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Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

Principal / CEO, CCA

Recent Posts

CCA adds Structural Engineer

[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 12, 2017 11:00:00 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

CCA is pleased to welcome John O'Rourke, Structural Engineer

With deep expertise in residential, commercial, and industrial engineering, John O’Rourke has recently joined CCA’s New York City office as a Structural Engineer.

Mr. O’Rourke’s experience in the roles of Structural Engineer and Project Engineer have spanned across a multitude of residential, commercial, and industrial engineering projects. His direct experience is the result of working within engineering groups consisting of Civil, Structural, Architectural, Building Mechanical, Electrical and Process Piping Engineering Departments.

In addition to his background in engineering, Mr. O’Rouke has gained in depth design experience. His designs include: structural steel buildings, seismic design, shallow foundations, wood structures and buildings, and masonry. Additionally, he has provided special designs for retaining structures and avalanche shielding structures.

 

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CCA adds senior HVAC, Energy, and Mechanical Engineering expert

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 23, 2017 8:33:22 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

CCA is pleased to welcome Paul Dudley Smith, PE, CEM

Dudley joins us as a senior Mechanical Engineer with over thirty years of experience in the design, construction and testing of HVAC, piping, and other mechanical systems. Mr. Smith has performed a myriad of mechanical system analysis projects, studies, reports, designs and specifications. Dudley has provided project management, construction oversight services, and client support for various projects. Mr. Smith is a Certified Energy Manager providing direction and support for energy decisions and conducts energy studies and audits.

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Climate Disasters Cost the U.S. $46 Billion

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 17, 2017 11:21:13 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE


2016 was recorded as the second-warmest year to date according to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information report. According to NOAA, "Some extreme weather and climate events have increased in recent decades." A staggering $46 billion has been spent in damages due to climate-based disasters in 48 U.S. states. Unfortunately, these types of disasters not only cause monetary damages but have taken the lives of at least 138 people.

The yearly report included seven types of climate related disasters, which included droughts, hurricanes, and winter storms throughout the country. The news is opening up new discussions on how best to resiliently build in coastal areas that could be affected and where would the funds come from to pay for such mitigation. Once catastrophes occur, insurance companies and governmental agencies, such as FEMA and states, pay for losses. In addition, individuals absorb losses.

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Using Experts to Solve Log Jams in Construction Defect Settlements

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 17, 2016 9:23:15 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE


It is no secret that construction defect liability claims can become incredibly complicated. When something goes awry after tenants have moved in, the finger pointing game begins. Was it a design flaw or was something installed improperly? Did equipment fail or did the property manager improperly maintain it? Should the construction contractor have realized the engineers made a mistake?   When the stakes become large, which insurance company should be on the hook?

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Top Builder to Pay for Condo Defense

[fa icon="calendar'] Jun 6, 2016 10:00:00 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

The verdict is in! After many years and a 38-day trial a Florida six-person jury has ordered one of America's largest home builders to pay up to $9.6 million in damages. This amount is due to alleged defective stucco, roofs, and windows in a 240-unit complex located in Jacksonville, a recent Durability and Design article explains



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New Jersey Fire Officials Demand Tougher Code

[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 9, 2015 4:06:14 PM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

On August 24th, The Journal of Light Construction reported on New Jersey fire officials are looking for change - and are concerned that policymakers are dragging their feet seven months after a runaway apartment building fire. 

"At issue in New Jersey is the question of whether stick-frame construction — what firefighters are calling "lightweight wood construction" — should be allowed in multifamily dwellings at all. Two identical bills under consideration in the state Assembly and the Senate would impose a two-year moratorium on permitting and building of stick-framed apartments or condominiums while officials study the question."

Read more about the situation here: http://www.jlconline.com/coastal-contractor-news/new-jersey-fire-officials-demand-tougher-code_o

 

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Construction Defect Litigation: Engaging Your Expert Witness

[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 1, 2015 4:30:00 PM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

About this blog series:

An expert witness can make or break your construction defect case.  Unlike many other types of litigation, construction cases (of all types) are often “expert driven” in determining ultimate liability and damages. The ability of the expert not only to qualify but to work and communicate clearly and objectively with counsel and client is key.

Having served as an expert witness in hundreds of cases over the past twenty years, I believe that the expert witness who can distill complex processes into plain and simple language leaves an indelible impression on judges, juries, arbitrators, and other triers of fact.  

In this series of blog posts, I offer insight gained from my experience as a forensic expert, as well as in managing and working with other experts on cases both big and small. My experiences include working as a litigation consultant to assist carriers, counsel, and corporate clients in construction defect, breach of contract, E&O, and property claims litigation in a multitude of venues throughout the United States My hope is that those of you who retain expert witnesses will find value in understanding the perspective from the other side when vetting an expert you may not have worked with before. Even if you know the expert, these steps may provide you with insights that will enhance your dialogue with the expert and maximize the relationship and the outcome of any retention. 

Whether you are engaging an expert on behalf of a litigant party or as a non-testifying consultant, these tips may provide insights that will help to ensure that the engagement meets your needs and expectations.

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Algae-Harvesting Technology Turns Frack California Water Into Irrigation Water

[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 7, 2015 7:05:44 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

On July 22nd, Engineering News-Record reported that OriginClear Inc. "has repurposed its machines to tackle flow-back water from the oil-and-gas industry." 

"The technology uses a filtration system called electro water separation (EWS), which employs electrochemistry to separate the flow-back water from the oil and chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. In the same way, EWS can treat produced water from conventional oil and gas wells"

Read more about the technology and its possible uses here: http://enr.construction.com/technology/construction_technology/2015/0722-algae-harvesting-technology-turns-frac-californian-water-into-irrigation-water.asp

 

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Brooklyn construction defects on the rise

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 9, 2015 11:20:12 AM / by Mark McGivern, CSI, Aff. M. ASCE

Following a Brooklyn building boom, The New York Times reported on March 6th that construction defect cases are on the rise. 

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