The senior consultants at Wheaton & Sprague often serve as expert witnesses in construction cases.  Not all the following tasks would be necessary or appropriate in every case. However, our staff has performed various combinations of these tasks on the cases that we have assisted with:

  • Preparing detailed requests for production of routinely expected documents
  • Reviewing construction documentation and other documents relative to the case
  • Providing uncomplicated explanation to attorneys about the technical aspects of the argument
  • Investigating and assessing the quality & suitability of the design and of construction work
  • If accessible, performing visual assessments, exploratory assessments and perhaps exploratory testing at the building site
  • Utilizing knowledge of the art and sciences, building science principles and methods for evaluations and testing
  • If needed, arranging, directing and overseeing laboratory testing for materials characterization
  • Estimating costs
  • Determining compliance with laws, codes, and regulations that were in effect at the time of design & construction
  • Pursuing avenues which may be used to contradict the findings or opinions of opposing experts
  • If applicable, evaluating suitability of the design and conformity to the standard of care
  • If applicable, evaluating cause and effect for physical defect, and whether the defect is design related or resulted from deficient construction methods
  • Collecting data, preparing sketches, diagrams, schedules, charts, graphs and photographs for report and for exhibits at trial
  • Preparing expert reports, amendments, rebuttal reports, and sur-rebuttal reports
  • Reviewing and assessing depo transcripts, reports, rebuttals, and sur-rebuttals of opposing experts
  • Providing opinions to counsel on strengths or weaknesses of the client’s position
  • Assisting with preparing the questions for cross-examination of the opposing experts
  • Providing input for interrogatories
  • Producing client requested files for discovery
  • If requested, providing affidavits
  • Participating in rehearsals and coaching sessions with attorney
  • Providing testimony at depositions
  • Proofreading transcripts
  • Providing testimony at trial