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Why David A. Henderson became an Expert Witness pertaining environmental issues associated with cleaning and restoration disputes, and how limitations, complexities, complications and conflicts are related to water damage, mold damage, and fire & smoke damage disputes.

David first courtroom testimony experience was a carpet cleaning dispute, where the complication of cleaning the carpet did not meet the industry standard. Then during the cleaning process of the carpet, the complexity was that the carpet was not labeled the right fiber make, then when David realized that the carpet was not cleaning as it should according to industry standard. So, he performed a float test and then determined from the result of the test that the carpet was a blend. This case the presiding Judge asked to describe a float test to the court.

Then there was a water damage event on a home, during the removal of damaged materials from the home, DAVHENCO Inc (David's Contracting Business at the time) found that there were construction defects in the house, even though some damage was covered on the homeowner's insurance. In this situation the complexities were that water was coming through the exterior wall to the bedroom on the main floor, the floor to this bedroom after it had been removed, then the insulation was pulled back, it was found that the wall (exterior) was three feet out from the basement wall leaving the floor exposed to the outside elements. Then the complication to this situation is when David used an ultra-violent light on ceiling of the master bedroom located on the top floor, it revealed that the ceiling had suffered secondary damage. At that time the insurance adjuster made the decision to have the ceiling removed, and he asked David to check the house for anymore complications that could have an adverse effect on the house. These complexities and complications resulted into a conflict that resulted into litigation. David's report explained the category and class of water damage, it described the secondary damage that develop from this water damage. This report was presented in the court proceedings and was used as the determination of the outcome.  

While recovering from knee surgery, David was asked to look at pictures of a mold remediation project, David asked questions pertaining to this project. As he received the answers from his questions, he found the project was inconsistent with the ANSI/IICRC S520-2024 "Standard for Professional Mold Remediation" such as there was no containments erected, workers were not wearing personal protective equipment, and removing damaged materials then replace with new materials, which was cross contamination of the new materials. These complexities lead to complications for all parties involved, whereas the project was never finished.   

The same time David was recovering from his knee surgery an Attorney representing a family over a water damage home, which develop secondary damage the Attorney talked with David on the phone, David pointed to the lab findings that the house had water damage indicators and mycotoxin indicators, along with slightly elevated spores. The complexities for this project was the fact that the drying system was inconsistent with the ANSI/IICRC S500-2021 "Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration", there were no containment erected on the project, then the project got complicated by both parties, by one side limiting the other side during the construction phase, and the conflict here between both parties have led today into litigation.     

Then there was a home that was damaged by hurricane Helene and David was called to look at the damage and was able to determine the house suffered a Category 3 water damaged. The homeowner hired a restoration company to perform the restoration services, what develop was the complexities of this home whereas the work was inconsistent with the ANSI/IICRC S500-2021"Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration" and inconsistent with the ANSI/IICRC S520-2024 "Standard for Professional Mold Remediation", such as no drying equipment put in place to dry the structure, no containments erected, negative air machines were not duct to the outside, and areas were not cleaned to standards. Then the complications where a hardwood floor was removed without a structural engineer could inspect for building integrity, there was hidden moisture between the hardwood floor and subflooring (flooring that wasn't removed), the relative humidity stated above 70%, (these are the reason for not having the drying equipment put in place), and the personal contents were placed in shipping containers for storage (these containers were not climate control), with all these conditions became a conflict between the parties and now has become a litigation situation.   

Then an Environmental Inspector forward David an email, a law firm in Tennessee wanted the Environmental Inspector to help with a mold dispute. The Inspector called David to get his permission to forward David's name to the law firm. This happened the week that David's wife entered the hospital, at which time David put his whole business on hold for the time being. David's wife asked him was he going to continue to perform inspections on the day they transferred her to hospice, and David told his wife that he going to provide expert witness work.

There are always limitations, complexities, complications and conflicts on projects that lead to litigation procedures, some of these events are the reality in the cleaning and restoration industry.

Since David's wife passing, he is dedicating this service in his wife's memory, since she had a history of working at the local newspaper helping people with their billings as the office manager.

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David brings over 40 years of field experience in the cleaning and restoration industry, well as his background in drafting and design to his expert witness practice. David integrated his experience and background to perform moisture mapping, wall elevation drawings to determine the level of damage to the wall, and to determined that the procedures pertaining to water damage, mold contamination and fire & smoke damage disputes are consistent or inconsistent with the standards.

All his reports and opinions are based on the following standards:

• ANSI/IICRC S500-2021 "Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration

• ANSI/IICRC S520-2024 "Standard for Professional Mold Remediation"

• ANSI/IICRC S700-2025 "Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration" 

 

Today David has retired from field work and does not provide services for the general public. He only provides services to attorneys-only.    

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David is one of less than 900 IICRC Triple Masters worldwide, these certifications are the top-level certifications in the industry. 

David is a:

• IICRC Triple Master (Water Damage Restorer, Master Textile Cleaner, Master Fire & Smoke Restorer)

• NAMRI - Mold Inspector (Residential & Commercial)

•  NAIS - Infrared Moisture Surveyor

• Background Drafting & Design (Draftsman)

• U.S. Army Veteran    ​

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