Services

Our experts specialize in determining the cause and extent of damage or failure to industrial, commercial, and residential roofs. We investigate issues arising from design flaws, construction deficiencies, excessive loading, weather events, seismic activity, mechanical damage, and maintenance problems. With extensive experience in analyzing damage from hail, snow, ice, wind, flooding, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes, we are well-equipped to assess a wide range of roof failures.

In addition to forensic evaluations, we offer advanced laboratory services such as desaturation and other analyses through our IAS-accredited testing facility. Your project will be managed by one of our highly trained engineers or architects, for precise and thorough results.

Roof-related engineering assignments:

• Catastrophic and weather-related damage evaluations (hail, wind, UV, snow/ice damming, tornado, hurricane, flood and fire damage)
• Roof reparability versus replacement analysis
• Residential roofs (composition, wood shingle/shake, concrete and clay tile, asbestos, fiber cement, and various synthetic, slate, metal, and more)
• Commercial and industrial roofs (built-up roofing, polymer-modified bitumen roofing, thermoplastic single-ply roofs (PVC and TPO), thermoset plastic single-ply roofs (EPDM, CSPE, PIB), SPF roofing, metal roofing, vegetated (green) roofing, and more)
• Roofing component analysis
• Construction defects
• Design issues
• Manufacturing defects

When an industrial, commercial, or residential structure fails, our civil and structural engineering experts are ready to determine the cause and assess the extent of the damage. Our team has extensive experience investigating failures due to design flaws, construction deficiencies, excessive loading, explosions, fires, weather events, seismic activity, foundation movement, and more.

With a long and respected track record of expertise, we’ve analyzed damage from weather phenomena such as hail, snow, ice, wind, storm surges, flooding, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Our engineers have assessed a wide variety of structures, including industrial complexes, commercial buildings, multi-family developments, agricultural facilities, communication towers, earthen dams, bridges, roadways, major public buildings, and marine vessels and structures. We also evaluate site drainage systems, such as retention ponds and buried drainage structures, to determine if they were properly designed and installed.

Civil/structural engineering assignments:

• Structural integrity assessments
• Residential and commercial property evaluations
• Construction defects, disputes, and accidents
• Moisture intrusion analysis
• Geotechnical evaluations
• Bridge damage analysis (impact, collapse, design issues)
• Industrial and agricultural facilities
• Premise liability evaluations
• Vibration damage evaluations
• Catastrophic and weather-related damage evaluations

Our mechanical engineers and consultants specialize in identifying the causes of failures and damage across a wide range of mechanical equipment. From large industrial machinery, steam and gas turbines, and boilers, to heating and cooling systems, cranes, earthmoving and mining equipment, conveyors, manufacturing equipment, pumps, compressors, piping systems, motor vehicles, and even small home or office appliances—our experts are equipped to handle it all. With extensive knowledge in specialized testing, they design and implement testing programs or create custom equipment when needed to support forensic analysis. For certain mechanical failures, we collaborate with our metallurgist to thoroughly examine failed components.

Our vehicle accident investigation team analyzes accident scenes and involved vehicles to reconstruct the sequence of events before, during, and after a collision. If necessary, our engineers determine whether mechanical failures contributed to or caused the accident.

In addition to failure analysis, our mechanical and metallurgical experts evaluate the performance, design, and installation of mechanical systems. They also assess whether damaged equipment is repairable at a reasonable cost or requires replacement.

Our mechanical engineering and metallurgical work includes:

• Product failure analysis
• Mechanical equipment damage evaluations
• Heavy equipment evaluations
• Crane & lift accident evaluations
• Component-related failure assessments
• Industrial accident and explosion evaluations
• Vehicle accidents and investigations

Our electrical engineers and consultants determine causes for failures and damage to a wide variety of electrical equipment and distribution systems, including power generation stations, large power transformers, smaller distribution transformers, control systems, computers and appliances in industrial facilities, commercial complexes, public buildings, and residential properties. After the initial analysis, our staff details the scope of damage and the costs to repair or rebuild.

Our expertise includes:

• Product failure analysis
• Electrical equipment assessments
• Fire and explosion cause and origin evaluations
• Electrocutions
• Electrical failure analysis

Salas O’Brien’s forensic experts are can solve complex issues involving both architectural design intent and in-field constructability. Our forensic architects evaluate construction defects, standard of care, premise liability, building envelope/moisture intrusion, ADA/code compliance, and provide expert witness and litigation support. Our services include:

• Building Component, Systems, and Equipment Evaluations, including High Performance/Green Building Systems
• Building, Roofing, and Waterproofing Performance Analysis and Testing
• Constructed Condition Evidence Preservation (surveying, GIS, 3D scanning, Matterport, drones, BIM, IR, CAD)
• Contractor Coordination, Sequencing, and Performance Reviews
• Design, Construction, and Maintenance Efficacy Reviews, including Code, ADA, Regulatory, and Construction Document Compliance
• Design Professional Liability Analysis (Standard of Care)
• Premises Liability Evaluations
• Regulated Special Inspections
• Proactive life safety and ADA risk audits
• Proactive Third-Party Design Reviews

