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Forensic Engineering Expert Witness for Storm Damage in Orlando, FL

Forensic Engineering Expert Witness for Storm Damage in Orlando, FL

When a storm or catastrophic damage is disputed, the case often depends on clear engineering findings. Forensic Engineering Expert Witness services in Orlando, FL, help attorneys, insurers, and property owners evaluate damage to HVAC systems, mechanical equipment, building envelopes, and structural elements with documentation that supports both claims and litigation.

At Forensic Engineering Experts, we handle inspection, analysis, signed-and-sealed reporting, and expert testimony from the early stages of a case through deposition, mediation, arbitration, and trial. Our Orlando-based firm is led by John Thomazin (MSME, PE, DFE, ACTAR) and Shane Niemann (PE), with more than 40 years of combined mechanical and building systems experience.

Call 407-603-7045 or submit a claim online.

How Forensic Engineering Supports Storm Damage Claims

Forensic engineering for storm damage claims applies engineering analysis to determine the cause and extent of property damage after severe weather events. The key question is whether the damage resulted from the storm or existed beforehand.

When claims are disputed, coverage decisions rely on documented engineering findings. Photographs show damage, but a forensic investigation explains why it occurred, confirms whether the storm caused it, and produces defensible conclusions that hold up under cross-examination.

A comprehensive forensic analysis by Forensic Engineering Experts evaluates the entire building system, not just structural elements. HVAC, plumbing, drainage, electrical, and fire protection systems often sustain damage that a structural-only review can miss. A mechanical-focused investigation identifies system failures and interactions that affect overall loss assessment.

The final report is signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer and documents the methodology, observations, and conclusions in a format suitable for attorneys, adjusters, and courts. When required, the same engineer provides expert testimony during deposition or trial.

Storms and Catastrophic Events We Investigate

Central Florida properties face a range of storm- and catastrophic-event-related issues that give rise to contested insurance claims and engineering questions beyond the scope of a standard inspection.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Hurricanes Ian (2022), Helene (2024), and Milton (2024) each generated disputed property claims across Orange County and the surrounding region. Hurricane forensic investigations assess roof deck performance, wind uplift, building envelope failures, water infiltration pathways, and HVAC system damage against the Florida Building Code’s wind-resistance requirements.
Central Florida averages ten to twelve tornado touchdowns per year. Tornado damage patterns differ from those of hurricanes: pressure differentials, debris impact, and rapid directional wind shifts create failure sequences that require separate engineering evaluation. Displaced mechanical equipment, compromised roof-to-wall connections, and pressurization failures are common findings.
Hail creates distinct damage patterns on roofs, HVAC equipment, and building cladding that differ from those caused by wind damage, which in turn influences how carriers and attorneys evaluate claims. Flood events damage mechanical equipment at grade, submerge electrical systems, and damage drainage infrastructure. Water intrusion investigations trace moisture migration from the entry point through interior materials to identify primary failure locations and secondary pathways.
Orange County sits within Florida’s primary sinkhole zone. Sinkhole events displace foundations, fracture plumbing and drainage systems, and compromise structural connections. A forensic engineering analysis determines whether observed damage results from a sinkhole event, differential settlement, or construction defects. The distinction drives coverage decisions and repair scope, and requires geological, structural, and mechanical evaluation.
Central Florida’s I-4 corridor registers among the highest lightning strike frequencies in the United States. Lightning, fire, and explosion investigations evaluate damage to electrical distribution systems, HVAC equipment, fire protection systems, and structural elements. The analysis determines what failed first, what caused the failure, and how the failure sequence progressed through the building.

What Our Forensic Analysis Covers

A storm forensic investigation includes a comprehensive inventory of the entire building system. Disputed claims often involve damage to HVAC equipment, mechanical systems, electrical distribution, and plumbing, which a structural-only assessment does not typically document.

Mechanical and HVAC Systems

Post-storm HVAC evaluation covers cooling and heating performance, refrigerant circuits, ductwork, ventilation, and mechanical equipment at the unit level. We assess whether damage resulted from the storm event or preceded it, evaluate system performance against ASHRAE standards and applicable Florida mechanical codes, and produce findings in a format that supports claim evaluation and expert witness testimony.

Structural and Building Envelope

Structural analysis evaluates load-bearing elements, roof deck and truss assemblies, roof-to-wall connections, and foundation performance. Whereas a building envelope analysis covers exterior wall cladding, fenestration, roofing membranes, flashing, sealant systems, and waterproofing. We separate storm-caused failure from pre-existing deterioration, deferred maintenance, and construction defects.

A Florida Building Code compliance evaluation determines whether the structure complied with the wind-resistance requirements in effect at the time of construction. That finding directly shapes how both sides frame coverage decisions and define the repair scope.

Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection Systems

Electrical distribution systems, grounding, panel boards, and service equipment exhibit damage patterns during storm events that are distinct from structural failures. We document failure sequences to inform cause-and-origin determinations.

Plumbing and drainage failures following flood events, sinkhole activity, and ground movement require engineering analysis that traces damage from the source through the system. The performance of the fire suppression system after a storm event falls within the scope of our investigation. We evaluate suppression systems and document performance failures that affect coverage and repair decisions.

Site Conditions and Post-Storm Documentation

Site drainage, post-storm ground conditions, and moisture-migration pathways affect foundation performance and the duration of water exposure within a building. We document site grade, drainage infrastructure, and soil conditions relevant to the claim. Drone-based aerial documentation and thermographic imaging capture moisture conditions and roof damage patterns that ground-level inspections alone cannot record.

Who Relies on Storm Forensic Engineering Services

Storm and catastrophic event forensic engineering serves a specific group of professionals whose decisions depend on defensible engineering analysis. Each group arrives at this service at a different point in the claim or litigation process.

Insurance Carriers and Claims Professionals

Carriers and adjusters hire forensic engineers when a storm claim involves a disputed cause-and-origin, a large-loss or CAT-designated event, or a coverage question that requires documented engineering findings to resolve. Our role is to evaluate what actually happened, document it in accordance with chain-of-custody protocols, and produce a written report that informs the coverage decision.

Attorneys involved in storm damage disputes enlist forensic engineers early on to assess cases, develop technical strategies, prepare expert reports, and provide testimony. Retention from both plaintiff and defense counsel is standard.

In contested claims, credibility depends on neutrality. An expert with a one-sided retention history is easier to challenge. A balanced record of plaintiff and defense work strengthens the reliability of the engineering opinion and limits biased arguments.

The same engineer conducts the inspection, prepares the report, and provides testimony in depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and trials. Work is not delegated across multiple staff, ensuring consistency from analysis through testimony.

Commercial and industrial property owners often hire forensic engineers when questions arise about the extent of damage to mechanical systems, the scope of repairs needed, or the cause and origin of a loss. Risk managers and facility teams use our analysis to support remediation planning, insurance negotiations, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Forensic Engineering Process for Storm Damage Claims

Every engagement follows five phases. The same engineers who perform the site work produce the report and provide the testimony.

1. Initial Review

We review the case materials, incident background, available records, and the engineering questions the assignment must address. At this stage, we define the investigation scope, identify the evidence we need to collect, and confirm the site access required before the inspection begins.

2. Site Inspection and Evidence Documentation

Our engineers conduct an in-person inspection of the property, equipment, and building systems. We document conditions with measured field notes, high-resolution photography, and spatial documentation. When roof conditions, site access, or evidence location make drone deployment appropriate, we use aerial imaging. Thermographic evaluation supports documentation of moisture and thermal anomalies where surface conditions permit. All physical evidence collected follows chain-of-custody protocols from the moment of collection.

3. Engineering Analysis

We apply established engineering principles to the documented evidence to evaluate causation and contributing factors. The analysis covers mechanical and HVAC system performance, structural behavior, building envelope failure sequences, code compliance against applicable Florida Building Code and ASHRAE standards, and the presence or absence of pre-existing conditions. Where the data supports it, we perform failure analysis, load calculations, and system performance evaluation against manufacturer specifications and design intent.

4. Written Report

We prepare a written report upon the client’s request for claims, negotiations, or legal cases. Each report is signed and sealed by the responsible licensed PE. It systematically details the investigation process, site observations, evidence reviewed, engineering analyses, and the engineer’s opinions, leading the reader clearly from the facts to the conclusions using language that is easy for non-engineers to understand.

5. Testimony

Our engineers provide testimony in depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and trials. The engineer who conducted the site inspection and wrote the report testifies. Our engineers explain technical findings in plain language so attorneys, adjusters, judges, and juries without engineering backgrounds can follow the analysis and understand how we reached our conclusions.

Preserving Evidence After a Storm or Catastrophic Event

Evidence quality determines how much a forensic engineering investigation can prove. Conditions at storm-damaged properties change quickly as repairs begin, materials are removed, and access becomes limited. Taking the right steps early preserves the value of a claim.

