Construction Expert Witness Services

What sets Florida Construction Specialists apart in expert witness work is our principal's rare combination of both construction and insurance industry experience. Frank Bragano doesn't just understand how buildings are constructed—he understands how claims are adjusted, how coverage is interpreted, and how disputes arise between policyholders and carriers.

From 1982 to 1989, Frank served as a Commercial Property adjuster for Allstate, gaining firsthand experience in how insurance carriers evaluate claims, determine coverage, and calculate damages. He later served as an Executive General Adjuster for CJW-Vericlaim/Sedgwick, handling large-loss commercial claims across the country. This carrier-side experience provides invaluable insight when testifying about insurance disputes.

Since founding Florida Construction Specialists, Frank has completed over $25 million in construction projects, including complex hurricane restoration, historic preservation, and commercial construction. This hands-on construction experience ensures testimony is grounded in real-world building practices, not just theoretical knowledge.

This dual perspective—understanding both how buildings are built and how claims are handled—makes our expert witness testimony particularly effective in cases involving insurance coverage disputes, scope disagreements, and construction defect claims.

Site Investigation Techniques

Our site investigations employ systematic documentation methods designed to withstand scrutiny during cross-examination. We use professional photography equipment to document existing conditions, damage patterns, and construction details. Digital photography with embedded metadata provides timestamp verification and location information that supports testimony credibility.

When appropriate, we employ specialized investigation tools including moisture meters for detecting water intrusion, thermal imaging cameras for identifying insulation gaps or moisture patterns, and measuring equipment for verifying dimensions and compliance with plans. All measurements and readings are documented contemporaneously with detailed field notes.

Our investigation methodology includes coordination with other experts when cases require multiple disciplines. We work effectively with structural engineers, architects, environmental consultants, and forensic accountants to develop comprehensive case understanding while maintaining clear boundaries between our expertise and other professional disciplines.

Document Review and Analysis

Thorough document review forms the foundation of credible expert testimony. Our review process encompasses construction contracts, plans and specifications, change orders, progress reports, inspection records, material certifications, and warranty documentation. We identify discrepancies between contractual requirements and actual construction that may affect case outcomes.

For insurance-related cases, our document analysis includes policy language review, claim files examination, adjuster reports evaluation, and contractor estimates analysis. Our carrier-side experience enables identification of issues that may not be apparent to experts without insurance industry background. We understand how adjusters document their decisions and what factors influence coverage determinations.

Our analysis identifies timeline issues that often prove critical in construction disputes. We create detailed project chronologies showing when problems occurred, when they were discovered, when they were reported, and how they were addressed. These timelines help establish causation and responsibility in complex construction disputes.

Industry Standards Research

Credible expert testimony requires grounding in accepted industry standards and practices. Our research methodology includes review of applicable building codes, industry standards from organizations like ACI and ASTM, manufacturer installation requirements, and trade organization best practice guidelines. We distinguish between minimum code requirements and industry best practices when relevant to case issues.

We maintain a comprehensive technical library including current and historical building codes, enabling testimony about standards that were in effect when construction occurred. This historical perspective proves essential in cases involving older buildings or long-term construction projects where codes may have changed during construction.

Cost Analysis and Estimation

Our cost analysis methodology combines published cost data with actual project experience to develop credible estimates for repair, replacement, or completion costs. We use multiple cost databases including RSMeans, Marshall & Swift, and local subcontractor pricing to verify estimate reasonableness. Our estimates include detailed breakdowns of materials, labor, equipment, and overhead costs.

For insurance claims, we understand the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost calculations, depreciation methodologies, and code upgrade requirements. Our estimates address these insurance-specific considerations while maintaining accuracy in underlying cost calculations. We can testify about appropriate profit margins, overhead rates, and contingency allowances based on actual project experience.

Hurricane Damage Scope Dispute

A large commercial property sustained significant damage during Hurricane Irma, with the carrier's initial estimate significantly lower than the policyholder's restoration estimate. The dispute centered on whether certain damage was wind-related (covered) or resulted from pre-existing maintenance issues (excluded). Our investigation included detailed damage pattern analysis, review of pre-storm building condition, and evaluation of both estimates' methodology.

Our testimony addressed wind damage signatures, typical hurricane damage patterns for the building type and age, and appropriate repair techniques for addressing the identified damage. The case settled favorably after our deposition testimony demonstrated the technical basis for the policyholder's position and identified deficiencies in the carrier's damage assessment.

Construction Defect Litigation

A medical facility experienced recurring water intrusion issues within two years of completion, leading to litigation against the general contractor and roofing subcontractor. The case required analysis of building envelope design, construction sequencing, quality control procedures, and compliance with manufacturer specifications.

Our testimony covered industry standard construction practices for medical facility envelopes, proper waterproofing installation techniques, and the relationship between observed water intrusion patterns and construction deficiencies. The case resulted in a significant settlement that enabled complete building envelope remediation.

Historic Preservation Dispute

A municipality disputed a contractor's approach to historic courthouse restoration, claiming that modern materials and techniques violated Secretary of Interior Standards. The case required detailed analysis of preservation standards, appropriate restoration techniques for the building's period and condition, and cost implications of alternative approaches.

Our testimony addressed the balance between historic preservation requirements and practical building performance needs, appropriate use of modern materials in historic restoration, and industry standards for preservation work. The case resulted in approval of a modified approach that satisfied preservation requirements while ensuring long-term building performance.

Contractor Performance Dispute

An institutional project experienced significant delays and cost overruns, with the owner claiming contractor negligence and the contractor claiming owner-directed changes and unforeseen conditions. The case required analysis of project scheduling, change order documentation, and industry standards for project management and cost control.

Our testimony addressed reasonable construction productivity rates, appropriate change order pricing, and industry standards for documenting changed conditions. We provided detailed analysis of project timeline to identify responsibility for various delays and cost impacts. The case was resolved through mediation after our analysis clarified the technical basis for each party's claims.