Meagher + Geer's CatLoss Practice Group

10/13/2022

National Fire Prevention Week is here. Did you know that fire deaths have increased 30% in the last 10 years? Per Dr. Steve Kerber and our friends at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s ("UL") Fire Safety Research Institute ("FSRI"), one step in reversing this trend is to appreciate how fast fire is and create a realistic escape plan for your situation. Click on the video link below and watch Dr. Kerber show how a home fire grows and spreads, underscore the dangers of smoke, and encourage everyone to have and practice a fire escape plan - including what to do if they cannot escape. Let’s plan ahead to save lives.

Watch for a preview of a new video series that focuses on the dangers of smoke and just how little time you may have to escape a home fire. In this series, U...

12/29/2021

Open for business January 1, 2022. Come see us in The Lone Star State.

We are proud to announce that on January 1, 2022, we are opening a new office location in Dallas, Texas! Read our announcement-> https://tinyurl.com/2p8at2tp

10/15/2021

Meagher + Geer, PLLP’s Catastrophic Loss Practice is committed to the on-going education of insurance and investigation personnel in the fire and explosion industry. Last week, at the ATF’s and International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.’s week-long course, Complex Fire Investigation for the Insurance Industry, attorneys Chad Stepan and David Bridges presented the 2021 Russ Melton Memorial Scholarship to Stan Fernandez. The Course was attended by insurance representatives, fire investigators, and other fire and explosion industry personnel from around the world. Chad and David joined experts from the ATF and specialists from the insurance industry and the IAAI to provide hands-on training regarding, among other things, the latest investigative techniques and the convergence of science and law. The Scholarship honors former Meagher + Geer partner, Russell Melton’s, powerful legacy of combining science and law in the continued search for the truth in fire and explosion matters. Congratulations to Stan and best wishes on his continued success! For more information on the Scholarship, or the Course, visit www.iaaitraining.com.

08/07/2021

Last week, Meagher + Geer, PLLP attorneys Chad Stepan and David Bridges served as adjunct instructors for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ (ATF) Advanced Origin and Cause/Courtroom Testimony Course at the National Center For Explosives Training & Research (NCETR) in Huntsville, Alabama. This course was attended by ATF certified fire investigator (CFI) candidates, forensic engineers, and state and local public sector experts from around the United States. They lectured on advanced origin and cause determination and courtroom testimony techniques and conduct moot court trials with a focus on Daubert and expert testimony. Thanks to our friends at the ATF for the invitation to participate in this important training opportunity!

05/30/2021

Memorial Day is here, and we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in service to the United States military. This year, Memorial Day brings with it the possibility of travel. Each year, did you know there is an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires that cause 15 deaths, 100 injuries, and in excess of $100 million in property losses? Cooking is the leading cause of hotel and motel fires. Per our friends at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Fire Administration, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), remember, if your plans include a stay in a hotel or motel, check to see if they meet fire safety standards. Stay in hotels or motels that have hard-wired smoke alarms and an automatic fire sprinkler system in each guest room. Read the fire evacuation plan carefully. Find the two closest exits from your room. Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. This will help you if you need to evacuate in the dark. Finally, find the fire alarms on your floor. If your plans include travel this Memorial Day, please think about fire safety, too.

03/06/2020

Spring into action this weekend and test your smoke alarms! While you’re at it, check the manufactured date on the back of the alarm. Per our friends at the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Fire Administration, if its older than March 2010, you need to replace it. Smoke alarms need replaced after 10 years.

11/10/2019

Meagher & Geer, PLLP’s Cat Loss Practice Group is committed to the on-going education of insurance and investigation personnel in the fire and explosion industry. A couple of weeks back, at the ATF’s and International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.’s (IAAI) week-long course, Complex Fire Investigation for the Insurance Industry, attorneys Chad Stepan and David Bridges presented the 2019 Russ Melton Memorial Scholarship to Sally Dalton. The Course was attended by insurance representatives, fire investigators, and other fire and explosion industry personnel from around the world. Chad and David joined experts from the ATF and specialists from the insurance industry and the IAAI to provide hands-on training regarding, among other things, the latest investigative techniques and the convergence of science and law. The Scholarship honors former Meagher & Geer, P.L.L.P. partner Russ Melton’s powerful legacy of combining science and law in the continued search for the truth in fire and explosion matters. Congratulations to Sally Dalton and best wishes on her continued success! For more information on the Russ Melton Memorial Scholarship, or the Complex Fire Investigation for the Insurance Industry Course, visit www.fireinsuranceschool.com.

11/09/2019

Yesterday, the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.’s (IAAI) Board of Directors wrapped-up the IAAI’s 2019 Mid-Year Business Meeting at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City. New Jersey. Attorney David Bridges worked alongside other subject matter experts and industry professionals from all around the world to push the IAAI’s work forward for its frontline Chapters, their members, and the fire- and explosion-investigation and litigation industries. The IAAI is the largest international professional association of fire investigators, with members from the field of fire safety/prevention, arson enforcement/prosecution, and fire claims/litigation. To learn more about the IAAI, take a spin by www.firearson.com.

11/07/2019

**Catastrophic Loss Presentation Series**: Today, we had the pleasure to participate in the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators’ (FL-IAAI) 2019 Annual Training Conference at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida. All week, the FL-IAAI has been hard at work providing hands-on and classroom instruction on the latest fire and explosion trends and investigative techniques. Attorney David Bridges presented “Challenges to Expert Qualifications, Methodology, & Opinions” to a packed house of industry professionals and subject matter experts from the public and private sectors, including law enforcement and fire service investigators, insurance claims professionals, adjusters, SIU personnel, and property and liability team members. Thanks to our dear friends at the FL-IAAI for their invitation to participate in this important training opportunity. We had a great time!

11/02/2019

This week, we were honored to partner with International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. (IAAI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) to instruct in the IAAI-Expert Witness/Courtroom Testimony Course of Instruction at the ATF's National Center For Explosives Training & Research (NCETR) in Huntsville, Alabama. During the class, Attorneys Chad Stepan and David Bridges took candidates through mock direct and cross examinations. Thanks to our friends at the IAAI and ATF for their invitation to participate in this important training opportunity. We had a wonderful time!

10/31/2019

Happy Halloween! Halloween is a fun and exciting time of year for all ages, but it’s also an important time to practice fire safety. Per our friends at FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration, remember, if you purchase a costume, please make sure the packaging or label says “flame resistant.” Also, don’t use candles for decorations. They’re dangerous, especially when left unattended for any length of time. Consider using flashlights or battery-powered candles as a substitute for decorations. Finally, keep all Halloween decorations away from open flames, light bulbs, and heaters. Let’s make this Halloween a safe and enjoyable one!