forensic services

I-ENG-A® members provide expert forensic engineering services to support the insurance and legal communities. From property loss to complex construction or mechanical failures, our members deliver timely, reliable, and objective analyses to help clarify coverage, liability, and repair needs.

Property Loss

Property Loss Assessment is central to evaluating fire, water, storm, or other perils. I-ENG-A members provide objective findings to help adjusters and attorneys determine the extent of damage, cause of damage, and repair scope for accurate claims resolution.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Wind, hail, or storm damage
  • Water damage origin and duration
  • Non-structural damage evaluation
  • Appraisal and scope-of-damage disputes
  • Vehicle impact damage assessment

Building Envelope & Water Intrusion

Construction defects may result from workmanship errors, substandard materials, or design deviations. I-ENG-A members evaluate these issues to determine responsibility, clarify coverage, and guide remediation or dispute resolution.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Workmanship and installation errors
  • Material and product deficiencies
  • Structural and foundation deficiencies
  • Design and code compliance issues
  • Deviations affecting building performance

Construction Defect

Construction defects may result from workmanship errors, substandard materials, or design deviations. I-ENG-A members evaluate these issues to determine responsibility, clarify coverage, and guide remediation or dispute resolution.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Workmanship and installation errors
  • Material and product deficiencies
  • Structural and foundation deficiencies
  • Design and code compliance issues
  • Deviations affecting building performance

Structural Failure

Structural failures, such as collapses or compromised integrity, require specialized analysis. I-ENG-A members identify contributing factors to support coverage, subrogation, and claims decisions.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Collapsed beams, trusses, or joists
  • Floor, roof, deck, and balcony failures
  • Lateral or vertical displacement
  • Corroded or weakened steel components
  • Concrete cracking or spalling
  • Settlement, tilting, or infrastructure failures

Mechanical & Electrical Failure

Mechanical or electrical failures can trigger fires or business interruption. I-ENG-A members investigate malfunctions to determine causation, liability, and repair or replacement needs.

Common Investigations Include:

  • HVAC system failures
  • Electrical panel or wiring malfunctions
  • Machinery or equipment failures
  • Generator or transformer failures
  • Plumbing leaks, freezing, or corrosion
  • Fire from electrical shorts or overloads
  • Building automation or refrigeration system failures

Environmental & Civil

Environmental and civil issues, including site conditions and regulatory compliance, can impact claims outcomes. I-ENG-A members assess interactions between the built and natural environment to clarify liability.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Site grading and drainage deficiencies
  • Erosion or slope instability
  • Soil contamination
  • Floodplain or wetland damage
  • Regulatory compliance violations
  • Sewer or storm system failures
  • Groundwater intrusion affecting structures

Geotechnical & Foundation

Foundation and soil-related problems can lead to complex property claims. I-ENG-A members evaluate soil stability, settlement, and subsurface conditions to provide evidence for liability determination.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Improper soil compaction or fill
  • Differential settlement and structural damage
  • Foundation settlement, heaving, or lateral movement
  • Slope instability and landslide causation
  • Retaining wall failure
  • Sinkhole or subsurface void investigations
  • Pavement failures (asphalt, concrete)

Origin & Cause (Fire & Explosion)

Determining fire or explosion origin is critical to claims evaluation. I-ENG-A members apply NFPA 921 standards and scientific methods to identify ignition sources, supporting coverage and subrogation decisions.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Electrical fires
  • Arson or vandalism
  • Gas leaks or explosions
  • Combustible material ignition
  • Lightning strikes
  • Chemical or industrial reactions
  • Kitchen, cooking, or machinery fires

Product Liability & Evaluations

Product failures can cause property damage or injury claims. I-ENG-A members assess whether failures result from design, manufacturing, or misuse, providing technical evidence to clarify liability.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Defective appliances or equipment
  • Faulty building materials
  • Malfunctioning industrial machinery
  • Automotive component failures
  • Fire or explosion from product defects
  • Consumer product safety failures
  • Material defect analysis (e.g., metallurgical failure)

Accident Reconstruction

Accident reconstruction clarifies the sequence and causes of incidents. I-ENG-A members provide evidence-based analysis to support liability and claims evaluation.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Vehicle collisions (cars, trucks, motorcycles)
  • Pedestrian or cyclist incidents
  • Machinery or industrial accidents
  • Slip-and-fall incidents
  • Elevator or escalator failures
  • Workplace or construction site accidents

Expert Witness & Litigation Support

When claims advance to litigation, I-ENG-A members serve as qualified expert witnesses and provide litigation support. They communicate technical findings clearly to help legal teams present defensible evidence.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Analysis of prior vs. claimed damage
  • Review of opposing expert reports
  • Verification of structural or mechanical failures
  • Assessment of repair or remediation needs
  • Subrogation support
  • Joint inspection scheduling and management

Catastrophe (CAT) Response

After large-scale disasters, timely assessment of widespread damage is critical. I-ENG-A members mobilize rapidly to evaluate properties, determine cause-of-loss vs. pre-existing conditions, and provide insurers with documentation to efficiently process claims.

Common Investigations Include:

  • Wind, hail, tornado, hurricane, or storm damage
  • Flood and water intrusion evaluation
  • Earthquake or seismic damage
  • Fire aftermath inspections
  • Roof, siding, and structural damage surveys
  • Large-scale debris and infrastructure assessment