RECENT PRESS RELEASES:

July 2010 - Dr. Grantham to present The Forensic Engineer Caught “Holding Harmless” at the NAFE Conference in Orlando, FL. Read the original article ... more ...

January 2010 - Dr. Jesse A. Grantham voted in as President of The Ohio State University Welding Engineering Alumni Society ... more

The Forensic Engineer Caught “Holding Harmless”
by Dr. Jesse A. Grantham, P.E. 6/29/10

“The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught”. 
          - H.L. Mencken

As a Forensic Engineer, I have experienced speaking in an otherwise silent courtroom.  It was humbling and awesome when I explained an event as an authority on that subject.  I also answered questions from a cross-examining lawyer about a litigious matter, with a potential settlement in the millions of dollars, in front of a judge, jury and court reporters.  As the expert witness I was duty bound to listen to the question and respond with my expert opinion.

Consider these key words in the title:

• The – singular, authoritative, one and only, or unique.
• Forensic Engineer - applies the art and science of engineering in matters which are in, or may possibly relate to, the jurisprudence system, inclusive of alternative dispute resolution.
• Caught - to snare, to entangle, to seize, and to take captive in a snare or net, or on a hook; as to catch a bird or fish.
• Holding Harmless – assumption of liability through contractual agreement by one party, thereby eliminating liability on the part of another party.

Introduction

Forensic Engineering requires a good reputation, proven technical prowess, and precise communication skills.  The novice Forensic Engineer quickly learns that to financially survive, business management savvy is required and not solely engineering talent.  The success or failure of any business is impacted by cash flow, taxes, and liability insurance.  Forensic Engineering is a risky business venture.

Most Forensic Engineer’s are seasoned, somewhat financially stable and pursue their vocation with a passion.  Forensic Engineer’s are generally experienced individuals who are settled, established and have a long professional history working in industry.  Forensic Engineer’s have General Liability Insurance and Errors & Omissions (E & O) Insurance for their business.  Forensic Engineer’s are a target for the legal community and the subject of frequent ethics debates among Professional Engineers.

Over the years I have observed that in my conversations with professionals (lawyers, accountants, physicians, educators, etc.) I can detect when they have attended a professional seminar, read a new book or taken a short course about a trendy topic.  It seems that all of a sudden, the person has a new perspective or a different attitude about a business subject.  The Forensic Engineer gains “hands-on” business skills, as the owner, sole proprietor or partner, and should also learn and use timely business strategies to make good decisions about liability, taxes and insurance.  To keep up with the ever-changing world of business, the Forensic Engineer should regularly attend professional seminars, read contemporary books and associate with fellow Forensic Engineers.

Legal disputes arise because of disagreements between opposing parties, often about money.  Forensic Engineer’s are hired to participate in these disputes because engineering expertise is needed to identify and sort engineering facts about technical issues for a personal injury, noncompliance with a contract, or compliance with an accepted code, standard or specification.  read more ....

Environmentally Tragic Events for Exxon and BP

What were initially tragic occurrences can become a positive turning point for business management with regard to safety and contingency planning.  Exxon was cited as an example of industry safety in an article from the New York Times.  It was reported that before the Deepwater Horizon accident, the embodiment of a disastrous oil spill was the 1989 grounding of the Exxon Valdez, which led to a profound rethinking of safety management at the company.  And now, Exxon stands out among its peers for its obsessive attention to safety, according to analysts and industry insiders.

The Times cites a case that bears many similarities to the Deepwater Horizon incident, in which Exxon's safety system prevented what might have been a very serious accident, according to Exxon officials.  While drilling the Blackbeard exploration well in the Gulf of Mexico, the company came within 2,000 feet of an elephant field of around a billion barrels of oil and gas, but the drilling team was getting nervous, and Exxon chairman and CEO Rex W. Tillerson eventually sided with the drillers. The well was capped and abandoned, and Exxon wrote off Blackbeard as a $187 million dry hole.

At WJMG safety in welding and welding business management is an “all the time” consideration. 

Consider the possibilities.

It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over!

You never know when a finished project can come back to haunt the participants and their insurance.  A former Dallas Cowboys player is seeking damages for injuries from the training facility collapse that happened during a thunder storm last year.  The former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jamar Hunt who was inside the team's indoor practice facility when it collapsed last year contends the accident caused a career-ending injury, and is seeking unspecified damages from the builder and companies operated by team owner Jerry Jones.  The former player, who was on the Cowboys' roster as a rookie free agent last spring, said in a court filing that he suffered 'serious, disabling and permanent injuries' when the tent-like structure fell.   Hunt was cut by the Cowboys before training camp last year and has yet to catch on with another NFL team. His defense attorney said Hunt suffered a herniated disk in his neck when a steel support landed on him. 

As a Forensic Engineer I am involved in cases that are old, from one year to nine years after the tragic event happens.  I have written books on “Choices and “Spoliation” which is directed to the welding community managers.  Contact my office to order a copy,  Jesse .

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