Forensic Engineering - How does the story end?

[JAE]

Launching off Ron's recent case-history post, it got me to thinking.

In most cases where I get called in to be an "expert" for a client, insurance company, lawyer, etc. I do my engineering - investigate, require testing, write a report, answer questions, etc.
Then I'm usually supposed to go away - and I rarely get told what the settlement is as they are usually kept confidential.

Ron's case study indicated a settlement amount and I think a response indicated one other as well.

Do you usually get told how it "all turns out" on these types of issues?

 

[msquared48]

Never heard any outcomes here...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[hokie66]

It depends. The lawyers know, and whether or not they will tell you depends on your relationship with them. Confidentiality agreements are unfortunate, as they not only forbid knowledge of the monetary settlement, but often prevent dissemination of worthwhile technical findings. When a case is actually decided by a court, then there is usually much better access to amounts and findings. I misstated in Ron's thread...the case I referred to was settled by only some of the parties, with the major part of the amount being a court award.

 

[Ron]

JAE...I don't always know the outcome either. The reason I know this one and several others is my post-litigation involvement with the remediation design. Other wise I'm in the same boat....no clue as to outcome.

 

[magoo2]

Usually my lawyer contact orchestrates my involvement (foreensic anysis to expert witness testimony) with each case even though it's ultimately an insurance company that is the ultimate client. So far I've been very fortunate to learn of the disposition of each case. I've probably dealt with about 6 different legal firms over the past 15 years. You can always ask. They may not answer!