Expert Civil, Heavy, Underground Construction:
Vehicle & Equipment Inspection

When construction equipment fails or underground systems collapse, the outcome isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a legal crisis. Civil and heavy construction projects rely on precise coordination between machinery, operators, and subgrade infrastructure. When something goes wrong, attorneys, insurers, and contractors need more than assumptions. They need an expert witness who knows what to look for—and how to prove it. At Discovery Experts, we specialize in the forensic inspection of civil, heavy, and underground construction vehicles and equipment. From boom truck failures to pipe bursting accidents, we deliver accurate, defensible insights for use in claims, depositions, mediation, and trial.

Why Expert Equipment Inspections Matter in Construction Disputes

In construction litigation, causation and accountability are everything. When a crane tips or a borehole ruptures a utility line, who’s at fault? Was it operator negligence? Improper planning? Equipment failure? These are the questions we answer.

Discovery Experts performs inspections with litigation in mind—looking at operational records, maintenance logs, jobsite conditions, and regulatory compliance. We dig deeper than surface inspections to understand what happened, why it happened, and how it relates to industry standards.

Our experts regularly support:

Contractors in defense of performance-related claims
Insurers evaluating high-dollar loss
Legal teams preparing for litigation or arbitration

Whether you’re facing a delay claim, personal injury lawsuit, or OSHA citation, our experts are trusted for clear, professional, and actionable findings.

Types of Equipment and Systems We Inspect

Civil and Heavy Construction Vehicles

These machines are the backbone of any construction site—and the source of many legal and safety issues.

Cranes & Boom Trucks

We inspect every aspect of crane incidents, including outrigger setup, lift planning, load chart interpretation, and weather impact. For example, if a boom truck collapses while lifting precast panels, we examine whether the outriggers were properly leveled, the ground was adequately compacted, and whether operator credentials were valid. Many tip-over cases involve a combination of design limitations and user misjudgment, which we help untangle.
Cement Trucks & Mixers

We assess rotation speeds, axle loading, drum maintenance, and delivery slope. A mixer that overturns on a curved site road may point to uneven weight distribution or improper slope navigation. We also evaluate braking systems and whether chute operations contributed to spillage or injury.
Excavators, Dozers, Backhoes

These machines are critical for trenching and grading—but also frequently involved in accidents. We investigate boom failures, bucket detachment, and accidental strikes to underground systems. Our inspection includes fluid levels, wear patterns, and swing radius measurements, along with a review of jobsite safety barriers and flagging protocols.
Compactors, Scrapers, Loaders

We analyze traction systems, vibratory component integrity, and structural stress indicators. On unstable fill or loose substrate, even minor vibration can cause sinkholes or structural failure. We determine whether compaction methods were consistent with soil reports and industry specifications.

Each report ties mechanical data to site conditions and operating practices—making the findings fully defensible in legal and insurance settings.

Underground Utility Equipment

Underground equipment failures are among the most complex in litigation. We inspect and evaluate trenchless technologies including:

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)

We investigate tracking accuracy, drill bit wear, fluid return rates, and borehole stability. If a gas line is struck, we analyze the pilot bore data, ground conditions, and whether the operator followed ANSI and ASCE guidelines.
Pipe Ramming & Jack & Bore Systems

These high-force systems demand precise alignment. We evaluate casing distortion, lubrication use, and soil resistance factors. We’ve seen ramming equipment push pipe into sewer lines due to misjudged trajectory—a claim where our borepath reconstruction clarified fault.
Pipe Bursting Rigs

When upsizing a main or replacing pipes without excavation, improper backfill or fragment displacement can damage adjacent lines. We inspect head assemblies, bursting pressure, pipe material compatibility, and trench compaction.
Vacuum Excavators & Hydro Augers

These are commonly used for potholing and non-destructive digging. Our inspections look at nozzle condition, spoil tank pressure, filter function, and ground surface integrity. In one case, improper nozzle pressure contributed to trench collapse—an issue our inspection confirmed with flow rate data.

We cross-reference equipment telemetry with field notes, locate records, and environmental data to build an airtight causal narrative.

Structures, Vaults, Manholes & Subsystems

Sometimes the equipment is fine—but the infrastructure fails.

