Insurance

The information and data gathered through a Failure Analysis investigation is used in Forensic Engineering, which applies principles of engineering and science, to provide an independent engineering opinion on the cause, or causes, of the failure of products, components, and materials. Following gathering background information and the evidence, Failure Analysis is conducted by systematically examining, testing the evidence, followed by a thorough analysis of the gathered data to provide the opinion on the specific failure.

Visual examination along with low and high magnification microscopy are the first steps employed in the process of gathering relevant data to help determine the cause, or causes, of a specific failure. We are looking for evidence of abuse, improper installation, and more important, to the appearance of the fracture surface. Although unique for each case, each fracture surface exhibits typical features that can help identify the failure mode (i.e., overload, fatigue, corrosion).

Often times there is a need to conduct further destructive examination to collect relevant samples for further examination and testing, either when the failed component is too large for the instrumentation used, or an area/section of interest of the evidence is hidden from view in the as-received condition.

In cases of metallic components failures, often times there is a need to look further inside and this is accomplished by conducting metallurgical evaluation of microstructures, mechanical testing, and chemical analysis, and compare those with the manufacturer’s specifications.

In cases of non-metallic materials (i.e., polymers) the Failure Analysis starts as well by visual and microscopic examination however, further examination would require different analytical techniques than the ones used for metallic materials to determine whether they were contaminated, oxidized, environmentally degraded, or if they failed by other mechanism.

One of the leading firms in the field of Forensic Engineering, Origin and Cause has experts that have the knowledge and a combined experience of more than 50 years in Failure Analysis to determine the root causes of various failures. Our opinions provided throughout the years to our clients helped them to make a decision on further course of action in their subrogation, litigation, and/or mediation actions.. No component is too large, or too small, for us to investigate it and to determine its failure mode and cause.

No matter how complex the investigation is, we are always ready to assist. We discuss with our clients the best and the most cost effective course of action for the investigation, we inform them throughout the course of the investigation, and we are always available to discuss our findings, answer your questions and/or their concerns.

There is a wide variety of plumbing products (fixtures and fittings) which exhibit design deficiencies, manufacturing defects, and or possible installation deficiencies that can cause a failure and subsequent property damage due to water discharge. Residential homes, high-rises, and commercial buildings are provided with plumbing and piping systems, making the number of potential failures almost infinite.

A plumbing fixture is a part that is connected to a plumbing system and carries water through a building. The most common plumbing fixtures are bathtubs, sinks, showers, tubs, toilets faucets, urinals, and floor drains. A plumbing fixture is permanently fixed into walls or the floor by way of bolts, screws, nails, glue, cement or other means, whereas a plumbing fitting is an item that can be hung by a hook, screw or nail. The most common plumbing fittings are elbows, tees, reducers, unions, couplings, crosses, caps, swage nipples, plugs, bushings, adapters, outlets, valves, and flanges.

Origin and Cause experts are frequently involved in matters where properties have been damaged by water discharging from plumbing fixtures and fittings and are requested to determine whether the failures were the result of a manufacturing defect, design deficiency, or a deficiency in the installation, lack of maintenance, abuse, or usage. Although these investigations sound straight forward, this is rarely the case. They can be very complex as they may involve a combination of factors that led to the incident that requires the use of advanced analytical techniques to determine and to confirm the failure mode and cause. For example, the effects of a latent and minor defect can be increased significantly in service by an installation deficiency, or vice versa. And one would not be able to indicate only by visual examination alone whether a plumbing component was degraded and by what mechanism.

A personal injury investigation is about so much more than financial compensation. It’s an acknowledgement that the injured person’s life has been unfairly impacted. And, it’s about getting that person back to the life he/she knew and loved, as much as possible. Personal injuries come in various forms and none of them are alike; each case is different, and there is no single approach applicable to all situations. A critical step and one that must be taken early on in a personal injury claim or case is the investigation. The injured party (often referred to as the claimant in an insurance claim or plaintiff in a lawsuit) has the burden of proving that the other party was negligent in order to successfully obtain compensation for the injuries suffered and losses incurred in the accident. Because the plaintiff has the burden of proof, the investigation into the accident is very important to obtain enough evidence to conduct a proper investigation. Each incident requires careful data collection, specialized analysis, and often laboratory testing or re-enactment to understand the sequence of events which led to the injury.

