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An analysis of staining mechanisms, material interaction, and restoration implications By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Protective tapes are commonly used during construction to mask adjacent surfaces and prevent damage. While these materials perform effectively on painted or sealed substrates, adhesive migration from protective tapes on natural stone…
An analysis of credibility, independence, and long-term reliability in forensic testimony By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Integrity in expert witness work is not evaluated in theory. It is assessed through the consistency of analysis, the accuracy of reporting, and the independence of conclusions under scrutiny. In construction…
An analysis of early involvement, disclosure, and evidentiary exposure By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Pre-litigation consultations are a common entry point for expert engagement. Initial contact may occur through informal consultation, site inspection, or general inquiry regarding observed conditions. At that stage, the matter may not yet…
An analysis of authorship, revision control, and evidentiary reliability By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) In expert witness work, report preparation often includes review by counsel or other retaining parties. This process may involve comments, suggested edits, or requests for clarification. While such review is common, the manner…
An analysis of credibility, consistency, and evidentiary discipline under oath By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Testimony is the stage at which prior analysis is examined in full. Observations, documentation, assumptions, and conclusions are all subjects to review under oath. In this setting, the expert’s credibility is evaluated…
An analysis of independence, disclosure, and credibility in forensic engagement By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Conflict of interest in expert witness work is rarely abrupt. It typically develops from prior involvement that predates formal litigation. Initial contact may occur through informal consultation, site visits, or preliminary discussions,…
An analysis of objectivity, bias, and credibility in forensic testimony By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) An expert’s primary obligation is not to the retaining party, but to accuracy, transparency, and the integrity of the construction defect evaluation process. In construction defect litigation, reports, inspections, and testimony form…
An analysis of how field-testing conditions affect reliability, interpretation, and evidentiary weight By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Field testing is often relied upon to evaluate material performance under actual site conditions. In forensic investigations, these results may be used to support conclusions regarding installation quality, material suitability,…
An examination of how testing practices affect reliability, interpretation, and evidentiary value By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Tile and stone laboratory test reports are often treated as objective and definitive. In practice, the testing process may be influenced by sampling methods, specimen preparation, reporting practices, and selective…
By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) EJ171 is one of the most frequently cited standards in tile and stone failure claims. It is also one of the least realistically implemented in the field. Originally adapted from movement principles used in the concrete industry, EJ171 was introduced into the…