Multi Party Joint Forensic Engineering Investigations In Litigation And Mediation/Arbitration Joint Field Survey Process

Abstract

In Order To Reduce The Amount Of Disagreements At The Resolution Stage Of The Damage To An Absolute Minimum, The Marine Industry, Over A Period Of Many Years Has Established A Procedure That Addresses The Investigation Into Cause. And Efforts At Repairing Damage, While Also Streamlining The Eventual Question As To Who Is Ultimately Going To Pay For The Damages. This Procedure Is Called The Joint Field Survey. The Intent Of The Joint Field Survey Is To Produce A Written Field Survey Report. In The Marine Industry, Properly Performed Field Surveys And Properly Prepared Field Survey Reports Have Greatly Reduced The Extent Of Later Dispute Resolution, And Have Greatly Reduced The Costs To The Responsible Party. This Paper Will Discuss The Joint Field Survey Process And Will Make Suggestions As To How It Can Be Applied In The Non-Marine Field.