EXPERT WITNESS SUPPORT · INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL REVIEW
Clear, defensible civil engineering opinions.
Expert witness support for civil engineering disputes, and limited independent technical review for a defined question or decision. Engagements are accepted from both plaintiff and defense counsel, subject to conflict review and an appropriate technical scope. Opinions are based on the available evidence, regardless of the retaining party.
Which Do You Need?
Expert witness support — for attorneys handling a matter already in, or heading toward, litigation. Causation analysis, site inspection, written opinions, deposition preparation, rebuttal review, and mediation support.
Limited independent technical review — for owners, developers, municipalities, agencies, contractors, and counsel who need a specific site, infrastructure, or development question answered before it becomes a dispute.
If you are not certain which applies, describe the situation and I will tell you.
Expert Witness Support
Independent technical review, causation analysis, site inspections, written opinions, deposition support, rebuttal review, and litigation consulting for disputes involving civil site infrastructure.
Common Matters
- Stormwater pond performance, drainage, and flooding
- Grading, erosion, pavement, access, and civil site defects
- Utility conflicts, easements, and infrastructure failures
- Construction and maintenance-related conditions
- Standard of care, cost-to-cure, and remedial concepts
A Practical, Evidence-Based Approach
Expert work should separate fact from assumption, identify what can and cannot be concluded, and explain complex engineering issues in plain language. Each engagement is grounded in careful document review, site-specific analysis, construction and maintenance context, clear limitations, and straightforward communication.
I do not approach expert work as advocacy disguised as engineering. The objective is a technically sound opinion that is understandable, supportable, and useful to counsel and decision-makers.
Typical Support
- Initial case screening and technical issue identification
- Site inspection and condition documentation
- Review of plans, permits, construction records, and maintenance history
- Drainage, stormwater, utility, and site-civil evaluation
- Chronology development and causation analysis
- Opinion letters, reports, deposition preparation, and rebuttal review
- Mediation and settlement support
Limited Independent Technical Review
Independent technical support for attorneys, owners, developers, municipalities, agencies, and contractors who need clarity on a specific site, infrastructure, or development issue—not a full-service engineering design practice.
Defined-Scope Services
- Site feasibility and development due diligence
- Constructability and civil-site risk review
- Review of agency or permit comments
- Owner-side technical support
- Construction-phase issue review
Practical, Not Academic
A useful review should identify the core issue, the information that is missing, the risks that matter, the available options, and the next practical step. The scope is tailored to the decision at hand and documented with clear assumptions and limitations.
Who I Support
Attorneys — Early technical screening, document review, and issue framing before a matter expands.
Owners and Developers — Independent perspective on feasibility, constraints, constructability, and infrastructure risk.
Municipalities and Agencies — Focused review of drainage, utilities, site conditions, and public-infrastructure questions.
Contractors — Technical evaluation of changed conditions, site-civil conflicts, and practical remedial paths.
Example Engagements
- Evaluate whether observed flooding is consistent with the approved drainage design
- Identify the likely source and practical implications of a utility or easement conflict
- Review plans and field conditions before a major acquisition or construction decision
- Assess whether a proposed remedial concept addresses the underlying site-civil issue
Independence and Conflict Review
Expert witness and technical review engagements offered through this site are conducted independently of my employment with Hussey Gay Bell. These services are provided in my individual capacity, and my firm is not retained through these engagements.
Every inquiry receives a conflict check before an engagement is confirmed. That review covers my own prior and current engagements as well as Hussey Gay Bell client relationships, so that potential conflicts are identified before any confidential or privileged material is exchanged.
Representative Matters
Selected matters are summarized and anonymized to protect client identities, confidential information, and ongoing proceedings.
Residential Flooding and Concentrated Stormwater Discharge
Retained to evaluate recurring flooding affecting multiple residences downstream of an adjacent development. The review included civil plans, stormwater calculations, permits, construction records, photographs, witness testimony, and site conditions. Independent calculations were used to evaluate whether changes from pre-development sheet flow to concentrated discharge, along with design assumptions and constructed conditions, contributed to the reported flooding. The engagement has also included evaluation of conceptual mitigation measures, cost considerations, expert reporting, deposition preparation, and mediation support.
Stormwater Basin Modification and Downstream Property Impacts
Retained to investigate flooding affecting a residence downstream of an older multifamily development and stormwater basin. Because original design and permitting records were limited, the assessment required a forensic reconstruction based on site observations, available construction information, historical photographs, interviews with maintenance personnel, independent calculations, and observed basin behavior. The review considered modifications to the basin, operation and maintenance of the primary outlet, use of the emergency spillway, downstream discharge conditions, and potential remedial approaches.
Culvert Failure Following Roadway Drainage Changes
Retained to evaluate the failure of replacement culverts on a large private parcel following drainage changes associated with a roadway expansion. Available roadway documents, construction records, field conditions, photographs, sketches, permitting information, and applicable engineering standards were reviewed. Independent hydraulic calculations were performed to assess culvert capacity, installation conditions, contributing drainage, and potential remedial measures. The matter was resolved through settlement.
Discuss a Matter
Whether you are evaluating a potential claim or need a focused answer to a specific site or infrastructure question, send a short description of the issue, the location, the timing, and the documents available. I will tell you whether an initial review makes sense and which type of engagement fits.
Email: travis@travisbasnett.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/travis-basnett
I respond to inquiries within one business day.
For dispute-related inquiries, please do not send confidential or privileged material until a conflict check has been completed and an engagement confirmed. Initial contact does not create an engineer-client relationship or expert engagement.
Information on this page is general and is not engineering advice for a specific matter or project. Services are provided only after appropriate review, agreement, and authorization.