Trenchless Construction:
Testimony from Industry-Leading Experts

Trenchless construction has transformed how we install and repair underground utilities, offering a way to get the job done with minimal surface disruption. But like any highly technical construction method, it comes with its share of risks—and when something goes wrong, the consequences can be costly. In these moments, expert testimony becomes not just helpful but essential. At Discovery Experts, we provide trenchless construction testimony that combines real-world engineering experience with clear, courtroom-ready communication. Whether it’s directional drilling gone off-course or pipe bursting that damages existing infrastructure, our experts help attorneys, insurers, contractors, and municipalities understand exactly what happened and why.

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Trenchless construction expert providing testimony during a utility litigation case

Understanding the Role of Discovery Experts in Trenchless Construction Testimony

Not all construction experts are created equal—especially when trenchless methods are involved. These underground techniques are intricate, and when disputes arise, you need more than a general contractor’s opinion. You need a trenchless construction expert who can speak both the language of engineering and the demands of litigation.

When Trenchless Construction Leads to Litigation

  • Imagine this: a directional drill is supposed to pass safely beneath a busy city intersection to lay a new fiber optic line. Instead, it accidentally strikes a sewer lateral, leading to a costly cross-bore incident and a cascade of insurance claims. Scenarios like this happen more often than you’d think, and they often involve complicated liability questions.

    Whether it’s environmental damage from groundwater intrusion or property loss due to bore path deviation, legal teams must rely on precise technical analysis. That’s where our testimony comes in—we help clarify how the project was designed, where it went wrong, and whether standards were followed.

Who Needs Expert Testimony?

  • Attorneys working on behalf of contractors, public agencies, utility providers, or insurance firms frequently call on us. If a trenchless construction dispute lands in court—or is heading that way—you’ll want someone who can translate complex issues into compelling, fact-based testimony. From contract disputes to injury claims, we’ve stood at the intersection of engineering and litigation for years.

Core Areas of Expertise in Trenchless Construction Disputes

Discovery Experts brings decades of specialized experience to cases involving trenchless construction. Our understanding of underground utility projects isn’t just academic—it’s rooted in field experience, forensic analysis, and litigation support.

Common Disputes in Trenchless Projects

  • Disputes often arise when boreholes collapse, lines are misaligned, or existing utilities are damaged during drilling. In some cases, improper hydro excavation or an incomplete locate scan may result in millions of dollars in property damage. These are not just minor hiccups—they’re serious, often preventable failures that demand investigation.

    When we get involved, we dive deep into the details. We examine bore logs, permits, construction drawings, video inspection footage, and GPS data. Our job is to establish whether industry protocols were followed and to identify points of failure with complete objectivity.

Specialized Methods That Require Deep Expertise

  • Let’s be clear: trenchless methods aren’t interchangeable. The failure points for pipe bursting are different from those for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) or jack and bore techniques. Our team is trained to analyze each method in its proper context—whether it’s hydro auger problems on a sewer install or pit launch drilling errors in a telecom conduit job.

    We’ve worked on claims involving everything from misaligned fiber optic installations to overpressurized gas lines. And because we understand the nuances of each technology, our testimony speaks directly to the heart of the dispute.

For more on these niche project types, visit our litigation support services page.

The Importance of Expert Witness Services in Utility Construction Cases

You can’t overstate the stakes when a trenchless construction project goes wrong in the utility space. Whether it’s water, gas, petroleum, or electric infrastructure, these systems serve thousands—and mistakes can be catastrophic.

Risk Areas in Utility Infrastructure

  • Picture this: a drilling crew is installing conduit for a new telecommunications line. They think the path is clear, but they’ve missed a petroleum line marked incorrectly on the map. The result? A breach that halts construction, triggers emergency services, and sends the project into legal limbo.

    Trenchless utility work carries unique risks because it often involves navigating crowded, underground corridors filled with aging and often unmapped infrastructure. The margin for error is razor thin. We’ve provided trenchless construction testimony for projects involving utility construction claims where even small missteps led to serious consequences.

The Benefit of Industry-Focused Testimony

  • Attorneys and claims professionals need more than just a general explanation—they need a credible expert who can interpret utility drawings, identify deviations from accepted standards, and explain them in plain language to a judge or jury. That’s what we do every day.

Key Qualifications of a Trenchless Construction Expert Witness

Our experts don’t just understand trenchless methods—they live them. They’ve designed bore paths, overseen HDD operations, managed crisis response after cross-bores, and written reports that stand up in court.

Trenchless construction expert witness observing directional drilling operation

Industry Standards and Legal Competency

  • Each of our trenchless experts is credentialed with licenses such as Professional Engineer (PE) and maintains affiliations with groups like the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT). But qualifications alone don’t win cases—what matters is the ability to explain what happened, why it matters, and who bears responsibility.

