You want a solid expert on your side if you end up in court. Whether you are the plaintiff or defendant in a suit, Hanis Consulting's is there to support your case. We develop plans to collect the evidence you need using defensible methods and document our actions and observations. We use this evidence to prepare our opinions and testimony. We also work with attorneys to find the holes in other experts opinions.
Do you want a solid expert on your side if you end up in court? Whether you are the plaintiff or defendant in a suit, Hanis Consulting is there to support your case. We develop plans to collect the evidence you need using effective methods and document our actions and observations. We use this evidence to prepare our opinions and testimony. We also work with attorneys to find the holes in the opposing expert opinions.
Generally speaking, environmental and site contamination disputes typically deal with compensation claims for remediation costs.
In this regard, there are conflicting views in case law and legal theory. The question is whether the judge should assess damages based on diminution in property value or the remediation costs.
To prove either diminution of property or remediation costs, the parties must base their claims on expert witness opinions and testimonies.
An expert witness is a person called to testify due to their knowledge or skills in a field that is relevant to the case.
In environmental disputes, expert witnesses provide their expert opinions and testify in court using their knowledge in geology, environmental contamination, and groundwater remediation.
When relying on expert witness testimonies, the courts use the so-called Daubert standard, which comes from the Supreme Court case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc (1993). A trial judge applies this standard to assess whether expert testimony is scientifically valid and applicable to the facts at issue.
Under the Daubert standard, there are several factors that the court considers in determining whether the expert methodology is valid. Namely, the theory or technique in question must be tested and subjected to peer review and publication. Furthermore, an expert opinion must provide accuracy and significant confidence in results. In addition, maintenance of standards controlling its operation must exist. Finally, the theory must attract widespread acceptance within a relevant scientific community.
At Hanis Consulting, we can prepare an expert opinion for your case that meets the most rigorous court assessment standards. Whether the subject matter is environmental, geological, or hydrogeological (groundwater), we have you covered. If the subject matter is outside our areas of expertise, we can help you find the right expert and support your litigation. Depending on the case and the data, we can produce an expert memorandum or a report with all supporting documentation.
Sometimes litigation goes beyond needing just an expert opinion. The expert needs to testify in court. We will fully support our findings and defend them in trial or during a deposition stage. We work with attorneys to prepare for our testimony and thoroughly examine our opinion in the light of cross-examination questions from the opposing party. Furthermore, we can help attorneys find the weaknesses in the opposed expert witness opinions.
The cross-examination of an expert witness is the subject of the meticulous preparation of the opposing attorney. The other side engages in scrutinizing the expert opinion from various angles. The opposing attorney will use any strategy and available legal tools to find inconsistencies in your expert’s findings. For that reason, your most important goal is to have a top-notch expert witness on your side. While there are a lot of environmental and geology experts that can help your cause to some extent, your ultimate goal is to hire the best of the best in the industry.
At Hanis Consulting, we nurture the most sophisticated knowledge in the field of geology and environment, acquired through years of academic training and high-quality service to our valued clients. Combining unique expert knowledge with specifically targeted litigation skills allows us to defend our opinions during the most demanding cross-examinations. Our expert opinions are custom-tailored to the specifics of our client’s case.
Successful resolution of your environmental dispute should be your top priority. It can determine the fate of the years-long construction and another related project you invested so much time, energy, and resources. The stakes are high, and you do not want to try your luck with experts of questionable knowledge and reputation. At Hanis Consulting, we do not rely on luck. We believe in science and professional ethics. Satisfied clients are our most valuable asset. You can join them today by calling us to schedule a confidential consultation appointment.
