Structural Engineer Expert Witness
Structural engineer expert witnesses are specialized civil engineers whose expertise is valuable to the trier of fact in a legal dispute. By education, examination, licensure, and experience a structural engineer obtains the qualities which allow him or her to provide expertise regarding the integrity of our built environment. He or she forms an expert opinion about a specific issue based on observation, testing, research, calculations, analysis, and the resulting conclusions. These professionals express that opinion in a written/sealed engineering report, and at times in verbal testimony in legal settings.
Hearing: San Francisco
Expert witness at a hearing in San Francisco, California, before the California Public Utilities Commission, regarding a proposed transmission line by Southern California Edison for the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project.
Work entailed reviewed existing data requests, generated new data requests, and responding to opposing counsel’s data requests.
Researched pricing, engineering specifications, markets, material supply and availability, project management, geotechnical conditions, and other factors.
Performed a statistical analysis and consulted with other experts.
Prepared a report and issued an errata when errors in the consulting expert’s data were discovered.
Attended and testified at the three-day hearing.
Hearing: California Public Utilities Commission
Expert witness at a hearing in San Francisco, California, before the California Public Utilities Commission, regarding a proposed transmission line by Southern California Edison for the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project.
Reviewed existing data requests, generated new data requests, and responded to opposing counsel’s data requests. Researched pricing, engineering specifications, markets, material supply and availability, project management, geotechnical conditions, and other factors. Performed a statistical analysis and consulted with other experts.
Prepared a report and issued an errata when errors in the consulting expert’s data were discovered.
Attended and testified at the three-day hearing.
Hearing: Graham County, Arizona
Forensic engineer and expert witness investigating the structural integrity of a house to withstand high wind loads and water intrusion. Visited the site, performed calculations, conducted research, and prepared two reports outlining study and conclusions. Testified at deposition and three times at trial regarding my opinions and conclusions.
Link to explanation of trial:
http://www.jaburgwilk.com/jaburg-wilk-wins-unanimous-defense-verdict-for-usaa
Deposition: Maricopa County, Arizona
Forensic engineer and expert witness regarding the structural integrity of a masonry wall subject to moisture intrusion and vulnerable to collapse from wind in Scottsdale, Arizona. Visited the site with multiple attorneys and other experts, performed scanning of the wall and excavation of the foundation, performed calculations, conducted research, reviewed the building code and commentary, and prepared one report outlining the study and conclusions and two rebuttal reports. Testified at deposition
Deposition: Clark County, Nevada
Forensic engineer and expert witness regarding wind damage to a roof in Henderson, Nevada. Visited the site twice, obtained roof tile samples to submit for both destructive and non-destructive testing, performed wind load and capacity calculations, conducted research, studied wind funneling, and prepared two reports outlining the study and conclusions. Testified at deposition.
Endorsements
Marcor Platt provided expert witness services as an engineer in a proceeding before the California Public Utilities Commission where the feasibility, design, and estimated costs of a 4 mile long 230 kV underground transmission line were at issue. His expertise was essential in conducting discovery to learn the details of a utility transmission proposal and in providing testimony supporting two additional miles of underground transmission to preserve an important commercial development for the City of Jurupa Valley. His work showed great attention to detail and he was an excellent witness on the stand. His contributions were very helpful in obtaining a successful conclusion to the case.
-Michael B. Day, Partner, Downey Brand, LLP
I worked with Marcor Platt, when he was employed by Wright Engineering in Phoenix Arizona, on a project in one of our buildings in downtown Scottsdale. Around March of 2020, while in the process of completing a tenant improvement project for a new restaurant, we discovered that the subject building was constructed with deficient loads for public assembly/restaurant use; and would require a structural retrofit to address both flexural and punching shear issues. Marcor was the lead engineer on the project and was very diligent not only in his initial assessment of the load deficiencies, but also in his approach to navigating the requirements of the city building code and IBC standards. Upon determining that multiple areas of the building would need to be addressed, Marcor led a team of engineers and contractors through several iterations of design and engineering to arrive at the most efficient, safe and cost-effective approach to retro-fitting the building. From initial discovery to project completion, the retrofit took about 9 months, which given the complexity of the project and the myriad parties involved, was really quite impressive. Marcor did an excellent job coordinating the various parties and maintaining a work product of the highest standard.
Brian Cousins
Chief Operating Officer – RBB Properties 2, LLC
Marcor Platt is always my first choice for a Forensic Engineer. I retained Marcor in an insurance bad faith case arising from a homeowners insurance claim plaintiffs made after a wind and rain storm. Marcor conducted a thorough site inspection, prepared an excellent (and easy-to-read) report, and was an outstanding expert witness at trial. The jury love him! He explained difficult concepts to the jury in a humble, comprehensible way and held up exceptionally well under rigorous cross examination.
-Nate Meyer:Shareholder
I worked with Mr. Platt as an expert witness in a case where we needed his review and testimony related to engineering issues, particularly with regard to the construction and repair of residential real property. I found his inspection to be extraordinarily thorough, and that was reflected in his well-written report and the numerous photos he provided. We were unable to resolve the case and had to go to trial. I found Mr. Platt’s testimony to the jury to be extremely helpful. He delivered the information in a clear and concise manner, and he certainly was better prepared and provided much better testimony than the other side’s trial expert. I found him very easy to work with in preparing for trial and was very pleased with the testimony we received. We polled the jury after the verdict in our favor, and they were uniform in their comments that his presentation was clear, informative, and helpful to them in reaching their verdict. I was impressed with his demeanor, and found him extremely helpful in preparing for not only his examination, but helping me to prepare to examine other witnesses. I would recommend his expert services to anyone needed a well prepared trial expert.
-Tom Morning, Partner, Jaburg Wilk