Electrical Incident Investigations in California
When insurance companies need thorough and reliable investigations into electrical incidents in California, they turn to our team of experts. Our specialized electrical investigative services are designed to provide insurance professionals with the critical information they need to assess claims related to electrical incidents.
At Garrett Forensics, forensic electrical engineers handle a wide variety of cases that involve failure, safety, compliance, and legal implications of electrical systems. Some of the primary case types include:
1. Electrical Fires & Arson Investigations
• Determining origin/cause of fires potentially initiated by electrical systems—such as wiring faults, short-circuits, overloads, faults in distribution panels, or defective appliances. Use of NFPA 921 and NEC code evaluations.
• Investigation spans residential, commercial, industrial, and data-center fires involving components like wiring harnesses, grounding systems, server racks, etc.
2. Product Liability Cases
• Forensic analysis of electric or electronic products (consumer devices, power tools, appliances, battery systems, IoT equipment, medical devices).
• Services include teardown inspections, circuit/schematic review, lab testing, compliance audits (UL, IEC, IEEE standards), and root‐cause failure analysis.
3. Automotive Electrical Failures (Including EVs and Charging Infrastructure)
• Investigation of failures in vehicle electrical systems, including component malfunctions, wiring faults, and fire events.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Analysis of battery management systems, high-voltage wiring, inverters, and thermal runaway events.
• Batteries: Examination of lithium-ion battery fires, charging/discharging irregularities, overcurrent protection failure, and cell/module manufacturing defects.
• Charging Stations: Assessment of Level 1/2/DC fast chargers for electrical faults, miswiring, software malfunction, grounding issues, or code violations.
• Common issues include short circuits, connector overheating, grounding failures, and EVSE-to-grid compatibility.
• Often involves coordination with standards such as SAE J1772, NFPA 70E, NEC, and UL certifications.
4. Electrical Contracting & Construction Related Defects
• Investigation of improper installation, code violations, miswiring, unsafe practices, and defective grounding in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
• Electrical Panels: Evaluation of load centers, breaker panels, and distribution boards for issues such as overloading, arcing, loose connections, improper breaker sizing, and panelboard code violations.
• Common problems include outdated or recalled panels, poor workmanship, or inadequate surge protection.
• Reviews often involve NEC compliance, OSHA regulations, and expert support in disputes involving contractors, inspectors, or property owners.
5. Machinery & Industrial Equipment Failures
• Analysis of electrical failures in industrial machinery, manufacturing lines, and specialized equipment.
• Common investigations include motor/control failures, wiring harness issues, and power distribution errors.
6. Utility Scale and Grid Infrastructure Issues
• Analysis of failures in electric utility systems—power distribution networks, transformers, substations, and transmission equipment contributing to outages, fires, or accidents.
7. Electrocution & Safety Incidents
• Investigation of incidents involving electric shock, including workplace electrocution, public safety hazards, and compliance with OSHA/electrical safety codes.
8. Expert Witness & Litigation Support
Across all these categories, forensic electrical engineers at Garrett support litigation by:
• On site inspections, evidence collection
• Compliance reviews (NEC, UL, IEC, NFPA)
• Root cause failure analysis (RCFA), FMEA
• Technical reporting and courtroom/Deposition testimony.
Don’t let uncertainty and ambiguity hinder your insurance claims process. Partner with us for expert investigations that add value, enhance decision-making, and drive favorable outcomes. Contact us today to learn more about how our electrical investigations can support your insurance operations.