Expert witness needed

307TurboFire

Written report and opinion and possible live testimony needed for possible steam boiler litigation.

If interested, please reply to randomnon@ix.netcom.com.

Fred

You might want to give some background on the circumstances and remember, an expert witness' report may be beneficial or not, depending on which side of the of the table you sit.

Jamie Hall

And be ready to pay: an expert witness -- at least when I've been one -- is not on a contingency basis and the fee (retainer payable in advance) is enough to make your eyes water...

307TurboFire

Yes. Residential. Lawyer. Thank-you.

307TurboFire

Northern N.J.

nibs

Have been an expert witness, my charge out yardstick was the same rate as the highest paid lawyer on either side.
PS..... am no longer available, it is not nice work.

307TurboFire

Is having a failed boiler a "nice" time?

If you can read the installation manual, you can handle this.

Jamie Hall

nibs said:

Have been an expert witness, my charge out yardstick was the same rate as the highest paid lawyer on either side.
PS..... am no longer available, it is not nice work.

Amen, brother @nibs . Been there, done that, nice check, never again.

clammy

If it is in northern nj good 9 outta 10 boilers are install wrong and the other fails due to system leaks and make up water . Seems most get sticker shock n go cheap or get hood wink .as other say whatever the lawyers getting your expert witness should be at least the same rate .Just remember u may not be able to point the finger to one party .just curisiuos how old was the boiler if over a year good luck peace and good luck clammy

SlamDunk

307TurboFire said:

Is having a failed boiler a "nice" time?

If you can read the installation manual, you can handle this.

If you have an installation manual, photos, and service records, why would you need an expert witness?

you could post photos of what you have to see if you have a case. Opinions posted here wont hold hold up in court but itthey are free

SlamDunk

they are free

and expert

nicholas bonham-carter

I suggest you post a description of the problem here, and see what all the experts here would say.
If this is a new install, then it is quite likely the installation was not done:
1. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, at a minimum.
2. Using commonly accepted steam pro practices.
3. According to local mechanical codes.
4. Using the required materials for piping etc.—NBC

Leonard

Having had to sue a commercial tenant for building damages I think I know what the lawyer needs.

HE needs an unbiased expert in this field . And of course in court the opposing lawyer will try to poke holes in your statements. And twist things to make you sound wrong. So have to be pretty competent and knowledgeable about your field. And have broad shoulders , and refute their arguments if they are wrong.

Alternately the lawyer might get a state licensed professional engineer ( PE). ( I never got around to taking final PE test, didn't need it for my work)

Jamie Hall

To second what @Leonard just said -- yes, a person with a relevant PE certification is almost mandatory. Said individual also needs to have impeccable credentials in the specific field of testimony. They need to be articulate, and able to explain things accurately and concisely in lay terminology. They need to know when to shut up. And so on.

We don't talk price here -- but just to give you an idea, the last expert witness job which I was involved with cost the client about as much as a really good new car -- and was a pretty simple case. I might add that if you could get an expert to testify on a contingency basis, they would get destroyed -- conflict of interest.

Leonard

Price may sound high, but takes lot of skill, maturity, to pull it off successfully.

AGREE !!! ....... articulate, accurate, concise, layman terminology .

Not lot of people have knowledge and all those skills. Comes with age and experience. Hard part will likely be finding person with those skills and a PE , but broad experience can substitute for PE license.

Having a PE is an easy sell that you know the engineering, having everyday experience in heating problems is a VERY VERY different matter. If I bothered to take last PE test I'ld have a PE , BUT all of you guys know MUCH MORE about practical heating problems than I know. For me heating is a side interest, I'm a mechanical engineer --gyroscopes. PE licenses tend to be specific to certain broad areas of Engineering: Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Electrical .......

PE license is basically state saying you passed their written tests, have responsible charge work experience, and have been recommended by 2 other 2 PEs. Most PEs have at least a BS degree , state does not require that, but you better be able to do the engineering on a BS level to pass their tests ( ie --- BSME)

GW

I did my first 'expert witness' experience last year, I aced the deposition and that was it! Settled!

307TurboFire

Folks, I appreciate your comments, but bear in mind the following:

1. *I* am the lawyer;
2. I know that hiring an expert witness costs money;
3. I am not asking for opinions here;
4. I am not posting any details about the case;
6. All you need to know is whether you are near Northern N.J. or not and that it is a residential steam boiler;
7. Even though I am a lawyer, I can read an installation manual;
8. Yes, in theory, I might be able to point to the installation manual and photos in conjunction with the Holohan treatise, which I have read, but in the very unlikely event it goes to trial, the judge will want to hear from an expert witness;
9. All we need for now is a written report, and 100-to-1, that is probably all we will ever need, so it is probably not going to cost a car.

Thank-you for your kind attention.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Well said.

SlamDunk

I thought we lost you 307.

I think we all would like to see incompetence cleaned up and customers wronged to receive justice but your first couple post came across as if they were written by a, well,- a lawyer speaking to his paralegal.

Maybe a more tactful approach?

Gordy

The construction industry is fraught with unscrupulous contractors taking homeowners money, and leaving the homeowner holding the bag. Good luck with your case.

Fred

Oops @Gordy , He doesn't want "opinions" please keep that in mind. He is a Lawyer, after all.

Gordy

Not an opinion, fact..

Dan_NJ

307TurboFire said:

...
4. I am not posting any details about the case;
6. All you need to know is whether you are near Northern N.J. or not and that it is a residential steam boiler;
...

Seem to missing #5

GW

Does someone want to make some dough or not GEESH give the guy a break, I did some research on this- send me a message if anyone wants some input, there's ways to deal with issues. I think we are too afraid to say what we want at times.

GW

SlamDunk said:

I thought we lost you 307.

I think we all would like to see incompetence cleaned up and customers wronged to receive justice but your first couple post came across as if they were written by a, well,- a lawyer speaking to his paralegal.

Maybe a more tactful approach?

Slam just cause he doesn't talk like a heat guy doesn't mean he's a bad guy, he is just asking a simple question and people are giving him grief.

Tinman

I agree with @GW, some times we come across as the judge, jury, and executioner.

Jamie Hall

I have to admit that my reaction to the initial post was -- oops. Here's a disgruntled homeowner looking to sue some one. Given the clarification -- might not be a bad gig. Except that I'm not registered or licensed for anything in New Jersey...

EzzyT

I’ve never been an expert witness but have given my input and related info on situations that we’re settled out of court.
@307TurboFire private message me or you can reach me at 201-887-8856. I am located in northern NJ.