Category: Fire Investigation Expert Witness
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Fire Investigation Expert Witness Was Allowed to Opine on the Defective Candle
Plaintiffs Robert and Jill Motto brought this action to recover for property damage to their home arising from a fire allegedly caused by a defective candle manufactured and sold by Defendants Newell Brands and The Yankee Candle Company. During the litigation, Plaintiffs retained two experts, Roger Spadt and Dr. John Golder, to investigate the origin…
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Fire Investigation Expert’s Analysis of Burn Patterns Admitted
Defendants owned and managed an apartment complex called The Trails at Flat Rock in Columbus, Georgia. In October of 2022, a fire occurred in Building A of the apartment complex. Kevin Ford, who was staying in unit A-24 with tenant Anthony Thorpe, died in the fire. Plaintiff, the administrator of Ford’s estate, asserted negligence claims…
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Fire Investigation Expert’s Testimony About a Missing Orifice Admitted
On January 21, 2021, a fire destroyed Jacqueline Flynn’s home located at 7618 Craig Court in Orlando, Florida. The Plaintiff purchased a Thermacell Patio Shield on the day of the fire. Since the Patio Shield was the only energized device in use on the balcony at the time of the fire, the Plaintiff filed her…
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Fire Investigation Expert’s Opinion on Damage to the Residence Admitted
On January 21, 2021, a fire destroyed Jacqueline Flynn’s home located at 7618 Craig Court in Orlando, Florida. The Plaintiff purchased a Thermacell Patio Shield on the day of the fire. Since the Patio Shield was the only energized device in use on the balcony at the time of the fire, the Plaintiff filed her…
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Fire Investigation Expert’s Testimony is Crucial to Establishing the Defendants’ Alleged Negligence
Cindy Jostworth’s insurance carrier, American Strategic Insurance Corp. (ASIC), has filed a negligence claim against Craig and Elizabeth Meyer. ASIC, acting under its right of subrogation, asserted that the Meyers’ negligent burning of yard waste and debris resulted in a fire that spread and destroyed Jostworth’s residential property at 5558 Silverpoint Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio. Plaintiff’s…
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Fire Investigation Expert Witness Prohibited from Relying on Statements by an Unidentified Officer
Meadowbrook Shopping Plaza, LLC purchased a building at 3895 Metro Drive (“the Building”) in 1995. Around 2018, Mr. Khaldoun Abaji approached Meadowbrook about utilizing the Building for his business, a store called Kids Avenue. Abaji and Meadowbrook came to an oral agreement where Abaji paid Meadowbrook $800 a month for the space. The parties agreed…
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Chemical Engineering Expert Witness’ Findings from the Battery Failure Investigation Excluded
On March 12, 2019, a fire broke out at a Forest River manufacturing facility. American Home Assurance Company, a subrogee of Forest River, says a lithium-ion battery from a Makita power drill is to blame. American sued both Makita Corporation of America and Makita U.S.A., Inc. under Indiana’s Product Liability Act. The two companies (called…
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Opposing Experts’ Testimony On Fire Origin and Cause Investigation Partly Excluded
This matter arises from a July 30, 2022, lightning strike in Water Valley, Mississippi, which caused a fire and ultimately the destruction of a warehouse and its contents, including automotive components owned by the Plaintiff Kodaco and stored in the warehouse. Kodaco claims “approximately $3,500,000.00 worth of business property” was stored at the subject warehouse,…
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Fire Investigation Expert Witness’ Legal Conclusions About the Parties’ Responsibilities under Contracts Excluded
On the evening of July 30, 2022, lightning struck WareHouse’s property at 121 Industrial Park Drive causing a fire at the warehouse. Shilla Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Plaintiff”) is a South Korean corporation that manufactures automobile parts and maintains suppliers in Mississippi and other southern states. Shilla alleges “approximately $5,000,000.00 worth of business property” was stored at…
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Fire Investigation Expert Witness’ Testimony Regarding Improperly Installed Outlet Cover Admitted
On June 21, 2022, a fire occurred at a residence in Perry Hall, Baltimore County, Maryland owned by Betina Fletcher (“the subject property”). Fletcher had a home insurance policy with USAA, which had been insuring the subject property for “about [seventeen] years.” In 2019, Chase Remodeling, then known as Insulators Home Exteriors, installed new exterior…
