SR Vol 27 No 4, October 2009 - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

Forensic Engineering Servicesfor Civil Litigation LawyersGeotechnology Ltd. is a consulting engineering firm that provides forensic civil engineering, geotechnical, foundationand environmental engineering services to civil litigation lawyers and insurance personnel.Forensic Engineering ExperienceGeotechnology has 36 years engineering investigative experience in Atlantic Canada, western and northern Canada,offshore, and overseas in the UK, Australia and the Caribbean.We have investigated and determined the cause, and assisted in establishing fault, for the six main types of problems anddamage experienced by buildings, civil engineering structures, and property: 1. Structural Collapse and Failure; 2.Architectural Finish; 3. Functional and Serviceability; 4. Hidden Damage; 5. Monetary Losses, Construction Delays and CostOverruns; and, 6. Environmental Contamination.Engineering and environmental investigations have been completed for most types of civil engineering structures: Buildings;Bridges; Wharves and Harbour Works; Towers, Storage Tanks; Dams; Pipelines; Drainage Works; Embankments andEarthworks; Tunnels; Highways; and Motor Vehicle and Industrial Accidents.Professional QualificationsEric Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng., president of Geotechnology Ltd., has a Master’s degree in geotechnical and foundationengineering from the University of Birmingham, England. He has a first degree in civil engineering from the University ofNew Brunswick, and a diploma in land surveying from the College of Geographic Sciences, NS.Mr. Jorden writes impartial, unbiased reports and opinions based on the facts. His reports are clear, concise and easilyunderstood by non-technical readers. He has published a number of engineering papers and co-authored a book on soils,groundwater and foundation investigation. Mr. Jorden has been qualified by the courts as an expert witness. He is credibleand composed when giving expert testimony, and under cross-examination.Forensic Engineering Services(Case management follows project management principles to ensure thorough, cost effective forensic engineeringinvestigations).1. Preliminary Forensic Engineering Services• Assess the technical strengths, weaknesses and merits of a claim for damages based on existing data andinformation. Outline the scope of a thorough investigation of the problem, if justified by the initial assessment.2. Main Forensic Engineering Services• Carry out field work and laboratory testing to investigate the cause of the problem, the damage to a building orcivil engineering structure, or the reason for the contaminated soil and groundwater. Review engineeringdrawings, and applicable engineering and environmental regulations, codes and standards of good practice.• Analyze, interpret and evaluate the data and investigation findings. Develop conclusions and formulate opinion.• Determine the cause of the damage, or the reason for the contamination.• Recommend and design repair and remedial work. Evaluate repair and remedial costs.3. Additional Forensic Engineering Services• Assist counsel finalize evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the damage claim based on the findings ofthe forensic engineering investigation.• Help develop litigation strategy for discovery and trial; litigation support.• Develop lines of questioning for testimony and cross-examination, including questions not to ask.• Attend discovery and trial, assist counsel by listening to opposing witnesses and experts, identify flaws and errors,and the strengths and weaknesses of opposing testimony, develop additional lines of questioning.• Testify as an expert witness at discovery and trial• Review and audit engineering investigations and environmental assessments and reports by others; dispute resolution.More InformationContact Eric Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng. at Geotechnology Ltd. for more information: Curriculum vitae;fees; publications and major reports; list of forensic engineering and major investigations; typicalengineering investigations for design and construction, and environmental assessments for siteremediation; professional activities; technical associations.Geotechnology Ltd.Forensic EngineersCivil, Geotechnical, Foundation and Environmental Engineers23 Roslyn Dr., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2W 2M2Tel: (902) 435-4939Fax: (902) 435-5840E-mail: ejorden@eastlink.caEric Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng.Forensic EngineerConsultingProfessional Engineer2 The Society Record