February 8, 2012
CED Construction Experts Investigate Beyond the Accident
Reconstructing a Multi-Car Accident
Meet the Experts: Civil/Structural Engineers
CED Construction Experts Investigate Beyond the Accident
 When it comes to construction-related investigations, CED Technologies is probably best known for its capabilities regarding construction defects, safety and structural analysis. Although the ability to understand the precise mechanisms of failure is crucial to any forensic investigation, a thorough understanding of the construction process may be required for more complex matters. With a deep well of experience in project management, construction documents and contract administration, CED Technologies possesses the in-house talent to go wherever the investigation leads.
In addition to technical documents, all construction-related incidents have administrative and contractual components. What may start off as an investigation of water intrusion for example, may lead to a closer look at the exterior walls of a building and the insulating finishing system that has been applied to them (EIFS). If there is a problem with the EIFS, in addition to identifying the exact cause of failure, other pertinent factors may be required -- Who designed, manufactured, installed or maintained it? Was part or all of the project subcontracted out? If so, under what conditions? Was the whole project contracted out or split up into different projects, contractors and materials? Were different materials or application processes used in the project?
Often, damage resulting from an incident has long been repaired, which requires investigators to heavily rely on construction documents and project files. Sometimes the answer to culpability lies not with a failure analysis but with obtaining and reviewing maintenance records. Perhaps there never was any physical damage to be inspected. Instead, there may be a financial component at issue due to timing or performance delays.
Construction projects can be expensive and complex undertakings that can be challenging to deliver on time and within budget. Changing conditions during the execution of the work can result in unanticipated costs and delays in completion. As such, there is usually contract language incorporated into agreements that attempt to allocate duties and risks among parties. However, despite best efforts toward anticipating every contingency, the unpredictability of weather, supply and labor can create a need for unexpected additional capital. The question often becomes who is responsible for this additional capital?
Having a broad and in-depth knowledge of the various components of the construction process such as quality assurance, procurement, safety and labor relations is required to thoroughly comprehend a complex construction project. Standing on the technical knowledge that they are known for, CED construction experts have the experience necessary to skillfully interpret the administrational aspects of a construction investigation. Call 800.780.4221 today to speak with an engineer about your case or claim.
Reconstructing a Multi-Car Accident
 Vehicular accident reconstructions are conducted by CED experts to answer questions regarding an accident, such as position of the vehicles before, during and after the accident, who was driving, where were the victims seated, were they wearing seat belts or did a specific item cause injury to a victim. So how does an expert answer these questions when asked to reconstruct a 17-vehicle pile-up four years after the accident occurred? Only CED engineers, out of 13 defendant experts, took on the challenge and through their time and efforts accomplished such a feat.
The accident occurred on a major highway during normal operating hours. It began when a semi-tractor trailer jack-knifed while trying to avoid a vehicle in the middle of the road. The accident involved semi-tractor trailers, one straight truck, cars and pickup trucks.
With such an accident of this magnitude, CED performed a detailed site inspection, as even after four years, the roadway was not considerably changed. CED engineers reviewed exemplar vehicles, police reports with photographs and measurements, accident victim and witness statements, depositions and interrogatories. After intense investigation, two-dimensional time stepped diagrams (utilized for event sequencing), models of the accident scene and the vehicles involved, CED experts concluded our client's semi-trailer truckload of coils did not damage vehicles involved in the pile-up as the plaintiffs' claimed. CED engineers provided guidance and clarification in the courtroom everyday to the attorney's on various evidence and witness testimony because CED was capable of understanding the details regarding the entire accident through investigation and reconstruction.
This accident reconstruction proves that visiting the accident scene along with reviewing high quality photographs, documentation and preserving the evidence can help improve your chances of winning a case or at the very least, limiting your liability. Please call us today at 800.780.4221 or visit us online at www.cedtechnologies.com.
Meet the Experts: Civil/Structural Engineers
 Thomas Destafney, P.E. is CED’s Senior Civil Engineer. Mr. Destafney has a vast degree of training and experience in the civil engineering field due to his management and oversight of more than $250 million worth of construction in locations all over the world, making him one of CED’s most valued experts. Mr. Destafney holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida and is a registered professional engineer in several states. During more than 20 years experience with the U.S. Navy, Mr. Destafney oversaw hundreds of construction projects where he was responsible for schedules, quality assurance and safety, including the $50 million construction of an airport in the Palau Islands.
Other projects built under Mr. Destafney’s oversight at locations such as the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland, include water/wastewater systems, roads, highways, waterfront bulkheads, multi-story buildings, power plants, major utility projects and whole house repairs. These multi-faceted projects all gave Mr. Destafney significant experience with reinforced and pre-stressed concrete, concrete batch plants, rock quarry and dredge site operations, timber construction, piles and drilled piers, asphalt batch plant and paving, buried utility systems, environmental restoration and building utility systems. On all of these projects, one of Mr. Destafney’s primary duties was Safety Director. In this role, Mr. Destafney was required to ensure that contractors working under his direction complied with OSHA regulations as they pertain to construction work. Because of this, Mr. Destafney is quite adept with OSHA’s safety standards for construction and general industry. He is OSHA authorized to teach OSHA-10 and OSHA-30 construction safety courses.
