Electrical Engineer Explosions Expert Witness

Professional Profile

I am a registered Electrical Engineer, currently in private practice, with 30 years of experience. I have performed investigations, evaluations, research, technical analysis, report preparation and provided deposition testimony for claims concerning electrical fires, accidents, explosions, electrocutions and the resulting damages to persons and/or property.  Areas of experience in expert witness and forensic engineering consulting include:

Fires: Evaluation of the cause of fires of electrical origin, occurring at electrical wiring, wiring devices, utility lines, transformers, panel boards, switchgear, light fixtures and electrical appliances.

Electrocution and Shocks: Analysis of causation of injuries resulting from contact with electrical wiring, power distribution equipment, wiring devices and electrical/electronic devices.

Lightning Strikes: Identification and analysis of lightning strike and the evaluation of subsequent damage.  Review of the lightning protection and grounding installations, with respect to their compliance with applicable codes.

Lighting: Field lighting level measurements and the evaluation of these lighting levels and compliance with applicable codes.

Construction Claims: Analysis of delays, damages, bids, payment breakdowns, change order negotiation, scheduling, contract document interpretation, value engineering and design review for commercial, institutional, residential, and industrial and transportation construction projects.

Through professional associations with consulting engineering firms, both in the design office and the field, as well working in contracting as an electrical estimator and project manager, I have acquired skills in insurance inspections and claims work, forensic engineering, build ability studies and technical review.  In addition, I have considerable electrical estimating experience, ranging from conceptual design through construction for both contractors and engineers/owners.  I have attended workshops for NFPA 921: Fire & Explosion Investigations, Residential Home Inspections and CPM project scheduling.

I have provided technical Electrical Estimating, Construction Management and Electrical Design services to major organizations such as: NYC School Construction Authority, Port Authority of NY and NJ, Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, Absolute Electrical Contracting, Faithful and Gould Inc., ICS Engineering, International Valuation and Inspection, AMCC Corp., VJ Associates, Nasco Construction Services and IBM.

Projects that I have been associated with include:

-Provided deposition testimony as electrical expert in $3 million residential house fire lawsuit.
-Evaluation of $4 Million Brooklyn Navy Yard Claim for site damage as a result of a major storm.
-Electrical expert for Motor City Electric construction dispute, resulting in $1.5M settlement for client.
-Electrical estimating and value engineering for on-going World Trade Center Redevelopment projects.
-Electrical Estimate for $1 Billion American Airlines Terminal @ Kennedy Airport Rehabilitation
-Estimating and Project Management for $18 million NYCTA Station Power and Lighting Upgrade Project.
-Electrical Estimate for $200 million Con Edison East River Relocation 500 MW Generator project.
-Design of Nassau County Sewage Pump Stations and Peekskill Raw Water Pumping Station.
-Electrical Estimate and Value Engineering for $1 Billion Yankee Stadium Project.
-Engineer’s Estimate for $12 million NYCTA Grand Central Station Power and Lighting Upgrade
-Estimating and negotiating change orders and claims for LIRR Maintenance Facility Project.
-Estimating and negotiating change orders for IBM Headquarters project in Armonk, NY.

1996 to Present
President, Electrical Engineering Consulting Practice: Electrical consulting services including forensic engineering, litigation consultant, electrical estimating, electrical design, design review and project management.

Prior to entering private practice in 1996, I have been involved in numerous projects during my career, including the following:

(1994 to 1996)  Electrical EstimatorProject Manager,  Absolute Electrical Contracting, NYC estimating and project management of MTA construction projects ranging to $50 million, including Station Power and Lighting Upgrades, Power Rectifier Substations, Metro North 13.8KV Substations, Fan Plants and Communications.

1992 to 1994
Project Engineer, Hartmann and Concessi Engineers, NYC-duties included the design of electrical, telecommunications and fire alarm systems including site survey, preparation of contract documentation and construction inspection.

1992 to 1994
Consultant Liaison, Hartmann and Concessi Engineers, NYC – liaison between the consultant and insurance agencies to determine cause and origin of electrical fires, accidents, electrocutions and resulting damage to persons and property.

1989 to 1992
Electrical Engineer, Cashin Associates, PC, Plainview, NY – duties included design and drafting of electrical systems for the building division, preparation of contract documents, and construction inspection.   Projects included renovation and new construction of office complexes, service buildings, garages, health care and recreational facilities.

1989 to 1992
Insurance Liason, Cashin Associates, PC, Plainview, NY – servicing bonding companies on construction management and analysis of claims.

1987 to 1989
Assistant Project Manager, F. Levinson Electrical Contractors, NYC – Technical responsibilities included design, inspection and management of commercial and public projects, as well as estimating, change orders claims, purchasing, billing and extensive client contact.

Affiliations

• Member, National Society of Professional Engineers
• Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
• Member, National Association of Fire Investigators
• Member, International Association of Arson Investigators

Education / Registration

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo
Registered Professional Engineer – New York, Maine