Expert Witness Testimony

• Chlorinated Organic Plume: Cirrus provided expert witness testimony regarding the genesis of chlorinated organic impacts in an industrial park that assisted in the responsible party settling the case and allowing our client to sell the property

• Consulting Services Evaluation: Cirrus provided expert witness testimony regarding services provided by another consulting firm that did not meet industry standards. Through evaluation of the services provided, we were successful in helping to drive a settlement in the case where the former consultant's professional liability insurance carrier agreed to pick up the remaining costs to closure

• Air Force Base TCE Plume: Cirrus staff was engaged by plaintiffs' attorneys to serve as an expert witness regarding groundwater contamination emanating from an Air Force base in Texas.  Cirrus worked with a team of experts including a toxicologist and a chemical engineer familiar with industrial processes and equipment.  The groundwater contaminant of concern was trichloroethylene (TCE), which is a solvent that was used as a degreaser in cleaning airplane parts, in this instance. The primary source of the TCE was determined to be an industrial wastewater line adjacent to flightline mechanical shops that serviced aircraft at the base.  Cirrus was deposed by United States Department of Justice attorneys regarding (1) potential contaminant sources, (2) groundwater contaminant migration issues and (3) sampling and analysis protocol and their implications as it pertained to the delineation of TCE contamination within the aquifer in and around the Air Force base. Services included the development of a preliminary experts report summarizing and interpreting available information as well as rebuttal reports addressing the defense experts' interpretations. Cirrus provided a deposition and expert testimony in Federal Court in Texas.

• Heavy Metals Disposal Pit: Cirrus was engaged by defense attorneys to serve as an expert witness regarding potential contaminant migration from a former gravel pit. The unpermitted site was operated by the landowners.  The gravel pit had been utilized by at least two industrial companies for the disposal of wastewater treatment sludges. Other wastes disposed at the site included metal slag from an aluminum recycling operation, construction/demolition debris and miscellaneous wastes. The contaminants of concern were metals (lead and zinc) associated with the industrial wastewater sludges and aluminum recycling operation. Cirrus wrote two reports discussing the results of initial soil, waste and groundwater sampling activities. Cirrus was also deposed by the plaintiffs' attorneys regarding (1) the results of soil and groundwater sampling and analyses performed at the waste disposal site as they pertained to potential contaminant source areas, (2) potential contaminant migration through shallow groundwater (i.e., fate and transport) and (3) general waste characteristics.

• Tire Recycling Runoff: Cirrus staff was engaged by defense attorneys to serve as expert witness regarding potential soil contamination and its subsequent remediation on property located adjacent to an automobile tire recycling facility. Offsite soil contamination had resulted from firewater runoff associated with tire fires on the tire recycling facility property. Cirrus provided project oversite for all soil sampling and analysis activities to delineate potential soil contamination resulting from the tire fires. Although no expert witness deposition was requested, the case went to trial. Cirrus was present during the trial to provide expert witness testimony, if necessary. Cirrus was never called to testify during the trial, but as a result of the field investigations and subsequent remedial activities, no damages were awarded to the plaintiffs in this case.

• TCE Contaminated Soil and Groundwater: Cirrus was engaged by defense attorneys to serve as an expert witness regarding soil and groundwater contamination resulting from a release of chlorinated solvents. The primary groundwater contaminant of concern was trichloroethylene (TCE), which is a solvent typically used as a degreaser. Other solvents were present, but not at the concentrations at which the TCE was encountered. Cirrus prepared an expert summary report providing an interpretation of potential source areas given the hydrogeologic conditions at the site. Cirrus was deposed by plaintiffs' attorneys, but was never required to testify in court. Following the deposition, the case was settled out of court.