Precise Investigations.
Defensible Results.
Forensic mechanical engineering and expert witness services for insurance carriers and legal professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Plumbing & Appliance Failures
- Plumbing supply lines & fixtures
- Water heaters
- Washing machines & appliances
- HVAC & boiler systems
- Sprinkler systems
- Forklifts & heavy equipment
Fire & Explosion Investigations
- Propane & natural gas
- Appliance fires
- Vehicle & equipment fires
- Farming & forestry equipment
- Chimney & cooking equipment
- Boat & marine
Automotive Investigations
- EDR / crash data retrieval
- Steering & suspension
- Brake system failures
- Wheel separation
- Seat belts & restraints
- Vehicle fires & motorcycles
One engineer on every case
James Laird, PE handles every assignment personally — site inspection, analysis, report, and testimony. You always know who is working your file.
Prompt response
CAE responds to new assignments within hours and can mobilize quickly for time-sensitive losses and fire scenes where evidence is at risk.
NFPA 921 fire investigations
All fire and explosion investigations follow the recognized national standard. Certified IAAI-CFI, CFEI, and CVFI. Opinions structured for Daubert.
Reports written for your use
Technically rigorous and written in plain language for attorneys and claims professionals — formatted for litigation support and coverage decisions.
Commercial water loss investigation. Case settled favorably for retained counsel.
“Due in large part to your excellent assistance.”
Plaintiff-side expert in a complex industrial machinery explosion. Analysis contributed to an eight-figure settlement.
Expert testimony on water damage to a secure government facility. Deposition testimony supported a favorable outcome.
All matters anonymized to protect client confidentiality.
Based in Bellingham, WA. Regularly serving clients in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Portland, Boise, and throughout the region.
National assignments accepted for complex cases. Travel time and expenses are billed at standard rates.