Collapse of Victorian house during refurbishment works

London, United Kingdom

A late‑Victorian semi‑detached house undergoing basement extension and refurbishment collapsed during construction, triggering an insurance‑led investigation into causation and the responsibilities of the parties involved.​

I was engaged to determine the mechanism and cause of collapse, and assess whether the design and construction site practices met the applicable standard of skill and care. This work included a forensic examination of available site records up to the time of collapse and an assessment of the construction sequence and temporary works.

The findings of this investigation were reported to the insurers and solicitors acting for the developer, to assist them in navigating through coverage, liability and litigation strategy issues.