Expert Witness Blog

Storage expert witnesses may opine on public storage facilities, mini-storage facilities, and self storage. Here, in the History of Self Storage, Paul Darden writes:

The switch to “self-storage” as we know it today, was started in the mid 1960s by the early pioneers such as Russ Williams, Bob Munn, Charles, Ronald, and Richard Bowyer, Louis Rochester and his many partners, Tom Brundage, Guy Robertson, and Sam Judge. To put their accomplishments into perspective, each of them was building prior to 1970. It was not until 1972 that Public Storage built their first facility in El Cajon, California.

Williams and his stepson Munn built the first self-storage facility in Texas called “A-1 U-Store-It U-Lock-It U-Carry the Key” in Odessa. Russ Williams worked his entire life in the oil industry, and in the 1960s he owned an oil industry service company. Russ and Bob were both avid fishermen, and they needed a place to store both their boats and their oil field equipment. Other firms in the oil industry also needed to have quick access storage for their equipment in the event of an emergency. According to Munn, Williams had seen some apartments somewhere with four to 10 garages side by side with common walls between them. (There was such a project in Irving, Texas built by Paul Nelson in 1962). Others have reported that Williams heard about the concept while ill in a hospital. Williams discussed the idea of building a storage facility with Louis Rochester in 1964. Rochester chose not to become a partner in the original building, but sold the land to Williams for that first facility.

Broadband providers and content owners opposed each other in the High Court, London, in a judicial review of the government’s attempts to control piracy online. BT and TalkTalk are challenging the legitimacy of parts of the Digital Economy Act.

Professor Stan Liebowitz from the University of Texas, who has published research about file-sharing, testified as a media expert witness. He provided evidence of piracy’s damage to the entertainment industry and opined on the internet service providers arguments regarding the potential harm of the new law.

Read more: ft.com.

Leasing expert witnesses may testify on commercial leasing, lease purchases, rental agreements, and related topics. In Equipping Business Success In An Improving Company William G. Sutton, CAE, President, Equipment Leasing and Finance Association writes:

Businesses are ramping up to meet increasing demand and market opportunities in response to continued signs of economic improvement. Acquiring equipment to operate and grow is critical, and for smart businesses, equipment financing is a key acquisition strategy. Equipment financing is tailored to individual business considerations, including that of maintaining cash reserves.

Read more: mtbmag.com.

Medical insurance expert witness Mr. L. Lamar Blount, – CPA, FHFMA, CFF, is the author of the AMA’s best selling book on physician reimbursement, Mastering the Reimbursement Process (Billing and Compliance).

The book guides users through the reimbursement process from start to finish and includes information on types of insurance and payers, coding systems, insurance processing and review and appeals. Also included are chapters on electronic claims processing, compliance plans for physicians, and privacy and confidentiality issues, including HIPAA as well as an appendix on OIG Compliance and Internet Resources.

Read more: healthlawnetwork.com.

Genetics expert witnesses may write reports and opine on genetic diagnosis, prenatal testing, medical genetics, and related topics. Virtual Medical Practice LLC writes that the number of diseases in humans known to be attributable to inherited inborn errors of metabolism exceeds 500.

While individually rare, collectively these disorders account for a significant proportion of illness particularly in children. A recent study in a major US pediatric hospital found that an underlying disorder with a significant genetic component was found in 71% of admitted children. The vast majority (96%) of underlying chronic disorders in children in this study were either clearly genetic or had a genetic susceptibility.

Read more: virtualmdpractice.com.

Entertainment expert witnesses may testify on motion picture distribution, media piracy, royalties, and related topics. In Protecting Creativity, Expanding Consumer Choice, the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. writes:

Respect for copyrights is central to the ability of creative artists to make great movies and TV shows and help our economy grow. The MPAA and its member companies are committed to protecting the rights of those who create the content we love. We are also committed to embracing new technologies and innovative approaches that enable consumers to enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows in exciting and flexible ways. Indeed, the motion picture industry has always been at the forefront of such innovation. Think of the transition from silent pictures to sound or black-and-white to color or, today, 2D to 3D.

Read more: mpaa.com.

In What the Defendant Can Do Wrong, security management and risk management expert witness Ira Somerson, BCFE, CPP, CSC, writes on security oversight:

Unfortunately security managers are not taught security management in business schools. Most security problems are business and people problems, but still no serious effort exists (with an established business school) to provide this important curricula to future business executives. Security is taught within criminology curricula, but that is more like preaching to the choir. As a result, a business organization’s operation is usually not structured to include and coordinate security oversight. It is often left to others, not qualified to understand security risks, to assume this important stewardship. This could be an argument for hiring a security manager if your organization does have unique and developed security threats, but it also begs the issue of ensuring that other disciplines within an organization include analysis of security threats in their agenda. For example: audit, safety/environmental, operations, human resources, legal and/or facilities are routinely exposed to security issues. Discovery and investigation will more often than not identify that organizations do not understand or provide desired stewardship of security within their organization.

Property insurance expert witnesses may write reports and opine on flood insurance, earthquake insurance, home insurance, and related topics. Here, Sheryl Devereaux, Houston Political Buzz Examiner, reports on Texas House Committee legislation regarding property insurance:

Impassioned and expert testimony about two bills in the Texas Legislature, HB 272 and HB2818, attempting to solve problems with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) lasted hours in hearing by the House Committee on Insurance today. The committee discussed the claims of the authors, Representatives Smithee, and Taylor respectively, to improve the psuedo-governmental agency and allow better efficiently and effectively pay out on claims.

Discussion focused upon ways to solve the failures of the organization that covers 14 coastal counties including Houston’s Harris County. The bills attempt to provide better efficiency to processing claims–that proved to be painfully sluggish after Ike, and greater transparency, including publishing the salaries of board and other employees of TWIA. The most controversial section of the bill is a clause that requires arbitration for a disputed or inefficiently processed claim rather than a law suit. One member of the panel argued that the Texas State Constitution provides the right of all citizens due process of the courts for remedy. The packed audience applauded.

Semiconductors expert witness Ron Maltiel includes links on his website to industry information which includes a Semiconductor Glossary. The purpose of the glossary is to “give you an instant explanation of key terms and concepts in the area of semiconductor materials, manufacturing and devices.”

You may also find links to:

Semicyclopedia

Long term disability insurance expert witnesses may opine on disability income insurance, state disability insurance, disability insurance benefits, and related topics. In How To Prepare For Your Disability Hearing, Insurance News writes on the hearing process and what to expect:

You’ll probably be in a room with the judge, a hearing assistant who will record the proceedings, any witnesses and, if you have one, your SSDI representative. The Administrative Law Judge also may ask medical or vocational experts to attend and offer their opinions. The medical expert, a doctor, will review your medical records and give his or her opinion about your testimony. The vocational expert will respond to hypothetical questions from the judge about any limitations related to your ability to work.

The ALJ may ask questions about your disability, pain level, and how your disability affects you life. They usually won’t ask technical questions because this information is in your file. When you answer questions, don’t just explain your medical condition. Instead, thoroughly describe how your condition affects your life. For example, tell the judge if you are unable to sit, stand, walk or concentrate. Do not exaggerate your condition.