structural Failure
Client
Kirtland & Packard
Case
Roof Failure – Diamond Bar
Client
Patterson & Lucas, Atty.
Case
Faulty Condo Construction
Client
Edgehill Management Corporation
Case
Faulty Condos Construction
Client
California Development Corporation
Case
Damage to House
Client
Ron Goldy, Atty.
Case
Vandalized Houses
Client
Golden West Supply Company
Case
Earth Slippage to Mountain Home
Client
Pacific Savings & Loan
Case
Wind Damage to Houses
Client
Conner & Rego Attys.
Case
Subdivision Structural Failure
Client
Gary Winn, Atty.
Soils & Grading (Partial List)
Case
American Truss Grading & Drainage Dispute
Location
Riverside, CA
Case
Soil Subsidence
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Case
Flooding, Erosion & Soil Failure
Location
Alisal, Solvang, CA
Case
Earthen Bank Failure & Flooding
Location
Chino, CA
Case
Soils Subsidence
Location
Riverside, CA
Case
Stream Bank Erosion
Location
Highland, CA
Case
Earth Movement & Wall Failure
Location
Tustin, CA
Case
Soil Failure - Water Reservoir
Location
San Diego, CA
Case
Trench Failure
Location
Riverside, CA
Case
Dike Failure & Flood Damage - Tijuana River
Location
San Diego, CA
Case
Soils Stability - Erosion Damage
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Case
Retention Basin Failure & Flood Damage
Location
San Diego, CA
Case
Channel Bank Failure & Flood Damage (Personal Injury)
Location
Colton, CA
Case
Dam Failure & Flood Damage - Whitewater River
Location
Riverside, CA
Case
Soil Failure - Foundation
Location
Moreno Valley, CA
Flood Damage (Partial List)
Case
Flooding of Automobile Dealership - NV
Client
Joseph Goldberg, Esq.
Cozen & O’Connor
Cozen & O’Connor
Client Address
385 N. Arrowhead Ave., Floor 4
San Bernardino, CA 29415
San Bernardino, CA 29415
Case
Repeated Property Flooding - CA
Client
Alan L. Green, Esq.
San Bernardino County Counsel
San Bernardino County Counsel
Client Address
501 West Broadway, Suite 1610
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego, CA 92101
Case
Flooding & Erosion - Alisal, Solvang, CA
Client
Joseph Goldberg, Esq.
Cozen & O’Connor
Cozen & O’Connor
Client Address
Suite 2 Sycamore Building
1365 West Foothill Boulevard
Upland, CA 91786
1365 West Foothill Boulevard
Upland, CA 91786
Case
Earthen Bank Failure & Subsequent Flooding - Chino, CA
Client
Richard A. Lepore, Esq.
Richard G. Anderson Law Offices
Richard G. Anderson Law Offices
Client Address
501 West Broadway, Suite 1610
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego, CA 92101
Case
Flooding of Casino - Las Vegas, NV
Client
Joseph Goldberg, Esq.
Cozen & O’Connor
Cozen & O’Connor
Client Address
3610 14th Street
Riverside, CA 92501
Riverside, CA 92501
Case
Property Damage Fire, Flood & Culvert
Client
Patrick L. Graves, Esq.
Graves & King
Graves & King
Client Address
3 Hutton Center Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Case
Property Damage Fire & Flood
Client
Don H. Zell, Esq.
Law Offices of Don Zell
Law Offices of Don Zell
Client Address
100 Wilshire Boulevard, #950
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Case
Flooding of Construction Yard - Long Beach, CA
Client
Heidi S. Hart, Esq.
Herrig & Vogt, LLP
Herrig & Vogt, LLP
Client Address
1651 East 4th Street, Suite 150
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Case
Residential Damage Flooding
Client
Michael E. Burkett, Esq.
Walsh & Declues
Walsh & Declues
Client Address
385 N. Arrowhead Ave., Floor 4
San Bernardino, CA 29415
San Bernardino, CA 29415
Case
Flooding of Private Property (Including Fire Debris)
Client
Alan L. Green, Esq.
San Bernardino County Counsel
San Bernardino County Counsel
Client Address
131 South Rodeo Drive, #250
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Case
Mobile Home Park Flooding (Burn Area)
Client
Arthur Grebow, Esq.
Grebow, Yee & Spiro
Grebow, Yee & Spiro
Client Address
7700 Irvine Center Dr., Ste. C-315
Irvine, CA 92718
Irvine, CA 92718
Case
Dike Failure (Flood Damage) - Tijuana River
Client
Maria Rullo, Esq.
Hill, Genson, Even, Crandall & Wade
Hill, Genson, Even, Crandall & Wade
Client Address
3602 Inland Empire Blvd.,
Ste. C-315
Ste. C-315
Case
Channel Overflow & Flood Damage- Rialto Creek
Client
Richard R. Clouse, Esq.
Cihigoyenetche, Grossberg & Clouse
Cihigoyenetche, Grossberg & Clouse
Client Address
Ontario, CA 91764
Case
Retention Basin Failure Flood Damage
Client
Peter Lynch, Esq.
Cozen & O’Connor
Cozen & O’Connor
Client Address
501 West Broadway, Suite 1610
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego, CA 92101
Downloads & Articles
Forensic Engineering/Expert Witness-Related Articles
The following articles by Joseph S.C. Bonadiman, Ph.D., P.E. have been published in leading industry periodicals, and are available for download:
Experience Versus Education In Forensic Engineering
(Article originally appeared in the industry publication Forensic Examiner, Winter 2007, Vol. 16, Number 4.)
Abstract:
Attorneys need to know if the expert witnesses they select are competent professionals. Two criteria attorneys commonly assess are education and experience. This article puts into perspective the positive and negative aspects of both education and experience when choosing an expert witness, and an example is presented to demonstrate each argument.
Download Article