What prior retentions appear on the CV?

Aguilar v. Creative Carpets, a Cook County slip and fall matter; Scott v. Hartz; Englehaupt v. A.B. Edward; and Talley v. Thunder Basin. These are listed as factual engagements, no outcome is characterised, and the full history is available for Rule 26 disclosure.

How does Illinois treat experience-based testimony?

Illinois applies Frye as construed in Donaldson v. Central Illinois Public Service Co., under which the judge is a gatekeeper for new or novel scientific methodology rather than for all expert opinion. Established inspection and standards comparison generally raises no Frye question.

How is the federal standard approached?

Under Daubert and Rule 702 the court examines relevance and reliability more broadly. Experience-based testimony is admissible where the expert explains how the experience leads to each opinion, which means tying every opinion to the licence, the facilities record and a recognised standard.

Are arbitration and mediation covered as well as trial?

Yes. Records review, forensic inspection, written and rebuttal reports, deposition, arbitration and trial testimony can each be commissioned individually. Counsel preparing for mediation often want a records review and a short written summary rather than a full report.

What is the usual turnaround for an initial view?

A conflict check is immediate and an initial view on scope and fit generally follows within a few days of receiving the incident report and photographs. Where a disclosure deadline is close, the sequence can be compressed and the priority order agreed.

Testimony & Case Experience | Paul Gaston Chicago

Testimony & Case Experience

Retained For Analysis And Testimony

Paul Gaston has provided expert consulting, analysis and testimony in dozens of matters involving premises liability, construction safety, maintenance standards and building-code compliance, including deposition, arbitration and trial testimony, for both plaintiff and defense.

“An opinion is only as strong as the record behind it. I document what the surface was, what the code and the manufacturer required, and what the owner’s logs show they did about it. Evidence Before Opinion.”

EXPERT WITNESS

Paul Gaston

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How Opinions Are Built

Deliverables, Method And Admissibility

Each opinion states the records reviewed and the inspection performed, so counsel can see exactly what it rests on.

Illinois state courts apply the Frye standard as adopted in Donaldson under Illinois Rule of Evidence 702; federal courts apply Daubert. Paul's opinions are experience-based and rely on established, non-novel methods, tied to ASTM F1637, the applicable building code, ADA requirements and the manufacturer's installation and maintenance instructions.

The full testimony history and a current fee schedule are available in the curriculum vitae upon request for Rule 26 disclosure.

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Guided by Proven Methods

What This Engagement Is And What It Is Not

What We Are

What We Are Not

Documented Evaluation

The as-found condition is recorded on site with photographs, dimensional measurement and moisture readings before any opinion is formed.

Stated Scope Limits

Scope limits are set out on the face of the report rather than left to emerge under cross-examination.

Standards-Based Analysis

Every finding is tied to ASTM F1637, the building code, ADA requirements or the manufacturer's instructions.

Complete Record Review

Inspection logs, work orders, janitorial records and prior complaints are read together with the physical evidence.

How Opinions Are Built

No Advocacy In The Opinion

The same method is applied whichever side retains him, and the opinion does not move to suit the party paying for it.

No Jargon Overload

Findings are written in plain terms, with the standard applied and the scope limit stated on the face of the report.

No Opinion Without Evidence

No opinion is offered before the record supports it. Where the documentation will not carry a conclusion, that is said plainly.

No Missed Details

Every observation is recorded and photographed so the basis for each opinion can be followed and tested by another expert.

What We Not Do

Courtroom gavel representing a matter in which Paul Gaston gave testimony

Slip and fall / personal injury. Retained for the plaintiff. Work performed: review, report and deposition.

Aguilar v. Creative Carpets

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois — No. 2023 L 6509

Construction defect. Retained for the plaintiff. Work performed: review, site visit, report, deposition and trial testimony.

Scott v. Hartz Construction

Circuit Court of Will County, Illinois — No. 2022 LA 000351

Construction defect. Retained for the defendant. Work performed: site visit, review, report and arbitration hearing.

Englehaupt v. A.B. Edward Enterprises

AAA Arbitration — No. 01-23-003-0263

Construction defect. Retained for the plaintiff. Work performed: site visit, review, report and deposition.

Talley v. Thunder Basin Homes

Gillette, Wyoming — No. 40491

Retained by Plaintiff & Defense Counsel

Morgan & MorganFor the PeopleRoetzel & AndressAttorneysCohen, Salk & Hoffman, P.C.Attorneys at LawLaw Office of Debra CrystalAttorney at LawSeth Shumaker, Esq.Attorney at Law