Chris LeBlanc is an experienced forensic consultant focused on Premises Liability, Construction Defects, and Property Damage. He offers comprehensive analysis and clear documentation of disputed property conditions compared to relevant Codes and Standards, Construction Documents, Expert Reports, and Witness Statements. Chris’ approach combines intuitive visuals and concise reports to clarify building requirements and effectively present relevant facts.

Areas of Specialization

Building Codes / Life Safety Codes / ADA Regulations
Specializes in assessing disputed As-Built premises conditions to determine applicable code requirements and evaluate compliance with a wide range of building codes, regulations, and standards including the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), ADA Regulations (ANSI 117.1), and Life Safety Code.

As-Built Documentation / Site Inspection
As-built documentation of premises conditions for renovation and forensics via advanced technologies including Laser Scanning, Photogrammetry, and P2P Distometers. Knowledgeable about the achievable accuracy and potential error sources for a wide range of measurement and documentation methods. Utilizes proprietary and patent-pending tools to evaluate and document compliance with Building Code requirements for Changes in Elevation within the Means of Egress such as stairs, ramps and other walking surfaces.

Forensic Experience

Premises Liability
Building Code Violations
Life Safety Code Violations
ADA Code Violations
Trip and Falls
Stair Defects / Code Violations
Falls From Height
Property Condition Assessment

Design Defects
Construction Defects
Hurricane Property Damage
Insurance Claim Dispute
Construction Class Action
Parking Lot Safety
Industrial / Workplace Safety
Building Systems

Selected Cases Examples

Trip and Fall on Entry Stair - Defense, LA, Consultant
Assessed alleged code violations related to stair dimensions. Demonstrated the opposing expert incorrectly cited building codes and relied on an unreliable measurement methodology that is specifically advised against in NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.

Hurricane Damage Dispute – Plaintiff, TX, Expert Witness
Provided analysis comparing appraisal reports to documented damage of a 4-story hotel. Created a 3D reconstruction of as-failed conditions based on construction drawings, as-built drawings, construction photos, and high-resolution aerial photos. Demonstrated appraisal errors via 3D visualizations which clearly identified areas that were covered vs not covered and compared these to documented wind-created damage.

Renovation Means and Methods Allegedly Violated Buildings Codes - Defense, FL, Expert Witness
Compared documentation of construction progress to permitted construction documents, building codes, and standards. Created timeline of the construction process and permit approval record including detailed 3d visualizations comparing construction details as installed vs required by codes.

Trip and Fall at Night in Parking Lot - Defense, LA, Consultant
Assessed allegations that lighting levels violated certain codes and standards. Provided exhibits and reports which correctly identified the applicable historic building codes and standards for lighting levels where the fall occurred and demonstrated those levels exceeded requirements. Prepared questions for deposition.

Slip and Fall on Water Allegedly Caused by a Single Ply Roof Leak - Defense, IL, Consultant
Analyzed allegations that a TPO roof leak caused a patron to slip and fall. Created a detailed 3d model of the roof and ceiling structure to analyze potential sources of leaks where the fall occurred. Animated sequence explaining the process of installing TPO roofing.