At OCI, with our extensive experience working for insurance companies and law firms for more than 30 years, we know how they work, how they think, and how we can achieve the best possible results. Our in-depth investigation will help establish the circumstances of the incident and the potential underlying causes. We have assisted insurance and legal firms with numerous cases of personal injury claims from initial investigation through to court appearances as expert witnesses.

Electrocution Incidents

In Ontario alone, personal injury through electric shock or electrocution make up to on average almost 1,000 emergency room visits annually. Although these types of injuries are avoidable, they continue to be a recurring type of loss along with electrical burns. Our experts have the knowledge and expertise to identify the causes of such incidents, which can range from one or a combination of, but not limited to:

• Poor Installation
• Aging infrastructure
• Unapproved Products or Electrical Work,
• Misuse
• Lack of Training
• Lack of Maintenance

Our forensic experts have the training to analyze the roots of these types of losses and to help you identify next steps based on the findings of these losses.

At OCI, we understand the interaction between people and equipment, and we are investigating the circumstances associated with a personal injury claim from an engineering perspective. Sometimes a personal injury occurs due to a manufacturing deficiency of the equipment/tool used, sometimes a personal injury occurs due to the negligence of the user. Although our interaction with the plaintiff is usually indirect (through an adjuster, or through a lawyer), there are times when we must interview the plaintiff directly. Although it is difficult to remain emotionally detached when one is aware of the pain and suffering of the plaintiff, we are professionals and remain unbiassed and impartial throughout the entire investigation and subsequent.

With proper background information and relevant evidence available we can definitely assist in determining the root cause of the accident.

When wind, snowstorms, fires, vehicle impacts, tree falls, or other events damage structures, OCI forensic structural engineers provide clients with accurate and swift assessment to determine the extent of damage, and provide practical solutions to repair or rebuild the damaged structure. We provide structural drawings and HVAC design and assist the client with Building permit application. We will also help the contractors throughout the project, providing clarifications of our structural drawings and general field review of construction. We also provide shoring design for emergency contractors to stabilize and repair unsafe structures.

The OCI experienced Structural Forensic Engineers also help the client determine the root cause of damage. Often, the apparent cause of damage is misleading. So, determining the true cause is crucial because it affects the required structural repair design and the insurance coverage. For example, a crack in the ceiling finishes after a snowstorm is often perceived to be caused by the weight or snow. However, it can be caused by pre-existing construction deficiencies, or gradual foundation settlement, or long-term deterioration of the roof structure. OCI engineers are equipped with years of experience, expertise and resources to determine the root cause of damage and provide repairs solution to correct the problem from the root.

Our team is equipped with different types of drones to produce maps of the damaged area, take aerial photographs, and take photos and videos in unsafe and hard to reach areas like attics and partially collapsed structures. We are also equipped with thermal cameras and thermal drones that help us quickly and accurately assess water and thermal leakage of buildings.

We have completed thousands of structural forensic investigations; our experience encompasses wood, steel, concrete, masonry, and aluminum structures, both modern and old. We have experience with diverse types of structures ranging from, residential and commercial buildings to silos, barns and docks.

The building envelope plays a critical role in regulating the indoor temperature and moisture movement within a building. It also protects the building from the elements such as the sun, rain and snow, as well as harmful substances, toxins, pests and pathogens. In addition, the building envelope also seves an aesthetic function, giving the building its external appearance. Which, in the case of a heritage building, may need to be preserved.

OCI Group specializes in building envelope investigations, providing expert analysis of exterior systems to identify and resolve issues related to water intrusion, air leakage, and structural integrity. Our structural forensic engineering team conducts thorough assessments of roofing, cladding, windows, and other critical components to determine the root causes of failures. OCI Group delivers detailed reports and recommendations that address construction defects, material degradation, or design flaws, to restore and protect the performance of building envelopes.

