Expert Services

IDA Heavy Equipment Expert Services

Expert Witness & Consulting Services by Qualified Heavy Equipment Appraisers

At IDA, our qualified heavy equipment expert witnesses can offer expert witness services and opinions for cases or claims involving matters relating to heavy and industrial equipment damage, loss or failure, loss or incident cause and origin as well as related safety, operational or environmental investigation and remediation.

Heavy & Construction Equipment

Industrial Machinery & Equipment

Crane Equipment & Accidents

Rigging Failure

Heavy Equipment Component Failure

Oil Field Equipment & Operations

Mining Equipment Design

Conveyor Design, Fabrication & Installation

Concrete Batch or Recycle Plant Operations

Material Handling

Aggregate & Concrete Material Handling

Marine Loss, Watercraft, Vessels & Equipment

Key Services

  • Expert Witness Testimony, including Depositions
  • Claims / Case Review & Evaluation
  • Expert Consultations & Opinions
  • Accident Investigation or Reconstruction
  • Equipment Inspection & Analysis
  • Safety & Compliance Analysis
  • Damage Assessment & Repair Analysis
  • Detailed Report Preparation

IDA Expert Specialties

  • Cause & Origin
  • Mechanical Failure
  • Weld Failure
  • Industrial Damage & Loss
  • Hazmat Spill
  • Recovery & Remediation (cleanup)
  • Environmental Loss
  • Site Investigation
  • Equipment Defects

IDA Expert Witnesses

Qualifications, Training & Areas of Expertise

Ted Aufort, COO, MDS, ACA

Ted has over 44 years of multi-line experience in various segments of the insurance industry. Ted's background includes a depth of expertise and breadth of experience as a multi-line adjuster, auditor, trainer, field manager, DRP manager, heavy equipment appraiser, business owner, and managing partner.

Ted's areas of expertise encompass causation, damage, and loss evaluations in both personal and commercial lines including auto, truck, RV, heavy equipment, marine, oil field, industrial, hazmat spills, recovery & remediation and environmental. He specializes in cause & origin, mechanical failure, weld failure, loss site investigation, as well as truck and heavy equipment damage, loss, and valuation.

Ted's background includes past training and certifications with many areas of expertise. As a multi-disciplined appraiser and expert, he has conducted expert consultation and file review and provided expert opinions. As an expert witness, he has been involved in litigation including trials, depositions, arbitrations, claims settlements and subrogation negotiations.

Charles (Chuck) Scarrott, ISA-AM

With over 53 years of experience in the construction industry, Chuck is qualified to provide expert opinions and testimony in matters involving heavy equipment, crane equipment and related operations, appraisal, and accident investigation. Currently (or was previously) certified for crane inspection and certification in 3 states,

Chuck has a multi-disciplined background including a broad range of heavy and industrial equipment experience. Serving as a Corporate Safety Director for several years, Chuck is well-versed in OSHA and Cal/OSHA Safety Regulations and procedures, including state and federal appeals processes.

Chuck is an Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA-AM). Additionally, Chuck is qualified in marine loss and evaluation, cause and origin of heavy equipment accidents and component failure. Other qualifications include aggregate and concrete production, mining equipment design, conveyor design and installation, material handling as well as batch and recycle plant operations.