As the Director of Engineering at the U.S. Navy Public Works Center on the Island of Guam, Mr. Destafney managed a team of 100 engineers and architects who worked on design for projects built in the Guam region, giving Mr. Destafney an insight into the role and potential liabilities that designers may have with respect to design deficiencies and construction accidents. Mr. Destafney also served for two years as the Operations Officer for one of the Navy’s eight SEABEE battalions. During this time, Mr. Destafney oversaw large construction projects under austere conditions at locations ranging from Adak, Alaska to Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Destafney came to CED in 1998 and since that time has worked on hundreds of cases ranging from construction falls to building code violations. Mr. Destafney has considerable deposition and court room experience. This, coupled with his significant construction and safety experience, makes Mr. Destafney one of our premier experts.
 Michael Tracey, P.E. is one of CED’s Structural/Civil Engineers. Mr. Tracey holds a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering and Materials Science from the University of Connecticut and a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering concentrating in Structural Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Along with his formal education, Mr. Tracey also has been a guest lecturer at the University of Connecticut - School of Engineering.
Prior to joining CED Investigative Technology, Inc’s Civil Engineering group, Mr. Tracey has worked in several different capacities with varying tasks and areas of expertise. In 1981, Mr. Tracey joined Cynga Energy Services in the capacity as a Structural Engineer. While at Cygna, Mr. Tracey was responsible for power plant structural modifications, seismic analysis and resolving construction issues. In 1986, Mr. Tracey joined Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies, in the role of Senior Engineer. Mr. Tracey’s duties included design work on Airframe Structures, performing fatigue and accident analysis on structures while maintaining a top secret clearance with the United States Government.
After leaving United Technologies in 1990, Mr. Tracey joined Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA), a quasi-public agency responsible for managing the solid waste and recycling needs for the State of Connecticut and recovering waste and turning it into energy. Mr. Tracey’s role as the Director of Operations was to plan, develop and manage all of the large engineering and construction projects of the agency including construction of regional recycling centers and landfills, power plant improvements and environmental remediation projects. Mr. Tracey’s expertise and management capacity was instrumental in the growth of the agency. His ability to handle complex issues from program management, facilities operations, dispute resolution, OSHA issues and engineering design reviews made him an excellent fit in his duties at CRRA.
Mr. Tracey has also held the role of Senior Consultant with Dvirka & Bartilucci where he helped provide condition assessment and financial planning for major projects until joining CED. Mr. Tracey’s experience and formal education make him one of CED’s most valued engineers.
 Jason Boyd is one of CED Investigative Technologies Inc. Civil Engineers with a background in construction services, development design, storm water management, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and many other areas. Mr. Boyd has a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College in Easton, PA and is a registered Professional Engineer in several states, as well as a certification as a LEED accredited professional.
Prior to joining CED, Mr. Boyd was the Chief Operating Officer for Weaver, Boyd, Mummert & Associates. He was responsible for project planning, site design, storm water management, permitting and more for hotels, shopping centers and other construction projects. Prior to Weaver Boyd, Mr. Boyd was project manager for Keith Zayac & Associates Inc. in Safety Harbor, Florida. Mr. Boyd’s duties included land permitting, project scheduling, landscaping and utility design. While at Zayac and Associates, Mr. Boyd was instrumental in several projects that implemented LEED accreditation -- from the site design to construction materials.
Prior to Keith Zayac, Mr. Boyd was a project engineer for First Capital Engineering Inc. where his duties included site layout designs, erosion and sediments and Phase I environmental site assessments and zoning requirements. Mr. Boyd additionally has experience with the building codes and standards from several different states. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the United States Green Building Council.
 Dr. Daniel Roig has 38 years of structural engineering experience and a doctorate in biomechanics.
His expertise includes analysis and design of warehouse, agricultural, industrial, commercial and residential buildings; power plant chimneys including ductwork, foundations and specialty components; investigation of building damage relating to water, fire, environmental, and biological exposure, and investigation of accidents regarding biomechanics. He applies biomechanical engineering principles to appraise accidents and injuries including skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and musculo-skeletal injuries.
In the past, he has been a design consultant to architects, attorneys, builders, contractors, developers, engineers, real estate professionals. He also founded and managed several consulting structural engineering firms.
Dr. Roig teaches wood engineering for the Illinois Structural Engineering exam, Amerispec Inspection Services and the Wood Truss Council of America.
For more information on CED experts, please call 800.780.4221 or contact one of our regional offices to speak with a case specialist. |
