Slide 1 : Damage Investigation
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
Welcome!
Conference Dial-in Number is: 866-682-9100
or 201-499-0417 (for international callers)
Participant Code: 8781124
The webinar will begin at 1:00pm (Eastern Time)
Slide 2 : A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
June 23, 2009 James J. Proszek
Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable,Golden & Nelson, P.C.
320 S. Boston Ave, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74103-3706
(918) 594-0529 (Office)
(918) 809-0487 (Cellular)
(918) 594-0505 (Facsimile)
jproszek@hallestill.com DAMAGE INVESTIGATIONWEBINAR
INVESTIGATIONANDDOCUMENTATION : INVESTIGATIONANDDOCUMENTATION Liability
Damages
LIABILITY : LIABILITY Photographs of site
Measurements
Identify and Interview
Documents
Physical Evidence
Reports
Miscellaneous
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SITE : PHOTOGRAPHS OF SITE Markings (flags, paint and permanent
markers)
Closest to the cut site
Approaches to cut site
Excavation itself
Surrounding area
Equipment involved
Contractor name and address
Perspective
Size
Distance
Landmarks
Edge of Pavement
Railroad Tracks
Photo log
Description
Distance
Direction
MEASUREMENTS : MEASUREMENTS To temporary markings
To permanent markings
Location and depth of facility
Depth of excavation
IDENTIFY AND INTERVIEW : IDENTIFY AND INTERVIEW Utility owner’s personnel
Excavator’s personnel
Third-party witnesses
Landowner
Correct identity and address
Project owner
General Contractor
All subcontractors
DOCUMENTS : DOCUMENTS Project drawings
One-Call ticket
Utility’s internal ticket
One-Call Center
One Call audiotape
As-built drawings
Internal Damage Reports
Diagrams
Cut site
Approaches to cut site
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE : PHYSICAL EVIDENCE Photos
Investigator
Ops Personnel
Warning tape
Warning Flags
Damaged cable
Damaged conduit
REPORTS : REPORTS Presume the report will be discovered by the opposing party in litigation
Presume you will be cross-examined in deposition and at trial by an attorney who will attempt to portray you as a blithering idiot
Facts - not opinions
Nouns and verbs rather than adjectives and adverbs
Diagrams and photos - A picture is worth a thousand words
Names, addresses, business cards of excavator, general contractor and project or land owner
Insurance information
Slide 11 : Cable Cut Investigation Report
[Brief Narrative Summary]
Description of Scene
Location
Nearest warning markers
Nearest street intersection
Other
Measurements
Dimensions of excavation area
Depth and offset of cable
a) at cut site
b) elsewhere
Distance to nearest above ground markers (both directions)
Distance to any locating markings, flags, etc.
Perpendicular distance from cable to line between markers
Length of cable disrupted
Distances to/from/within right-of-way
Other
Slide 12 : Cable Cut Investigation Report (cont.)
Photos
Photo log
Witnesses
Name
Address
Employer
Phone
Interview notes (attach)
Contractors / Third Parties on site
Foreman
Operators
Insurance Company
Equipment involved
Manufacturer
Model
Serial no. / identification no.
Owner / Lessee
Operator
Slide 13 : Cable Cut Investigation Report (cont.)
Chronology
(DATE / TIME IN CST or CDT) -- (EVENT)
Pre-cut activities
One-Call
Response
Documentation
Meetings with Contractors / Locators, etc.
Restoration Activities
Fiber Involved
Slide 14 : Cable Cut Investigation Report (cont.)
Miscellaneous
Documents gathered
One-Call
Ticket
Audio tape (from one-call center)
Contracts
Easement / Right-of-Way
“As-builts”
Strip Maps
Other
Conclusion
Addendum / Appendix
MISCELLANEOUS : MISCELLANEOUS Surreptitious recording
Audio portion of videotape - What seemed hilarious at the time is not nearly as funny at trial
Requests from adjusters or opposing counsel for interviews
DAMAGES : DAMAGES Documentation of blocked or
rerouted calls or circuits
impacted
Documentation of cost of
leasing replacement capacity
Contractor and material
invoices
Employee time sheets and
expense documentation
Lost jobs or other work
Slide 17 : PHOTOS CAN
WIN THE CASE
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Slide 22 : WHO DID IT
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Slide 24 : PUT IT
IN PERSPECTIVE
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Slide 28 : PHOTOGRAPH
THE APPROACH
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Slide 33 : WHERE ARE
THE MARKS
BAD EXAMPLE
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Slide 41 : WHERE ARE
THE MARKS
GOOD EXAMPLE
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Slide 45 : USE THE RULER
BAD EXAMPLE
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Slide 52 : USE THE RULER
GOOD EXAMPLE
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A CASE STUDY : A CASE STUDY
Slide 64 : Country Store Gas Station King Oil Pipeline HWY 9 Champion Cable SWB Cable Chickasaw Tel. Cable Water Line Pipeline Marker SWB Pedastal I-35 Champion Marker Power Pole
Slide 65 :
Key Points of Ticket: : Key Points of Ticket: Locate 12” Hi Pressure Line
"FROM I-35 & HWY 9 JUNCTION, GO APPROX ¼ MILE WEST, TURN NORTH INTO LOVES COUNTRY STORE. WILL BE DIGGING ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE EAST DRIVE ON STATE RIGHT OF WAY."
NE & SE Quarters
Work Date: April 8
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