Hawkins by Oliver Pyle

www.hawkins.biz

Ask the leaders Specialist forensic investigation to the global insurance, legal and risk management professions

Hawkins, established for over thirty years, is a company providing specialist forensic investigation services to the insurance and risk management industries as well as the legal profession. The company has eight offices in the United Kingdom, employing qualified, highly skilled and experienced scientists and engineers. Hawkins is able to provide a rapid response to an instruction, attending the scene within 24 hours of the event if required. A preliminary report can be produced within three days setting out the most probable cause and a proposed strategy for further investigation. Our reporting is flexible and can be tailored to your needs depending on the scale and urgency of the investigation. When needed, a full and detailed scientific investigation can be carried out in order to formulate a clear and impartial report for the support of legal action if necessary. Our expertise covers a broad range of disciplines, including: • Explosions • Fraud • Escape of Water, Gas and Fluids • Contamination • Railways • Road Traffic Accidents • Fire • Vehicles • Personal Injury • Slips, Trips and Falls

• Product Liability • Marine • Electrical Engineering • Materials Engineering • Process Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Power and Energy • Mechanical Engineering • Structural and Civil Engineering • Highways Engineering

Telephone

+44 (0)1223 420 400

Birmingham +44 (0)121 764 5233

Bristol +44 (0)1454 273 402

Cambridge +44 (0)1223 420 400

Glasgow +44 (0)1355 228 103

www.hawkins.biz

Leeds +44 (0)113 286 0301

London +44 (0)20 7481 4897

Manchester +44 (0)1625 521 210

Reigate +44 (0)1737 224 244

24 Hr Answering Service

What we do

Hawkins Explosions What was the cause of the explosion? A preceding fire, a mechanical or process failure?

Hawkins Electrical Electricity enters almost every aspect of our lives and when things go wrong the results can be catastrophic. Whether the loss concerns the failure of a complex supply system, an electrocution or a damaging fluctuation of voltage, Hawkins is in a position to help. Hawkins has decades of experience in isolating the underlying cause and effects of power failures, over-voltage, equipment failure or poor design in power distribution.

Hawkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; expertise has been sought on many significant cases across the globe.

Hawkins Fraud Fraud is more common than at any time in the past, particularly in the insurance sector. Hawkins is experienced in the examination of physical evidence to determine whether or not a claim is fraudulent.

Hawkins Escape of Water, Gas and Fluids Leaks of substances from pipes or containers can cause endless problems. Hawkins is experienced in tracing the cause whether a bad connection, poor design or excessive pressure.

Hawkins Engineering On many occasions, an incident involves the malfunction or poor quality of vital components, operational negligence or the absence of routine inspections. Hawkins’ highly skilled engineers have dealt with engineering claims arising from a multitude of causes in the UK and globally for over thirty years.

Electrical With electrical systems becoming ever more complicated, identifying the cause of problems has never been harder. Electrical engineering is one of Hawkins’ most developed areas of expertise with qualified scientists in every office.

Highways Many road traffic accidents occur as a result of the condition, design or layout of the highway or signage. Hawkins has a specialist group covering this field.

Materials Materials’ failures can have sudden, catastrophic and very expensive consequences. Our scientists are experienced in assessment of all kinds of failure.

Processes The complexity of industrial processes has never been greater and with systems and plant evolving over time those people most closely involved are often blind to the far reaching consequences of change. Hawkins’ process engineers will take a fresh, holistic view of the entire process and with our wide range of expertise and experience are in an ideal position to help you identify the underlying cause of a problem and to advise on liability and the changes necessary to prevent a reoccurrence.

Chemical The source of chemical damage is often difficult to determine. Hawkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team of forensic scientists and engineers have the expertise to determine the cause of any problem.

Mechanical Engineering losses range from mechanical breakdown to product liability and from structural failures to electrical malfunctions. Hawkins has teams available 24 hours a day.

Energy Energy losses range from nuclear reactors, refineries and hydroelectric losses through to failures in the latest generators of renewable energy. Hawkins has the wide range of engineering expertise necessary to cover all eventualities.

Structural and Civil Structural failures include collapses of large buildings and problems caused by ground-borne vibration through to infrastructure projects and design and build of major highways Hawkins is expert in this specialised area with many years experience.

Hawkins Contamination Cleaning up after an incident can often be a significant part of a loss. Hawkins has remarkable expertise and experience in advising on the correct way to clean up after a fire, flood or chemical spillage. We will also advise on whether or not equipment can be saved and arbitrate on the point with manufacturers and policyholders. We can also advise on the identification and eradication of mould.

Hawkins Road Traffic Accidents

Hawkins Railways After-event detection of cause following a railway disaster is vital in the determination of liability. In recent years, Hawkins has conducted several ground-breaking investigations into the cause of rail accidents. We have established a reputation for expert, thorough and independent scrutiny of the evidence left behind after an incident on the railways. Our experts have been complimented by public enquiries.

Road traffic accidents are often traumatic incidents and litigation arising as a result is becoming more common as court awards increase. Hawkins has the largest group of RTA investigators in the UK with experience going back over 30 years. Our investigators can carry out a full reconstruction and analysis, allowing you to determine liability.

Hawkins Fire Where did it start? What caused it? Why no alarm? Was it arson? Hawkins established its initial reputation in fire investigation and is now a global leader in the field, tackling investigations of all sizes and complexity around the world. We are experienced not only in establishing the cause but also in advising on liability and risk management issues.

Hawkins Vehicles Vehicles occupy a central place in our lives both at work and play and when things go wrong, the effects can be far reaching and expensive. At Hawkins we have the expertise and experience to help you determine why your vehicle has failed and what measures might solve the problem.

Hawkins Personal Injury Safety has never been more important whether in the workplace, at home or when travelling. Both litigation and the documentation of Safe Systems of Work are becoming ever more complicated. Hawkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experts should form an integral part of your team, to investigate the cause of an injury and ensure that it cannot happen again. With the Courts taking ever harder views on personal injuries it has never been more important to be seen to be taking independent and expert advice.

Hawkins Slips, Trips and Falls These are the single most common causes of major injuries at work. Hawkins has the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading experts on this specialised and complex area of personal injury investigation

Hawkins Marine From cargo spoilage, contamination and dangerous content to mechanical failure and engine fires.

Hawkins Product Liability However good the design of a product, there is always the possibility of failure. This may be as a result of misuse or the lack of failsafe measures. Hawkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; people are experts in the field of product liability and often deal directly with the Trading Standards Authority.

Hawkins has a team of experts capable of rapid response, rapid feedback and detailed, rapid reporting.

8 offices throughout the UK

Glasgow

Leeds Manchester Birmingham Cambridge London Bristol Reigate

We have eight offices throughout the UK, each with an experienced team of forensic scientists. Hawkins is able to operate in virtually any part of the world with each office having easy access to a major international airport.