Break and Entry is defined as “finding a way to enter a house and entering it with the intent to commit a crime”, or, ”the gaining of unauthorized access to a building with intent to commit a crime”, typically theft. Our experience indicates that often it is not an intruder that broke and entered into a residence, or business, to commit a crime but rather the home/business owner. There are numerous motives that would push an individual to orchestrate a break and entry on his own property; the main reason being that the claimant attempts to claim a benefit which he/she is not entitled to-insurance fraud. In other words, B&E are staged in order to claim household items on their insurance.

When after interviewing the claimant, the adjuster sees red flags, and believes that there are suspicions of fraud, he/she and/or the SIU contacts Origin and Cause to investigate and to provide an independent engineering opinion whether the facts outlined by the insured are in line with the available site condition and the available evidence. Although some fraudulent claims are made with a high level of sophistication, the majority of the orchestrated B&E is poorly done.

We commence our investigations by collecting as much background information as possible including but not limited to the following:

• Circumstances of the event (i.e., was the B&E occurring during daylight, or during the night, where was the intruder entering the premises, through the front door, patio door, garage door, window, was there any alarm system in place, can it be examined, was there any surveillance camera existing and operating at the time of the B&E and can the footage be examined, what items were stolen, did the neighbors noticed anything, is there any police report that can be reviewed, are there any photographs of the scene taken after the B&E was discovered, is there any list, or photographs with the household items stolen)
• We ask to be provided with any other background information that could assist further in our investigations.
• We attend the site and document it thoroughly; we examine and document the garage, doors and windows for evidence of forceful entry, we examine and document the garage, doors and the windows locking mechanism for the same, we examine and document the outside walls to see whether there is evidence of staining.
• Often times, the insured is not present during our site examination however, if he/she is present we request permission to ask him/her to share with us their side of the story.
• It is not a general rule however, in the majority of the B&E investigations that we participated in, the alleged intruder “entered” the premises either through the front main entrance, or through the patio door. And in all instances the damage to the doors/windows was on the inner side and not on the outside. This condition indicates to us that the “intruder” “entered” into the house from the inside. In other words, the events as described by the home/business owner do not make sense and the evidence clearly points to the conclusion that the claim submitted was not true to reality.

Insurance fraud is an action that results in unethical financial or personal advantage. Fraud is a practice led by deception to deprive one of money or property. This deception affects business, government and individuals.

To guard against insurance fraud you need to be able to identify the risk and retain the right experts for the investigation. We at OCI can help with a multi angle approach; we can help identify potential fraud and through our investigation process, determine whether in fact occurred.

Several trends have emerged in the last few years and we have adapted our techniques to probe and prove fraudulent activities that are intended to sway the result of the investigation.

The damage caused by natural disasters, acccidents and catastrophes can be swift and devestating and require a rapid response. In the aftermath of wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and stoms OCI Group is able to mobilize a multi-disciplinary team of experts to evaluate immediate damage and assist with long-term recovery. Our team includes structural, electrical, materials and mechanical engineers as well as fire and explosion investigators. We work to assess damage and stabilize and protect affected property and equipment, preventing further deterioration while preserving evidence that may prove critical to determining the root cause of failure.

Our team of experts help clients recover losses by identifying responsible parties in cases of property damage or product failure. Leveraging our extensive expertise in forensic engineering, we meticulously investigate incidents to uncover the root causes of failures, whether they involve fire, construction defects, or mechanical malfunctions. Our team provides detailed analyses and unbiased, expert opinions that support subrogation claims. With a focus on accuracy and objectivity, OCI Group empowers clients to make informed decisions and maximize recovery potential in complex subrogation cases.

The purpose of failure analysis is to determine the most fundamental reason which caused the failure of a product/component (i.e., root cause), ideally with the intention of eliminating it and identifying means to prevent its recurrences. Failure analysis is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary (i.e., mechanical, metallurgical, physical, and chemical), forensic investigation into the reasons why a product or component has failed. Working with failed products or components, forensic engineers use a variety of examination techniques and testing methods to identify and evaluate specific root causes behind a failure.

Origin and Cause experts have extensive experience in investigating various products failures both consumers and industrial. Materials investigated are metals alloys, polymers, glasses, All our reports provide complete services combining the interpretation of laboratory results with the principles of materials science and engineering. We will guide you through the entire process of our investigation, we work around your schedule, ensuring that the investigation is completed in a timely manner, within the deadline, and on the budget.