ForensisGroup says construction disputes often need multiple experts

ForensisGroup is urging attorneys to bring in technical experts earlier in construction litigation, arguing that one discipline is often not enough to determine causation and responsibility. The Pasadena firm says complex disputes can involve structural, civil, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical and materials expertise, with broader implications for claims now emerging in Manhattan and Los Angeles County.

Why it matters: - Construction disputes can turn on technical questions that go beyond a single expert’s specialty. - Early expert review can identify causation issues, test assumptions and reduce avoidable litigation costs. - The need is growing as projects become more complex and damage patterns emerge long after construction ends.

What happened: - ForensisGroup, a Pasadena expert witness provider, issued a message urging attorneys to involve qualified experts early in construction litigation. - The firm said construction claims often require multiple engineering and technical disciplines before responsibility can be determined. - Mercy Tolentino Steenwyk, ForensisGroup founder and CEO, said the visible problem is rarely the whole story and that different disciplines help uncover the truth. - Emily Lou Steenwyk, ForensisGroup managing director, said the firm often hears from attorneys only when deadlines are close, but early involvement brings greater value.

The details: - The firm said a claim that starts with a cracked foundation, water intrusion, structural movement, code compliance issue or material failure can expand into a broader technical investigation. - Potentially relevant specialists include structural, civil, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical and materials engineers. - Architects, construction managers, building code specialists, cost estimators and other technical professionals can also be needed. - Moisture intrusion, soil movement, corrosion, foundation settlement, building envelope failures and structural deficiencies may not appear until months or years after construction is completed. - By the time litigation begins, experts may need to reconstruct events long after the original work was performed. - ForensisGroup said it has focused on construction litigation since the company was founded in 1991. - The firm said Mercy Steenwyk created the business after seeing that attorneys needed highly specialized technical expertise to understand what failed and why. - ForensisGroup said construction projects have become more sophisticated, increasing the number of disciplines involved in a single matter. - The firm offers complimentary one-hour consultations with qualified experts across all specialties. - ForensisGroup expanded those consultations after the Los Angeles wildfires to include individuals seeking technical guidance related to recovery. - The company says it serves attorneys, law firms, insurers, corporations and other organizations.

Between the lines: - The message is less about a single case and more about a litigation strategy shift: construction disputes now often require multidisciplinary screening before legal theories harden. - ForensisGroup is positioning early expert review as both a technical necessity and a cost-control tool. - Recent structural concerns at a major Manhattan development and ongoing rebuilding across Los Angeles County are being used as examples of how complex these matters can become. - The broader point is that causation, responsibility and remediation can involve separate questions for structure, soil, materials, code compliance, project oversight and infrastructure.

What's next: - ForensisGroup expects attorneys to continue using experts earlier in case evaluation rather than waiting for discovery, mediation or trial prep. - The firm said early consultation can help identify additional technical questions, determine whether multiple specialties are needed and evaluate case strengths and weaknesses. - As reconstruction and insurance disputes continue in wildfire-affected areas, more property and construction claims may require layered technical analysis.

The bottom line: - In construction litigation, the first expert may not be the last one needed, and waiting too long can make the technical picture harder to solve.