How to preserve the site before inspection:

  • Do not begin permanent repairs, cleaning, or disposal until an inspection plan is in place

  • Photograph all damage and equipment before anything is moved

  • Keep damaged components, hardware, and fragments in their original condition

  • Store materials in a secure location to prevent loss or alteration

  • Document who handled the evidence and maintain a clear chain of custody

  • In potential litigation, involve counsel before starting any remediation

Early engagement leads to stronger findings. A site documented immediately after a storm provides far more reliable cause-and-origin analysis than one altered by partial repairs or cleanup.
forensic-engineer

Meet the Experts

John Thomazin, MSME, PE, DFE, ACTAR

Mechanical Engineer

  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)

  • DFE designation

  • Conducts equipment failure inspections, evidence review, and engineering opinions for claim and litigation support when requested

Shane W. Niemann, PE

Mechanical Engineer

  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)

  • Field inspection and documentation for failed equipment and assemblies

  • Conducts mechanical systems evaluation and root cause analysis when performance or safety is questioned

  • Supports documentation and report preparation for Orlando equipment assignments

Why Choose Forensic Engineering Experts for Storm and Catastrophic Event Investigations

The engineers who lead this firm hold credentials that most structural forensic firms do not carry. The distinction matters in contested proceedings.

Experience and Scope

Forensic Engineering Experts brings more than 40 years of combined engineering experience across mechanical and building systems, equipment failures, and complex insurance and litigation assignments. Our work spans automotive and transportation incidents, industrial and commercial equipment failures, building system defects, storm and environmental damage, and premises investigations.

We serve clients from our Orlando, Florida, office and travel across the United States for site inspections, evidence examinations, depositions, and trial testimony.

Documentation and Investigation Tools

We use LiDAR for spatial documentation, drone-based aerial imaging for roof and site conditions, thermographic cameras for moisture and thermal anomaly detection, photogrammetry for measured mapping, and CAD-based analysis for system performance evaluation. These methods produce measurable, reproducible documentation that supports both written reports and courtroom exhibits.

Direct Senior Engineer Access

Our senior engineers personally manage every engagement. Clients communicate directly with the engineer overseeing their project, without intermediaries or reports from unsupervised staff. The engineer you hire is the one who inspects the site, writes the report, and testifies.

FAQs About Storm and Catastrophic Event Forensic Engineering

What does a forensic engineer do after a storm or catastrophic event?

A forensic engineer investigates the cause, extent, and origin of property damage following a storm or catastrophic event. The investigation covers site documentation, building system evaluation, and engineering analysis to determine what failed, why it failed, and whether the storm caused it. Findings support insurance claim resolution, litigation, and repair decisions.
The analysis compares documented failure patterns with documented storm event data, including wind speeds, flood depths, hail size, and event timing. Pre-existing conditions exhibit physical characteristics distinct from storm-caused failures, including weathering patterns, prior repair evidence, and material deterioration inconsistent with a single event. Engineers establish the distinction through physical evidence, not assumptions.

Any event involving disputed coverage, liability, or repair scope may require forensic engineering analysis. In Central Florida, common events include:

  • Hurricanes
  • Tornadoes
  • Hail events
  • Flooding and water intrusion
  • Sinkholes
  • Lightning strikes
  • Fires

Cases involving HVAC damage, mechanical system failures, or building system interactions alongside structural damage benefit most from a mechanical engineering forensic investigation.

A forensic engineering report documents the investigation methodology, site observations, evidence reviewed, engineering analysis performed, and the engineer’s opinions. A licensed PE signs and seals the report. We include photographs, drawings, and supporting data when they can help clarify findings.

Yes. Our engineers provide testimony in depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and Florida state and federal court proceedings. The engineer who conducted the site inspection and prepared the report will provide the testimony. We do not hand cases to junior staff at the testimony stage. Our engineers have experience testifying in contested proceedings across the United States.
A storm-damage inspector documents visible conditions and prepares a report for repair planning. A forensic engineer applies engineering analysis to determine causation, evaluate code compliance, separate storm damage from pre-existing conditions, and produce opinions suitable for litigation. Forensic engineers are licensed PEs qualified to provide expert witness testimony. Home inspectors and contractors are not.

To get started, submit a claim online or call 407-603-7045 directly. Provide basic information about the incident location, the parties involved, and any available records. We will review the materials, outline the proposed scope of work, and confirm the engagement.

Testimonials from Our Clients

Clients turn to us when they need clear, focused engineering work on difficult matters. The feedback below reflects the level of detail, professionalism, and communication they experience on their cases.

Rhonda Roberts

John did an excellent job for us on our case. We were able to make a very advantageous settlement because of his efforts. He was very knowledgeable and professional. In addition to being an excellent engineer, he made a very good witness. We would use John again should the occasion arise and would recommend him to others.

Tim Wieker

I was very impressed with the report we were given. The facts of the loss were not that easy to find good literature, and he gave a very detailed report with good explanation and charts to back things up.

J. Tolman

The expertise and thoroughness of the report was extraordinary. 

Michelle B.

Thank you so much for your professional efforts and extraordinary report.

Matias C.

Thanks for all of your work and the detailed analysis you provided.