Haag Canada launches construction claims practice
Haag Canada, a forensic engineering and technical consulting firm, has launched a construction claims consulting practice.
Covid-19 has obviously had variable impacts on different industries in Canada. While the travel and hospitality and restaurant industries have been largely destroyed, most companies in surging industries such as software and construction have actually boosted their profit margins in 2020, according to a recent report from Simon-Kucher & Partners.
With construction business booming, disputes consultants specializing in the construction industry have seen continued demand for their services. The added difficulties of pandemic-related delays and disruptions have further boosted demand for construction claims consultants.
This has enticed larger firms to make acquisitions in the space. FTI Consulting earlier this year acquired The Rhodes Group, a Pittsburgh-based firm specializing in construction claims consulting, while Duff & Phelps (now Kroll) in December bought construction disputes consultancy Blackrock Expert Services.
Now Haag Canada will launch its own construction claims practice, combining forensic subject matter experts with traditional construction claims experts. The firm specializes in advising owners, developers, contractors, insurance companies, and law firms on large, complex loss.
“The launch of our Construction Claims group marks another decisive forward step in providing a growing selection of forensic engineering services that are currently in high demand in Canada,” Chris Giffin, CEO of Haag Canada, said. “I’m excited to bring construction claims and forensic engineering together to create a mold-breaking service offering that stands to benefit the Canadian construction industry.”
The Toronto-based consulting firm, which is a subsidiary of Texas-based Haag Global, has hired Derek Sayers to lead the new practice. Sayers brings more than 30 years of experience in construction claims, serving as a quantum expert, project contracts manager, corporate claims manager, and commercial specialist. He joins Haag from Driver Trett, a construction sector disputes and advisory firm, where he was deputy country manager for Canada.
Haag Canada also announced the addition of Alan Rustom as a senior construction claims engineer and Jonathan McNatty as a senior construction claims (delay) expert.
“The formation of this exceptional team of experts will allow Haag Canada to provide evolved Construction Claims services to Canadian insurance and legal communities,” Sayers said. “We look forward to helping our clients become more aware of how best to manage claims and support them through the steps required to reach a successful and equitable resolution.”
Headquartered in Flower Mound, Texas, Haag Global has more than 100 employees across over a dozen US offices.
