Service Overview
For much of Donan Engineering’s 60-plus years, we have received requests to evaluate an almost unending variety of appliances, tools, vehicles, plumbing components, electronics, parts, and fire-damaged items to determine the cause of their or an associated failure. These investigations are prompted by the desire to determine the potential for recovery via subrogation. The rapid growth of this aspect of our business is a direct reflection of our clients’ successful use of this tool to recovery monetary compensation from losses that in the past had been too small to be economically pursued.
A few years ago, Donan Engineering realized that many of its clients were faced with a difficult conundrum, with many of their smaller claims relating to losses created when a plumbing component, appliance part, or other small item failed. The claims were small, typical engineering costs were high, and the cause of the failure was uncertain. Should they invest in an expensive engineering investigation that would perhaps eat up most of any recovery they could achieve? Should they ignore the possibility of recovery because the odds of success were poor? As a result of these questions, many of these matters fell into an unresolved status.
To help our clients resolve these issues, Donan Engineering developed a cost-effective flat-fee program whose primary intent is to evaluate components and appliances and to provide an opinion regarding that failure’s cause. The accompanying report will state conclusively if the problem is the result of a manufacturer’s defect, an installation error, lack of maintenance, abuse, or a natural event such as lightning. A discussion of our opinion’s justification is also provided and is illustrated with digital photography. Whenever possible, our report will include the product’s brand, model, and serial numbers; its age; and the manufacturer’s contact information.
Once the project is completed we submit our finding to our clients in multiple formats to satisfy almost any need. We provide a signed hard copy of the report, a CD containing an electronic version and project documents, and an internet site where the report is posted for instantaneous availability. When the project is completed, the evidence will be returned via traceable means.
All testing and evaluations are conducted by qualified engineers whose backgrounds, experience, and training spans almost all disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, civil, metallurgical, and material science. If necessary, these engineers can provide depositions and court testimony in support of your actions.
Importantly, the large volume of these projects allows us to enjoy many efficiencies of scale that help keep our fees low, and also enhance our ability to spot failure trends. Our large, centrally-located laboratory allows us to acquire and develop specialized tools that further advance our testing abilities and efficiencies.
Although our clients do not share their subrogation data with Donan Engineering, their repeat business and messages of congratulations and thanks all give credence to our success.
Evidence Mail-In Program
Often, the failure of a small part or component can lead to enormous claims that mandate a commitment of traditional resources in an attempt to recover the monetary losses via subrogation. During Donan Engineering’s 60-year history, we have developed an unequalled knowledge base and assembled a professional engineering staff that has fulfilled these needs for clients nationwide.
We realize that many smaller claims do not warrant a commitment to long and costly engineering analysis that may prove no or limited recovery potential at best. As a result, you are left with the question of whether to gamble your limited resources or allow potential recovery dollars to slip away.
Donan Engineering’s Parts & Components Testing Laboratory was designed to help you solve this dilemma. For a very modest fee of typically $285, we will provide you with a fast and succinct evaluation of the failure, including our recommendations regarding subrogation against the manufacturer, installer, or other potentially responsible parties.
Based on the evidence and information provided, we attempt to provide you with the item’s manufacturer, model, and serial number as well as its age. Donan Engineering’s report will describe the mechanism and cause of the failure, further exploring any issues left unresolved by the evidence. Most important, we will make a clear and definitive statement of our opinion regarding subrogation potential.
Partial list of items that can be mailed using our Mail-In Kit
- Kitchen Products
- Valves
- Copper Pipe
- Extention Cords
- Surge Protectors
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- HVAC
- Water Filters
- Supply Lines
- AC
- Power Strips
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- Washing Machine Hoses
- Garbage Disposals
- Sump Pumps
- Environmental
- Construction
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