Representative Cases
The following are representative examples of expert witness cases handled by Dr. Mitchell. Additional cases available upon request with appropriate confidentiality agreements.
Multi-Unit Residential Complex Foundation Failure
Issue: Foundation settlement and structural damage in 50-unit residential complex
Role: Expert witness for plaintiffs
Analysis: Conducted forensic investigation of soil conditions, foundation design, and construction practices. Determined that inadequate soil preparation and improper construction techniques led to differential settlement exceeding design tolerances.
Result: Case settled favorably for clients based on expert analysis
Commercial Office Building Water Intrusion
Issue: Widespread water damage affecting multiple floors of commercial building
Role: Retained by insurance company
Analysis: Analyzed building envelope design, construction details, and weather-proofing systems. Identified multiple design and construction deficiencies contributing to water intrusion.
Result: Expert opinion supported allocation of liability among responsible parties
Residential Home Structural Damage from Earthquake
Issue: Significant structural damage following earthquake event
Role: Expert for property owner
Analysis: Evaluated seismic design compliance and structural performance. Determined that pre-existing defects exacerbated earthquake damage.
Result: Analysis supported claims against designer and contractor
Industrial Facility Roof Collapse
Issue: Catastrophic roof failure during heavy snow load event
Role: Neutral expert appointed by court
Analysis: Performed load analysis and structural calculations. Determined whether design was adequate for actual snow loads and whether maintenance issues contributed to failure.
Result: Expert testimony established design deficiency as primary cause of failure
Condominium Building Concrete Deterioration
Issue: Widespread concrete spalling and structural deterioration in residential building
Role: Expert for homeowners association
Analysis: Investigated concrete quality, reinforcement corrosion, and maintenance history. Identified design and construction defects leading to premature deterioration.
Result: Analysis supported claims for repair and warranty breach
Adjacent Property Damage from Excavation
Issue: Structural damage to neighboring property caused by adjacent construction
Role: Expert for damaged property owner
Analysis: Evaluated soil mechanics, excavation procedures, and structural impact. Determined causation and quantified damage.
Result: Expert analysis established construction contractor liability
Case Statistics
- Total Cases: 150+ expert witness engagements
- Cases Resolved: 95% settled or resolved through expert analysis
- Trial Testimony: 30+ cases with deposition and/or trial testimony
- Disputed Value: Cases involving $2+ billion in total disputed value
- Plaintiff vs. Defense: Balanced experience on both sides of litigation
- Average Case Value: $10M+ per matter
Case Types by Category
- Construction Defect Cases: 45+ matters involving residential and commercial defects
- Structural Failure Analysis: 35+ matters including collapses and major failures
- Water Intrusion/Weatherproofing: 25+ matters involving moisture and environmental damage
- Building Code/Standards Compliance: 20+ matters involving code violations
- Adjoining Property Damage: 15+ matters involving damage from construction or structural issues
- Material Failure Analysis: 10+ matters involving material-specific failures
Confidentiality
Many cases remain confidential due to settlement agreements or ongoing litigation. Additional case information, including specific case histories and client references, is available upon request with appropriate confidentiality agreements. Attorneys may contact Dr. Mitchell directly to discuss specific case types and prior experience.
Litigation Record
Dr. Mitchell has maintained a strong record in litigation:
- Zero expert reports excluded under Daubert or Frye standards
- Consistent credibility established through repeated engagement by major law firms
- Strong track record in both deposition and trial testimony
- Recognized for clear communication of complex engineering concepts to judicial decision-makers
Contact Dr. Mitchell to discuss your specific case and determine if his experience can help resolve your structural engineering questions.