The application of scientific knowledge to legal issues is what forensics is all about. A cornerstone of Earth Forensics' geologic and hydrogeologic consulting services is bringing the extensive knowledge of our scientists to the legal community in matters concerning soil and groundwater contamination; lead contamination; flood, landslide and seismic events; land development; remediation options; cost estimates and time tables for environmental clean-up.

Expert Testimony. The professionals at Earth Forensics understand that legal proceedings require experienced, well spoken yet approachable professionals who can render highly technical subject matter in a clear, succinct, and understandable manner useful to litigators, judges, and juries.  In litigation, the key is to establish the crux of the issue and identify criteria that allow judges and juries to come to the proper conclusions as to the causes and impacts of geoenvironmental problems.

Earth Forensics plaintiff and defense litigation support is broad in scope:

Expertise in environmental, natural resource, and regulatory matters:

• Groundwater and soil contamination
• Construction defects
• Water rights
• Environmental due diligence
• Project development
• Insurance recovery
• Remedial investigation/feasibility studies
• Waste management and disposal

Complex toxic tort litigation

We at Earth Forensics have a reputation for zeroing in on the critical issues: Identifying the sources of contamination, understanding the interplay between geological features and the unique properties of chemicals which affect persistence, migration, fate, and degradation of contaminants.

Our extensive experience with chemicals and toxin includes, but is not limited to the following toxic materials: 

• Metals
• Semivolatiles & Volatiles
• Fuels
• Industrial Chemicals
• Dioxin
• PCBs
• TCD
• Industrial Chemicals
• Insecticides
• PVCs

Our clients:

• Local, State, and Federal Agencies
• Municipalities
• Utilities
• Commercial entities facing liability from historical use and disposal of contaminants
• Communities and individuals impacted by contaminants

Recent Matters:

• Retained to provide expert testimony on the present and future extent of perchlorate contamination in soil and groundwater; identify other chemicals of concern (COC); and evaluate whether proper investigative and research techniques were employed to determine onsite and offsite extent of perchlorate and other COC contamination.  

• Retained by defense counsel representing commercial property owner identified by regional water district as a "potentially responsible party" for soil and groundwater contamination by chlorinated solvents, specifically trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene (PCE), and other chemicals including perchlorate and hexavalent chromium, resulting from historical site use of multiple prior owners.  Scientific investigation included assessing source of contaminants, dispersal patterns, soil and groundwater sampling, remediation solutions, analysis of opposing expert reports and deposition testimony.

• Retained to evaluate wastewater discharge by food processing facility and its impact on the municipal water supply system. Performed groundwater monitoring (sample collection and analysis) for high levels of metals such as iron, manganese, and arsenic in groundwater and residential wells.  Evaluated remedial investigation and feasibility study prepared by polluter, as well as plans and specifications for recently implemented waste water treatment system.

• Retained by defense counsel to evaluate landslide area. Conducted geotechnical investigation and provided mitigation recommendations.  Additionally, hired to evaluate groundwater conditions post landslide, oversee groundwater monitoring, drilling of wells, and meteorological assessment.  Included mediation.

• Retained as a rebuttal expert to provide opinion and expert rebuttal reports on drinking water supply contaminated by perchlorate. Detection and mapping of contaminated sites, extent of contaminant migration based on analysis of regional geology, soil composition, and historic use of product. Provided recommendations and guidance for the design, cost,  installation, and management of proposed treatment facilities.

• Retained as consulting expert witness for plaintiff commercial development owner to provide scope of damage and cost of repair for engineering and design defects in addition to costs for failure to comply with regional water quality board remediation requirements with respect to soil and groundwater contamination.