Originally from Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation

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Jeff Kichaven had a property damage case arising from the 1994 Northridge earthquake in California.

The homeowners were claiming inadequate compensation from their own insurance company. The state legislature had passed a statute to increase time limits for filing claims. Each party hired an expert who participated in the mediation process. The homeowner expert focused on the damage to the foundation. There was an issue with the floors. This involved using a monometer which is a device that detects curvature in a hardwood floor.

During the session, the defense team asked if this entire structure had been moved from its original location. Jeff saw in the puzzled look by the plaintiff ’s counsel, who clearly did not know it had been built elsewhere and moved in 1958 to its current location.