Case Studies
J.S. Held Acquires Shechter & Everett to Expand Forensic Accounting Capabilities for Family Law Disputes in Florida
Read MoreOn October 6, 2023, the cantilever portion of a brand-new conveyor system failed under normal operation. The conveyor was commissioned only six months before the collapse as part of a major expansion at the mine, and its purpose had been to transfer crushed ore from the crusher to a stockpile about 200 meters away.
The project involved a few companies from around the world:
Professional engineer and complex construction claims expert, Dr. Farhood Nowzartash—from J.S. Held’s Forensic Architecture & Engineering practice—was retained by the insurance market for the mine to establish the cause of the conveyor collapse. Dr. Nowzartash visited the mine on two occasions to inspect the conveyor and survey the surrounding area to determine the cause of the collapse. He conducted in-depth structural analyses, including finite-element modeling, to determine the cause of the collapse. Other professionals from J.S. Held, including material experts, mechanical engineers, and delay experts, also assisted with this project.
The cause of the collapse was determined to be mainly design errors, with some contributions from fabrication. After the causation was successfully established and agreed upon by the involved parties, Dr. Nowzartash was asked to establish the actions of the responsible parties that led to the collapse. Based on his expert testimony, the case was settled between the gold mine and the insurance market.
> Structural Engineering
Our team is composed of civil and structural engineers who specialize in forensic investigations, repair scopes, code upgrade/compliance evaluations, and repair plans. We provide detailed forensic analysis of property and infrastructure damage by leveraging our understanding of the built environment and the impact of wind, water, fire, deterioration, construction defects, and outside forces.
> Forensic Engineering
J.S. Held’s forensic engineering experts include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, marine, and biomechanical engineers. Our forensic engineering analyses address what happened, why it happened, when the incident occurred, extent of damage, repairability, and applicable code upgrade/compliance requirements.
For additional information about the engagement or to learn more about our services, contact:
