Sewage Overflows

Sewage Flooding Expert Witness Services | Bonneau Dickson, PE

I help attorneys, insurers, and property owners figure out why a sewage system failed and who’s responsible; that’s what my sewage flooding expert witness work is all about. Sewage backups and overflows aren’t just messy. They damage property, disrupt lives, and often end up in a lawsuit where someone needs a clear, honest answer about what actually happened. That’s where I come in.

Who I Help and Why

If you’re a lawyer building a case, an insurance adjuster reviewing a claim, or a property owner trying to understand a sewage disaster, you need someone who can look past the finger-pointing and get to the real cause. I’ve spent decades designing and inspecting water and wastewater systems, plus over 25 years doing forensic and expert witness work on more than 100 cases. I know sewer networks, pump stations, and treatment systems from the inside out; not just from a textbook.

What is a Sewage Overflow Expert, Really?

A sewage overflow expert digs into the technical evidence; pipe conditions, pump records, maintenance logs, site photos; and explains why sewage ended up where it shouldn’t have. I’m not here to pick a side before I look at the facts. I follow the evidence, and I tell you what it shows, even when it’s not what you were hoping to hear.

How Does My Sewage System Overflow Expert Witness Process Work?

I keep things straightforward:

1. Review the record. I go through inspection reports, maintenance histories, complaints, and any prior repairs tied to the system.
2. Assess the site. When possible, I look at the pipes, manholes, or pump station involved to understand the physical setup.
3. Identify the cause. Was it a blockage from grease or roots? A pump failure? A capacity problem during heavy flow? I narrowed it down.
4. Explain my findings. I put together a clear report and, if needed, testify in a way that judges and juries; not just engineers; can actually follow.

Sewer Blockage Expert Witness: A Common but Tricky Case

Sewer blockages are one of the most frequent causes of backups, and they’re also one of the trickiest to prove. Roots, grease, debris, or a collapsed pipe can all cause the same symptom; flooding; but the fix and the fault look very different depending on the cause. I’ve worked cases where a City missed a required manhole inspection, letting a root blockage go unnoticed until it backed up into a home. Getting this right takes someone who’s actually traced these problems before.

Sewage Pump Station Litigation: Why It Needs a Specialist

Pump station failures bring their own headaches; electrical issues, worn equipment, poor design, or simple neglect can all lead to an overflow. In sewage pump station litigation, the details matter enormously. I’ve evaluated pump station failures across residential, commercial, and mobile home park settings, tracing the mechanical and maintenance history to pin down what really went wrong.

What Makes My Approach Different?

I bring over 40 years of hands-on engineering experience to every case, not just courtroom polish. I’ve designed, managed, and inspected the very systems I’m now asked to investigate. That combination; real design experience plus forensic training; means I understand both how a system is supposed to work and how it actually fails.

Let’s Bring Your Project to Life

If you’re dealing with a sewage overflow, pump station failure, or sewer blockage dispute, I’m ready to help you sort out the facts. Connect with me today to schedule a consultation, or call (510) 845-8625 to talk through your case!

Frequently Asked Questions