Omnia Forensis Ingenariae 
"All Things Forensic Engineering"
News and Views for the Forensic Engineer
and Their Legal/Insurance Clients
Richard A. Rice, PE - Editor
Edition XXI - April 2018
Editor's Thoughts
As you might image, most all current stories involving forensic engineering are about the pedestrian bridge collapse that occurred in Florida a few weeks ago. It is my experience that, generally speaking, most structural failures are preventable. The Florida structural failure, and the pedestrian bridge collapse I investigated at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (ABG) a few years back look eerily familiar. My paper that outlines the investigation and findings regarding the pedestrian bridge collapse at the ABG was published with the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. Click Here for the paper.

While there are many qualified forensic engineers who could investigate a failed pedestrian walkway bridge, very few actually have. As one who has investigated this type of structural failure, the Atlanta Metro Chapter of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers has graciously invited me to speak at their May 14th meeting. The title of my presentation is "Finding Why the Bridges Fell in Georgia and Florida." To attend, please contact Ken Quintana at 770-827-8627 or Click Here to email Ken.

The Vermont Supreme Court has decided that a professional engineer was properly disciplined by the engineering board when an Insured complained that the PE did not perform in a professional manner while investigating an insurance claim. See "In the News" for more details.

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Again, thank you. If you have suggestions for OFI, please email me any time. 

Sincerely,

Richard A. Rice, PE
In the News this Month...
Florida Pedestrian Bridge Collapse
The armchair forensic engineers are out in force. Here are just a few links to what people think happened. Click Here : Click Here : Click Here

Florida Supreme Court Deciding Daubert
There is more news regarding the use of the Daubert Standard in Florida. Click Here.

New and Cheaper Way for Insured's to Protest a Claim Denial
An Insured is normally faced with the expense of hiring their own forensic engineer and attorney when a claim denial is received. A Vermont policy holder has found a way to advance their denial claim if they think the forensic engineer hired by the insurance company was professionally negligent. Click Here for an attorneys take on the decision by the Vermont Supreme Court. Click Here for the court's full decision.

Plaintiff Expert v. Defense Expert: Who Has the Right Data?
This article brings out the conflict when two opposing respected experts, both educated in their fields, look at the same data and come up with greatly varying opinions. Click Here.

Bad Science = Bad Outcomes
Many forensic practices have been in the news lately because they have been found to be dubious at best. Much of the science behind these forensic practices has been found to be unverified. People are going to jail because of this. Click Here .

"But it was built to code," said the Contractor
Many states and municipalities are bowing down to the demands of home builders by weakening building codes. As a result, these structures are becoming more susceptible to Hurricanes and other weather events. Click Here.
Expert Referrals
I have the privilege to work with many great forensic experts in the United States, Asia and Europe in the fields of Accident Reconstruction, Electrical Failures, Mechanical Failures just to name a few disciplines. Please allow me to refer to you one of these court tested experts for your next insurance claim or legal matter. There is no charge to you. I do not get a finders fee from anyone. This is my way of helping you. Plus, I can help my Forensic Engineering colleagues. Please email me or call 404.395.7441. 

Note:  No warranties, expressed or implied, are made to the suitability of any expert referred to you. Do your homework to make sure you have the right expert.
...about the Editor
Richard A. Rice, PE is President and Forensic Engineer for Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI. Because of 30 years of continuous civil/structural design services, and his early and continued exposure to his friends and families many construction businesses, Mr. Rice is uniquely qualified to provide Civil/Structural Forensic Engineering services to the insurance, legal, and construction industries. Services include building design and construction, roadway design and construction, building inspection and code compliance, building/foundation collapse, construction site incidents, and other property loss subjects. Mr. Rice is a licensed professional engineer in several states, and a Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).
Mr. Rice has written a novel and numerous technical articles published in professional journals for NAFE, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), and the Georgia Defense Lawyer Association (GDLA). Please call/email Mr. Rice or visit his company's webpage:

Richard A. Rice, PE - Civil/Structural Engineer
Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI
(Office): 770.210.6644
(Mobile): 404.395.7441

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     Thank you for Your Time and Your Trust!!!