Consumer product manufacturers and their attorneys frequently manage claims and lawsuits pending in multiple jurisdictions involving significant property damage due to fire. Such matters often require the retention of an expert to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. A scene inspection will typically take place almost immediately after the fire occurs, to put all interested parties on notice and allow them to collect data that will aid in the determination of the origin and cause of the fire.

If you or your client receive a notice of a scene inspection and choose to attend, it is important to consider the jurisdiction’s licensing requirements for privately retained fire investigators. While this simple step could be easily overlooked, particularly since you or your client will likely retain a certified fire investigator or certified fire and explosion investigator, seemingly benign state or local licensing requirements could have disastrous consequences should the matter proceed to trial.

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