Manholes and Handholes

We inspect frame setting, seal quality, depth-to-grade consistency, and material type. Collapses often stem from inadequate support or incorrect bedding.
Vaults and Substructures

We examine load ratings, utility entries, lid deflection, and evidence of previous repairs. In a recent claim, vault failure caused telecom outage across a city block. Our team traced the cause to rebar exposure and backfill washout—redirecting blame to a previous contractor.
Concrete and Composite Boxes

Structural panels can fail under traffic or seismic stress. We measure surface deflection, inspect anchor bolts, and test compressive strength where possible.

These components might be passive, but they often become the focal point of infrastructure disputes, especially when water intrusion or access failures create ripple effects.

Legal Support Services for Claims & Litigation

What sets Discovery Experts apart isn’t just our technical depth—it’s our litigation fluency.

What Makes Our Expert Witnesses Trial-Ready

Hands-on field experience

We’ve operated trenchless rigs, directed vault pours, and supervised public works sites. That firsthand knowledge adds credibility to our testimony and accuracy to our reports.
Legal-grade documentation

Every inspection includes photo logs, annotated schematics, a timeline of events, and references to industry standards such as OSHA, ASCE, ACI, and ASTM. Our reports are frequently cited in depositions and accepted in court without rebuttal.

Deposition and testimony experience

We have supported clients in state court, federal court, private arbitration, and insurance hearings. Our experts are comfortable under oath and focused on clarity.

Legal Case Types We Support

Construction site accidents involving cranes, trenching machines, or underground utility conflicts
Equipment failure due to poor maintenance, misuse, or improper specifications
Contract disputes over project delays, change orders, or equipment limitations
Utility damage and strike claims, especially in congested corridors
Personal injury or wrongful death cases related to civil and underground systems

We assist law firms, claims adjusters, and insurance defense teams with expert consultation from inspection through settlement or trial.

Utility Infrastructure: Multi-System Expertise

Modern underground construction rarely involves just one utility. Our clients count on us to inspect:

Gas & Petroleum Pipelines – We analyze weld joints, pressure loss data, and annular space fill integrity.
Electric Conduits & Vaults – We check for improper bonding, sealant failure, and damage from cross-phase exposure.
Water, Sewer & Storm Drain Systems – Our team assesses slope, grade, infiltration, and lateral connection failures.
Telecom & Fiber Optic Networks – We inspect splice points, conduit crimping, and enclosure grounding.

We investigate cases involving:

Cross-bores between systems
Strikes caused by outdated as-builts
Incompatible materials and junction points
Stormwater infiltration into power vaults

In every inspection, we identify who knew what, when—and whether industry best practices were followed.

Why Clients Choose Discovery Experts

We are trusted by construction attorneys, insurers, project managers, and general contractors for three core reasons:

We’ve done the work. Our experts have been on the jobsite, not just behind a desk.
We’re prepared for court. We’ve been qualified as expert witnesses, and we’re ready to defend our findings under oath.
We deliver clarity fast. Whether it’s a $10,000 claim or a $10 million case, we respond rapidly and deliver thorough reports on deadline.

Clients appreciate that we don’t “hedge” or equivocate. We give honest findings—even when they’re inconvenient—because they’re based on facts.

Discovery Experts has provided Construction Case Review services for such firms as:

FAQs

Do you handle cases nationally?

Yes. We’re based in California and serve clients throughout the United States.

Do you support plaintiffs or defendants?

Both. We provide unbiased forensic analysis, regardless of case side.

Are your experts qualified to testify?

Absolutely. We’ve testified in state, federal, and arbitration proceedings.

Do you only inspect, or also provide declarations?

We do both. Our team offers inspection, reporting, declarations, and courtroom testimony.

Civil, Heavy, Underground Construction Topics:

Request Expert Inspection for Heavy Equipment and Vehicle

Need a civil, heavy, or underground construction equipment inspection for a legal matter or insurance claim?

We can help. Discovery Experts offers rapid site inspections across the U.S, Expert declarations and legal exhibits, Forensic reporting that meets evidentiary standards, Support throughout depositions, arbitration, and trial.

Expert Civil, Heavy, Underground Construction:
Vehicle & Equipment Inspection

Why Expert Equipment Inspections Matter in Construction Disputes