Omnia Forensis Ingenariae 
"All Things Forensic Engineering"
News and Views for the Forensic Engineer
and Their Legal/Insurance Clients

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO - Editor

mutual@bellsouth.net

August 2026


Editor's Thoughts

Is Sunlight from Your Neighbor

Going to Destroy You?!!!


I'm not kidding. This is a real thing. Building houses close together is nothing new. However, many new, close built houses are now constructed with vinyl siding. Since vinyl is thin, weak and easily melted, sunlight focused from your neighbor's window will melt and sometimes ignite vinyl siding. My friend, and colleague with the National Academy of Forensic Engineers Curt Freedman PE has been investigating numerous claims involving "spontaneously" igniting vinyl siding. Mr. Freedman has published a paper on this in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE.org). Mr. Freedman's work is highlighted in this Insurance Business article. Click Here

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Again, thank you. If you have suggestions for OFI, please email me any time. 


Sincerely,


Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO

LinkedIn Profile

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In the News! In the News!


Michigan Becoming Trench Collapse Central

In the span of one week, three trench collapses occurred in the state of Michigan. Two were injured. One died.


Injuries and deaths occur from trench collapses because someone in management decided not to train their employees or decided that trench collapse safety equipment was too expensive for the job. Besides, "they're only going to be down there for less than an hour." Click Here


How Florida Courts are Handling Lying Plaintiffs

An interesting article on how the appellate courts in Florida are going to handle lying plaintiffs. Click Here


$1.5M Suit Because of Spilled Mashed Potatoes

Outback Steakhouse is being sued because of a slip and fall occurrence. Allegedly, a patron slipped when they stepped onto spilled mashed potatoes on the floor.

Click Here


Exterior Wood Deck Collapses During Family Photo

A grieving family rents a single-family home through Airbnb so they could be together for the burial of a family member. While gathering on an exterior wood deck for a family photograph, the deck floor fails at the house and falls to the ground. Many family members are injured. The photos I could find show a stupidly built and irresponsibly maintained deck. Click Here


Exterior Wood Deck Collapse Injures First Responders

While serving a criminal warrant, several US Marshalls and other first responders fell to the ground when an exterior wood deck collapsed at the subject property. Click Here


Expert Referrals

Expert referral companies have their place. However, the added referral fee on top of the expert's hourly rate can make using these experts prohibitive. Let me help you. I know hundreds of Board Certified Forensic Engineers from all disciplines. Please allow me to refer you to one of these vetted, court tested experts for your next insurance claim or legal matter. There is no charge to you! I do not receive a fee from anyone. This is my way of helping you and my Forensic Engineering colleagues. Please email me or call 404.395.7441. 


Note: No warranties, expressed or implied, are made to the suitability of any expert referred to you. Do your homework to make sure you have the right expert.

...about the Editor

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO is President and Forensic Engineer for Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI. Because of 30+ years of continuous civil/structural design services, and his early and continued exposure to his friends and families many construction businesses, Mr. Rice is uniquely qualified to provide Civil/Structural Forensic Engineering services to the insurance, legal, and construction industries. Services include building design and construction, roadway design and construction, building inspection and code compliance, building/foundation collapse, construction site incidents, slip and fall investigations, and other property loss subjects. Mr. Rice is an ICC Building Code Official, a licensed professional engineer in many states, and a Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). Mr. Rice has written a novel and numerous technical articles published in professional journals for NAFE, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), and the Georgia Defense Lawyer Association (GDLA). Please call/email Mr. Rice:


Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO

Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI

13009 Panhandle Road

Hampton, GA 30228

(Phone): 404.395.7441


Email: mutual@bellsouth.net 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardaricepe/



Click Here for the CV of Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO



Happy National Dog Day!!!