Hawkins - Forensic Investigators

TYPES OF ENGINEERING LOSS WE DEAL WITH

Engineering losses are perhaps the most complex to categorise, ranging as they do from road traffic accidents to product liability and from structural failures to electrical malfunctions. We are experienced in investigating losses in the following sectors:

Mechanical

Electrical

Process

Transport

Construction

Chemical

Examples of recent cases include:

Failure leading to a fire and explosion at an oil depot

Collapse of a concrete tank due to corrosion of the steel reinforcing bars

An accident on a log flume amusement park ride

A fault causing an unexpected discharge of a halon fire extinguishing system

Crane failure

Failure of switchgear at a TV transmitter station

Failure of a blow moulding machine

Access cradle failure on a motorway bridge causing 5 fatalities

WHY APPOINT A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR?

We have a good knowledge of typical policy covers and the information we provide assists clients with decisions on:

Policy liability

Breach of warranties

Breach of Policy conditions

Recovery

Much of our work in this field centres on establishing the facts, where possible and providing informed, professional opinion where dispute remains. We are independent and impartial and we are instructed by both Claimant and Defendant solicitors and insurers. We work within the relevant Civil Procedure Rules and are effectively agents of the Court in all work we do.

Our clients are especially interested in causation when establishing liability and subrogation opportunities. It may be clear that the crane collapsed but was this due to:

Lack of maintenance

Operator error

Overloading

Failure of a weld

A faulty replacement part?

If so, is your client liable for the subsequent damage or injury? Was there contributory negligence or is recovery of your outlay a realistic proposition? In case of dispute how do you prove this to the court without the services of an experienced and articulate forensic expert.

HOW DOES HAWKINS INVESTIGATE ENGINEERING LOSSES?

The forensic investigator will collect and evaluate all the available physical evidence and this often leads to analysis of failed parts in our laboratories. As part of our investigation we might study engineering drawings and specifications, contact the manufacturer to obtain operating instructions and installation or maintenance manuals.

The forensic investigator will collect and evaluate all the available physical evidence and this often leads to analysis of failed parts in our laboratories, studying engineering drawings and specifications or to contacting the manufacturer to obtain operating, instructions, installation or maintenance manuals.

Liaison with official agencies is often an important part of engineering investigations particularly where there are injuries or fatalities. Hawkins is well versed in handling losses involving the Police, the Fire Brigade and the HSE.