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Ron E. Wright, P.E., chief operating officer, and Mark Harris Berman, AIA, principal, both testified on behalf of The Camelot, a 21-story luxury condominium in Hackensack, N.J.
The Camelot sued their contractors and engineers for construction deficiencies and design defects, and also named Dryvit Systems Inc. for violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. The jury found that Dryvit made knowing omissions and affirmative misrepresentations on material fact in connection with the repair of the building’s exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS).
Wright and Berman provided expert testimony about how the finish coating on the building’s exterior softened when penetrated substantially by water, and that the softening caused cohesive failures at critical caulk joints, which allowed more water to cause catastrophic damage to the building’s framing and sheathing. Their testimony also included the standard of care required of contractors and design professionals.
With settlements from other defendants before and during trial, the total amount recovered for The Camelot totaled $5,046,000
“This was the first time in New Jersey that a jury held an EIFS manufacturer accountable under the state’s Consumer Fraud Act,” Wright said. “Buric is honored to have played a key role in this landmark case.”
As head of the Buric’s Building Diagnostic Services division, Wright is one of the country’s leading experts on building diagnostic issues, including understanding sources of water intrusion, evaluating design and construction deficiencies, and defining and managing corrective efforts. Wright’s work has been featured on “The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather” and he has testified as an expert witness in more than 100 litigation cases.
An industry veteran of 28 years, Wright holds a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. A registered professional engineer in six states, Wright is a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials, the International Code Council, the American Society of Civil Engineers and Professional Engineers of North Carolina.
Berman is a registered architect in six states and a licensed professional planner in New Jersey. He provides architectural services for commercial, institutional, educational and residential projects, and professional planning services for land-use design, planning board and zoning board of appeals applications.
Berman’s professional experience includes residential, commercial and institutional architecture, planning, interiors, building diagnostics, new construction and building rehabilitation.
An industry veteran of 32 years, he also has provided forensic-code and technical analysis, investigations, reports and expert testimony in a wide range of cases, including site and facility planning, building safety and construction deficiencies.
Established in 1968, Buric supports the world’s diverse construction industry by providing construction planning and critical path method scheduling; construction claims resolution, including forensic investigation, demonstrative graphics and expert witness capability; surety contract management; building diagnostics and rehabilitation; project management and control; and architectural and engineering services.
Even more importantly, it is the manner in which Buric provides these services that sets the firm apart. Buric employees are extremely knowledgeable and accomplished industry experts – the very best in their fields – who take pride in providing accurate, thorough and responsive service while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. It explains why most of Buric’s business comes from long-standing repeat clients and referred business.
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