News & Insights

Salas O’Brien experts will join insurance and claims professionals from across the country at the PLRB 2026 Claims Conference, where they will contribute to sessions focused on the technical challenges behind complex property claims. Through real-world examples and collaborative discussions with industry peers, the team will share practical approaches that help insurers, adjusters, and legal teams evaluate damage, interpret evidence, and make more informed claim decisions.

Their sessions span three critical areas of claims evaluation: weather data analysis, construction defect investigation, and hail damage assessment.

Fred Campagna, director of Forensic Meteorology, will join fellow presenters to examine how meteorological data supports the investigation of weather-related losses. This session draws on case studies to highlight key weather data sources, explain the limitations of radar-based estimates, and demonstrate how forensic meteorology can help clarify disputed events and strengthen claim evaluations.

Ahmad Elhajj, PE, M.ASCE, senior forensic engineer, will collaborate with panelists to explore how construction defect claims move from investigation to resolution. The session will highlight critical decision points and the value of early collaboration between technical experts, insurers, and legal counsel.

Amber Prom, PE, director of Curriculum, will co-present on the challenges of evaluating hail damage to metal roofing systems. Attendees will see how hail impacts metal roofs and why distinguishing cosmetic effects from functional damage is critical to guiding accurate claim decisions.

These sessions will highlight the depth of Salas O’Brien’s forensic expertise and the role technical insight plays in helping claims professionals navigate complex property losses.

Session details

Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24 | 1:30 p.m. EST, 8:30 a.m. EST
Construction Defects: It’s [Not] All Bad!
Ahmad Elhajj, Salas O’Brien
Jay Hamad, Kennedys
William Moehl, United Fire Group Insurance

Monday, March 23 and Wednesday, March 25 | 4 p.m. EST, 9 a.m. EST
Forensic Meteorology: Uses & Limitations
Fred Campagna, Salas O’Brien
Eli Marger, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Carlos Cagadas, Sompo

Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25 | 1:30 p.m. EST
Dings, Dents & Dilemmas: Differentiating Functional vs. Cosmetic Damage and Applying Coverage
Amber Prom, Salas O’Brien
Jim Chaney, RENFROE

About PLRB Claims Conference

The 2026 Claims Conference & Insurance Services Expo will explore how exceptional service lies at the heart of our industry and why the insurance sector remains an essential pillar of modern society. Together, we will embrace innovation, invest in education and training for the future, and lead during times of uncertainty with a renewed commitment to customer experience. Join us as we chart a path forward, demonstrating how the claims profession not only protects but also empowers individuals, businesses, and entire economies to thrive. Learn more here.

About Salas O’Brien

Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact®, helping clients solve complex engineering challenges with a focus on efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability, while advancing our team members through growth and opportunity. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.

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