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Trenchless construction has revolutionized how utilities are installed and repaired—quietly threading new infrastructure beneath roads, rivers, and cities without turning everything upside down. But when something goes wrong underground, the fallout isn’t invisible. Disputes over damaged fiber lines, misaligned bores, or project delays can get complicated fast. When legal action follows, having the right expert on your side can make all the difference. That’s where Discovery Experts steps in. We provide technical and litigation support at every legal stage—deposition, mediation, arbitration, and trial—for trenchless construction cases. Whether you’re representing a contractor, utility, municipality, or insurer, we bring clarity to complex issues and strengthen your position with facts, engineering insight, and real-world experience.
Let’s face it—trenchless construction isn’t always smooth sailing. You’ve got subsurface utility maps that may be outdated, unpredictable soil conditions, and techniques like HDD or pipe bursting that require precision. It’s no surprise that when issues arise, they can spark serious legal battles.
Expert witnesses in these situations aren’t just helpful—they’re often essential. They investigate technical failures, analyze bore paths, determine causation, and explain complex engineering concepts in language judges, juries, and mediators can actually understand.
Take, for example, a directional drilling project that disrupted a fiber optic trunk line because of a misinterpreted locate ticket. Our expert reviewed bore logs, GPS data, and site conditions, then helped the legal team demonstrate that the contractor had followed industry standards—and that liability fell elsewhere. That kind of insight doesn’t just explain the situation—it can tip the scale of the entire case.
At Discovery Experts, our trenchless consultants are more than engineers. They’re trusted guides in some of the most technically demanding construction disputes out there.
Disputes involving trenchless methods aren’t one-size-fits-all—and neither is our approach. We tailor our services based on the legal phase you’re in and the complexity of the case.
Want to see how our team supports legal strategy beyond trenchless construction? Explore our construction litigation services.
Trenchless projects are complex by nature. The stakes are high, and even a small miscalculation can trigger expensive consequences. We see a range of legal issues across the board—each requiring a sharp eye and deep technical know-how to sort out.
For example, a pipe ramming operation may inadvertently damage a nearby gas line because as-built drawings were inaccurate. Or perhaps a storm drain system is compromised during a pit launch because soil conditions were misjudged. These events often lead to finger-pointing between contractors, engineers, and municipalities.
Other times, disputes arise around contract terms. Who was responsible for verifying locates? Was a change order required before adjusting bore depth? These aren’t just paperwork issues—they can decide who pays for damage, delays, and legal costs.
Add in trenchless-specific techniques like jack and bore or hydro auger drilling, and the technical layers multiply. Our role is to untangle those layers, establish a timeline, determine fault, and support your legal case with precision.
Need help evaluating delays or design flaws in your case? Visit our page on defects and construction delays.
The real challenge with trenchless construction isn’t what you see—it’s what you don’t. Underground infrastructure is a complex, invisible network. When things go wrong, proving what happened takes more than guesswork—it takes data, tools, and experience.
That’s why our utility damage experts rely on technologies like bore tracking, video inspections, and excavation records to pinpoint the who, what, and how. Whether it’s a fiber optic line clipped by a misdirected drill or a sewer lateral collapsed from pipe bursting, we analyze every detail to get to the truth.
We’ve worked on cases involving everything from telecommunications to petroleum pipelines. One project involved a mislocated storm drain that flooded a residential block after trenchless upgrades. We traced the cause back to a utility mislabel on the site drawings—something only an experienced eye would catch.
Avoiding common mistakes—like misreading soil borings or assuming locates are always accurate—can mean the difference between winning and losing a case. That’s the level of analysis Discovery Experts brings to your team.
There are expert witnesses, and then there are construction litigation experts who live and breathe trenchless. At Discovery Experts, we don’t just review projects—we’ve designed, executed, and evaluated hundreds of them. That firsthand knowledge is what sets us apart.
Our team brings a multidisciplinary background that spans civil engineering, construction management, and forensic investigation. We’ve worked on jobs involving auger boring under freeways, HDD in sensitive wetlands, and utility replacements in urban cores. We’ve seen the field from every angle—and we know what courts expect.
Here’s what our clients value most:
For a broader look at our expert credentials, visit our expert witness services.
We know legal cases don’t follow a straight line. But our process does. We’ve built a structured, thorough approach to trenchless litigation support that’s designed to keep your case strong from start to finish.
Trenchless technology is booming—especially with the rise of broadband expansion, aging sewer systems, and environmental pushback on open-cut excavation. But with that growth comes a rise in legal challenges.
We’ve recently seen an increase in claims related to frac-outs (uncontrolled fluid release), especially in HDD projects near waterways or wetlands. Regulators are watching closely, and violations can bring heavy penalties. In one case, a contractor’s HDD operation led to a slurry release in a protected area. Our expert showed how improper planning and faulty soil data led to the event—leading to a strong case resolution.
Another trend: municipalities are facing more trenchless claims tied to utility replacement projects. Often, it’s unclear which contractor was responsible for verifying locates. These are high-stakes situations where expert insight is essential.
When should I bring in a trenchless construction expert?
Ideally during the early stages of a claim. Getting expert input before mediation or depositions allows your legal team to shape a stronger strategy.
How is expert involvement different in arbitration versus trial?
In arbitration, we often serve as neutral technical authorities who help resolve disputes quickly. In trial, we take on a more formal role—presenting findings under oath and responding to challenges.
What makes someone qualified to be a trenchless construction expert witness?
Experience matters. Look for someone with hands-on field experience in trenchless techniques, strong forensic skills, and a track record of testifying in similar cases.
Discovery Experts has supported trenchless construction litigation for telecom companies, gas utilities, general contractors, and municipalities across the U.S. From pit launch directional drilling to high-stakes HDD projects, our team has provided trusted insights on disputes big and small.
We’re not new to this. Our trenchless experts have been called in on public infrastructure upgrades, private utility conflicts, and everything in between. And whether we’re testifying in a courtroom or resolving issues at a mediation table, our goal is the same: deliver clarity where others see confusion.
You don’t need to tackle complex underground disputes alone. Let Discovery Experts bring clarity, credibility, and construction know-how to your legal team. From expert reports to courtroom testimony, we’ve got you covered.
Discovery Experts, led by founder Brian H. Aanestad, is your premier source for expert witness services in construction and transportation. With over 39 years of experience, we bring unparalleled expertise to every challenge, ensuring excellence is always the standard.