We offer expert witness services to support litigation and dispute resolution. With broad expertise in civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and architectural fields, our specialists provide clear, objective, and technically sound testimony. Whether working with plaintiffs or defendants, we simplify complex engineering and architectural findings, making it easier for legal teams, judges, and juries to understand the root causes of failures and damages. Our commitment to thorough investigation and unbiased analysis ensures credible, reliable testimony for a variety of cases, including construction defects and product liability. Learn more

Our team has a deep and sustaining track record of analyzing damage caused by catastrophic events and weather phenomena, including hail, snow, ice, wind, storm surge, flooding, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and more. Our experts are ready to mobilize when a catastrophe strikes. We will be there to establish cause and extent of failure and damage to various types of affected structures, including residential and commercial properties, industrial and agricultural facilities, municipal and other government buildings, electrical and mechanical equipment, machinery, and more. Following a catastrophe, our experts’ analyses assist with safe entry, reduce business interruption, and help get a business or property back on its feet as quickly as possible.

Please note that we do not use temporary employees to “staff up” during catastrophe events. Rest assured that your catastrophe or weather-related assignment will be handled by one of our well-trained, quality experts.

Our group evaluates costs associated with damages, delays and other scheduling issues associated with the a catastrophic event, as well as providing clerk of works and project management services.

Catastrophe and weather-related assignments include:

• Hail and/or wind damage assessments
• Flood damage assessments (including NFIP)
• Repair vs. replacement analysis (including code upgrade assessments)
• Cause of failure/evaluation for potential subrogation
• Wind vs. wave assessments
• Structural integrity assessments
• Moisture intrusion analysis
• Catastrophic and weather-related accidents
• Safe-entry analysis
• Business interruption/access analysis

We consolidate traditional construction and forensic engineering/architecture subject matter experts to provide independent assessment of disputes covering all industry sectors. The consolidation of quantum, scheduling, forensic engineering/architecture and risk management strongly positions us to provide streamlined, unbiased service to insurance and legal clients, as well as owners, developers and contractors.

Applicable construction sectors include, but are not limited to: residential, commercial, heavy civil, industrial, education, environmental, energy, and mining. Learn more

Our forensic engineers, architects, and consultants have extensive experience related to construction defects and related subrogation. We provide expert witness and litigation support to both plaintiff and defense in construction defect lawsuits. We examine the project site, identify defects, review designs, specifications, applicable codes, standards, and other pertinent documents, and establish cause(s) of defects as well as duties and responsibilities of involved parties.

Our experts and architects will determine whether construction defects were caused by improper design or code violations, by use of improper materials, and/or by defective workmanship, improper installation or lack of supervision/skilled labor (among other reasons/causes). Our experts are highly educated, experienced, and trained through coursework and practical experience.

Our experts will examine and scope the extent of a suspected construction defect. We provide the photo documentation, critical damage analysis and accounting to accurately present the facts. But that is just the beginning. Our experts are renowned not only for the accuracy of their information but also for the compelling manner in which they are able to communicate it. For large projects, we can utilize non-intrusive laser imagery and 360 degree photography for accurate and irrefutable documentation and court exhibits.

Our experts will be there to establish cause and extent of failure related to construction, cranes, and heavy equipment. Our staff includes engineers with expertise related to aerial lifts, cranes and rigging, and other heavy machinery.

Our aerial lift experts will examine machinery and accident scenes to find the cause of tip-overs, crushing, striking, electrocution, falls, component failures, and structural failures.

Our crane experts specialize in examining accident scenes, loads, lift plans, weather conditions, and training and communication issues to find an accident’s cause, as well as establishing duties and responsibilities of the parties involved in accordance with national standards.

We will evaluate costs associated with damages, delays and changes and scheduling issues associated with the event, as well as providing clerk of the works and project management services following an accident or weather associated event.

We have construction claim experts who can evaluate the impact of construction incidents on the project’s quantum and schedule. We also have expertise with OSHA and MSHA citations. Our experts have worked extensively for both owners and contractors.

Construction, heavy lifts, and heavy equipment assignments:

• aerial lift accidents (boom lifts, scissor lifts, vehicle-mounted lifts, and towable trailer lifts)
• construction delay claims/disputes
• construction defects (more info here)
• crane accidents (lift planning, accident analysis, rigging failures, dropped/lost load, collapse, overturn, stability issues, training, controls issues, weather-associated events, etc.)
• heavy equipment accidents (telehandlers, excavators, and loaders)
• OSHA citations
• scaffolding collapse/accidents
• component and weld failures
• manufacturing defects/issues
• catastrophic and weather-related accidents

Our experts are experienced energy-industry forensic investigators. We determine the cause of failure, and extent of damage to, a wide range of energy-related machinery, including drilling rigs and equipment, compressors, pumps, piping and valves, cooling systems, cranes and other lifting devices, trucks and transportation equipment, earthmovers, conveyors, wind turbines, solar panel arrays, and more.

Our staff includes not only experienced Professionally-Licensed Engineers, but also a Texas-Licensed Attorney and several Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators.

Additionally, our professionals conduct evaluations to determine whether damaged equipment is economically repairable or should be replaced.

Our energy-related forensics work includes:

• pipeline failures
• drilling rigs and equipment
• fire and explosions
• heavy equipment evaluations
• valves and other equipment
• component-related failure assessments
• industrial accident and explosion evaluations
• vehicle accidents and investigations