Expert testimony can be integrated with overall litigation strategy long before a case reaches trial. In this practical CLE, forensic structural engineer John Bergeleen discusses how attorneys can coordinate the expert’s involvement around the case’s actual objectives, as well as use the expert’s findings to inform the case’s objectives. Attendees will learn how experts develop reliable opinions through sound scientific methodology, and preserve trial readiness throughout investigation, reporting, testimony, and mediation discussions. Through case studies and courtroom examples, attendees will learn how to evaluate expert reasoning, recognize methodological weaknesses, prepare experts for scrutiny, and communicate complex technical conclusions clearly to mediators, judges, and juries.
John Bergeleen is a Senior Consultant in our Irvine office working remotely based out of Albuquerque, NM. He has over 10 years of experience in structural engineering with an emphasis on damage assessment, repair design, and field work. He is a licensed Structural Engineer in the states of Washington, California and Illinois. He is a licensed Civil Engineer in the states of New Mexico, Washington, Colorado and California. He specializes in the assessment, investigation, and code analysis of damaged or distressed structures, as well as development of repair designs, plans and specifications and the implementation of complex repair solutions. Mr. Bergeleen is also experienced in the design, implementation, and assessment of fall protection systems and in the investigation of construction accidents and recreational climbing accidents.
Mr. Bergeleen has a diverse background in structural design including new construction, retrofits, construction aids, damage assessments, and repair design in the healthcare, military, and industrial sectors, including high-seismic design, hurricane and coastal design, and design of structures in challenging mountainous conditions. He has performed condition and seismic evaluations of wood and steel structures, crane and crane runway assessments, damage assessments of steel and concrete silo structures, bridge inspections, and foundation settlement investigations. Having also been involved in the repairs of many of these issues, he is experienced with the detailing of repairs in unique and complex situations. He is highly skilled in the analysis of existing structures and the design of complex structural systems used in repairs and additions. Mr. Bergeleen has also completed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Bridge Condition Inspection Training and has experience inspecting bridges.
Additionally, Mr. Bergeleen is a Certified Fall Protection Competent Person and has extensive experience in the design and implementation of fall protection systems for general industry and construction use, in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fall protection assessments, and in multi-disciplinary investigations of construction accidents. Mr. Bergeleen has extensive experience with and has instructed multiple courses in technical rock climbing and rope rescue courses. Mr. Bergeleen is a member of the ANSI A10 committee on construction safety as well as the ANSI Z359 committee on fall protection, contributing towards improving workplace safety.
