Wind & Tornado Claims

Forensic Weather Consultants reports help adjusters, engineers and attorneys involved in property damage or personal injury cases involving wind. These claims may (or may not) have been caused by strong to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, or area-wide wind events following a strong cold front, for instance. Other times they may involve a fallen tree or blown-down sign when the winds were light. Our research, findings and written reports help our clients make important decisions in wind-created opening claims, roof leaks, scaffolding and crane collapses, and fallen trees and tree limbs.

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Wind, Thunderstorm and Tornado Reports for Any Address

It can be very difficult to determine if high winds or a tornado occurred at a specific incident location. Thunderstorms and tornadoes can be short-lived and they often go unreported on NOAA records. A thunderstorm microburst usually lasts only 2-5 minutes and covers an area of less than 2.5 miles. Many times severe winds in these thunderstorms aren’t recorded, don’t move over airports, or weaken by the time they are measured. It does not mean that intense winds didn’t occur at the incident location. Other times, a date of loss is based on a TV news report, a county weather warning, or a Local Storm Report when a thunderstorm wasn’t even close to the property. In personal injury claims, falling trees, or scaffolding collapses, it is important to find out how high the winds were, when they occurred, and if they were well forecasted. The way to find out what was occurring is through a reliable, site-specific analysis.

Similar to the other types of cases we work on, we can perform a detailed analysis for the exact incident location to determine how high the winds were, if a tornado occurred, or if the thunderstorms or high winds were forecasted. If requested, we also prepare Federal Rule 26 reports that list all of the sources of data relied upon, the methodology employed, numerous images and data, and our conclusions. These reports can be used internally to document a claim, submitted to the court with a sworn affidavit, exchanged, or given to other experts such as engineers so they can include our findings in their calculations, conclusions and reports. Using this approach reduces the chance for a Daubert challenge or court ruling precluding crucial evidence and opinions of non-meteorologists.

Customer Testimonials

My client’s beachfront home was damaged by winds and flood waters resulting from a hurricane. My client’s homeowners’ insurance company paid a pittance for the wind damage while claiming that all the remaining damage was from the flood waters home. I hired Howard as an expert witness to help me explain to the jury the wind speeds that impacted the home, when the wind damaged the home, how long the wind was battering the home, and also explain how the flood waters didn’t arrive until after the home was already damaged by the wind. Howard was one of the best witnesses I’ve put on the stand in my 33 years of practice. He explained everything to the jury in simple and understandable terms, helping me prove the home was total loss from wind damage. His demeanor, cadence, intonation and professorial approach with the jury was simply superb. I would hire him again in a heartbeat.

Mark Nation

Trial Attorney

Howard Altschule made a great expert witness in a complex motor vehicle vs. tractor trailer case where the weather played a critical role in understanding the liability aspect of the case. Howard was easy to work with and quite knowledgeable in the area of forensic meteorology. He also adapted well to some unpredictable rulings received from the Court and developed a good rapport with the jury. I would not hesitate to use Howard again in any future trials!

Edward J. Smith III

Defense Trial Attorney

Under a very tight time frame, Howard Altschule was able to collect and analyze literally dozens of NWS reports and warnings and offered a qualitative opinion of the storm event, setting it in its proper historical context. I would recomend his services to anyone involved in litigation where weather conditions may have been a factor.

William Hurst

Defense Attorney

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Contact us to learn how Forensic Weather Consultants can provide you with accurate and reliable weather information to help you make informed claims coverage or case decisions.

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