    We’re skilled at preparing reports, affidavits, and depositions that meet evidentiary standards. Whether you’re representing the plaintiff or the defense, you can rely on Discovery Experts to deliver courtroom-ready support.

Why Clients Trust Discovery Experts for Litigation Support

We’ve spent years supporting trenchless construction disputes across the U.S., building a reputation for precision, impartiality, and results. Clients don’t just hire us for our expertise—they hire us because they know we understand how to communicate that expertise where it matters most.

Our Track Record with Trenchless Claims

  • In one case, we were brought in after a city contractor’s HDD operation struck a water main, flooding several homes. Our team traced the incident back to an outdated utility map and poor bore path planning. Our testimony helped the municipality mitigate damages and led to a favorable settlement.

    Whether it’s a broadband provider facing a claim over fiber optic conduit collapse or a petroleum line project under federal scrutiny, our job remains the same: find the facts, explain them clearly, and support our clients at every legal step.

Our Process for Trenchless Construction Testimony Services

Every case we take on starts with a thorough intake and investigation. We tailor our process to the complexity of each dispute, but the goal is always the same: deliver clear, technically sound, and legally defensible insights.

Technical Review and Documentation

  • We begin by gathering all available documentation—plans, bore logs, permits, GPS logs, and inspection footage. Our team conducts site visits when necessary and performs a comprehensive review to understand whether proper methods were used and what may have gone wrong.

    This isn’t a one-size-fits-all analysis. For a gas line damaged during pipe ramming, we approach the review differently than we would for a jack & bore sewer installation. That flexibility—and precision—is what sets us apart.

Report Development and Legal Presentation

  • Once we’ve completed our review, we prepare detailed reports outlining our findings and conclusions. These reports are written for clarity, knowing they may be scrutinized by opposing counsel. Our experts are also available for depositions, affidavits, mediation presentations, and live trial testimony—whatever the legal process demands.

Industry Case Studies & Trends in Trenchless Litigation

As more municipalities and contractors adopt trenchless methods, we’re seeing a corresponding rise in legal disputes. Why? Because while these techniques minimize surface disruption, they increase underground risk and complexity.

Case in Point: A large telecom project used HDD to install fiber beneath a city street. But improper pre-locate procedures led to a gas line puncture. The result? Evacuations, emergency repairs, and a five-party lawsuit. Discovery Experts was called in to analyze the bore plan and safety protocols. Our analysis helped resolve the dispute in arbitration.

These real-world cases remind us that trenchless methods demand precision—and when things go sideways, expert insight is crucial. Learn more about our work on our Experience page

Frequently Asked Questions About Trenchless Construction Testimony

When should I hire a trenchless construction expert witness?

Ideally, as soon as a dispute arises or litigation is being considered. Early involvement ensures critical documentation and evidence are preserved for proper analysis.

What information do you need to evaluate a case?

We typically review bore logs, permits, construction drawings, GPS files, inspection videos, and any correspondence or reports tied to the project.

How is trenchless construction litigation different from other types of disputes?

The issues are often hidden underground, requiring advanced analysis techniques. It’s less about what you can see and more about what you can prove with data.

Do you work for both plaintiffs and defendants?

Yes. Our goal is to deliver objective, fact-based analysis. We’ve supported both sides of trenchless disputes across dozens of cases.

Trusted by Industry Leaders in Utility Litigation

We’ve provided trenchless construction testimony for leading law firms, engineering consultants, insurers, and municipal agencies nationwide. Our expertise has been applied to projects involving gas mains, water lines, telecom conduits, and sewer rehabilitation—helping our clients resolve complex claims with confidence.

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

Southern California Edison Co.
Vast Networks (CVIN)
Quinn Caterpillar (California)
Vermeer Corporation
Salvation Army
City of Oceanside, CA
City of Glendale, CA
City of Santa Monica, CA
City of Inglewood, CA
City of Kansas City, MO
Gulf & Ship Island R/R Co
Tri-Pointe Homes
Rutan & Tucker Law
Ciancio Ciancio Brown Law
Franko Moroney LLC
Grant Genovese & Baratta LLP
Bullivant Houser Bailey PC, Attorneys
Long & Delis Law
Schumann Rosenberg LLP
Bush & Ramirez PLLC

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Contact Us for Expert Trenchless Construction Testimony

Don’t let technical complexity derail your case. Whether you’re facing a trenchless construction failure, utility dispute, or infrastructure claim, Discovery Experts is ready to help.

Our experts offer detailed evaluations, trusted reporting, and persuasive testimony—delivered with the professionalism your case demands.

Contact us today!
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Services Areas

  • Headquartered in Temecula, CA.
  • Servicing clients across all of the United States.

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.

Civil, Heavy, Underground Construction Services