Fire investigations have been going on for centuries and we all recall historical references from Nero's burning of Rome to Mrs. O'Leary's cow.  Over those years the art and craft of the fire investigator developed many techniques and applications.

Over the years the legal responsibility for product defects and the damage they can cause has shifted from a buyer beware attitude to an environment of numerous lawsuits and claims against manufacturers.

The urban legend…
Recall the famous lawsuit that brought a windfall of millions to the individual who lifted up his Craftsman lawnmower by the edges to trim a hedge and suffered serious bodily injury. It was a clear case of greedy lawyers, a muddle headed judge, and a bleeding heart jury. The case has become a cornerstone of movements to upend tort law. The one weakness in all this is that there was no multi-million dollar award or even one for one dollar because the case never happened. This modern fable or urban legend cannot be found in any court or insurance record, but it will doubtlessly be circulated for eons.

Help me!  I've fallen, and I can't get up!

Ah, we've all heard this line before, and it can result in injury, pain, insurance claims, and even lawsuits.

Slips, trips, and falls are real events that occur frequently and for a host of reasons, ranging from snow and ice, faulty railings, flooring issues, design flaws, carelessness, or even reckless behavior.

A relatively small leak in a mechanical system can cause tremendous damage when not discovered quickly. Claims of this nature seem to go hand in hand with a second or vacation home, homes under construction (builders risk) or when the insured is away for an extended period. During a mechanical failure, water flowing at a rate of 8 to 16 ounces per minute can result in a discharge of 90 to 180 gallons per day, or over 1,000 gallons a week.