Help Bullet-Proof Your Fire Subrogation or Litigation Case
Fire Cases often reach an attorney’s desk after a fire forensics expert has been at the fire scene, collected evidence, processed the evidence, written a report to the insurance company, and the scene has been removed. The evidence and the expertise of fire investigator’s on both sides of a case are critical to successful subrogation or litigation.
- How good is your fire investigator?
- How good is the opposing side’s fire investigator?
- Has key evidence been preserved?
- Are there clear lines of discovery?
- Is the focus of the case claim correct for the litigation at hand?
Gregory J. Cahanin, CP as an Expert Consultant can assist you in better defining the technical aspects of the fire loss. As a nontestifying Expert Consultant he can:
- Review the records and reports and issue a written report that will:
- Highlight strengths and weaknesses in your testifying expert.
- Point out evidence strengths and weaknesses.
- Present thoughts on how to best attack the opposing expert’s credentials and opinions.
- In the discovery phase of the case Gregory J. Cahanin holding a national NALA Paralegal Certification (CP) as a key member of your legal team can help draft Interrogatory Questions and Responses that will move your case forward.
- Proper technical terminology in interrogatories is a key to gaining the correct information and assuring the opposing party that you are well prepared in the case.
In other than exceptional circumstances, nontestifying experts work product is protected. See Hollinger Intern. Inc. vs. Hollinger Inc., 230 F.R.D. 508 (N.D. Ill.2005) and Spearman Industries, Inc. vs. St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co., 128 F. Supp.2d 1148 (N.D. Ill. 2001)
Gregory J. Cahanin, CP as an Expert Consultant has helped to define the focus of cases and educate lawyers on the technical aspects of a case.
Brought in as an Expert Consultant in a condominium case on exterior access walking surface issues, Gregory J. Cahanin’s evaluation of the building and plans found serious design defects in egress, common path of travel, and fire sprinkler protection that changed the character and damages in the case for the plaintiff.
Working with attorneys in another case Gregory J. Cahanin, CP drafted key interrogatory questions on the fire sprinkler installation and design that resulted in a negotiated settlement with the opposing party early in the case.
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