Dennis Caputo as As Consulting Expert Environmental Matters

Case 6: Reader’s Wholesale Distributors v. Southern Pacific Transportation Company

Plaintiff’s counsel retained Mr. Caputo after a contractor found contamination on the client’s property in the midst of warehouse construction.  Mr. Caputo advised the plaintiff on the most expedient and cost effective way of dealing with the contaminated soil given the expense of the construction delays.  He then evaluated the data collected by the prior consultant, identified the probable source of contamination and pathways, characterized the contamination and linked it to the source.    

He worked with counsel in developing the case against the adjoining property owner/operator, identified and interviewed expert witnesses and provided expert witness testimony on the nature and source of contamination.

Mr. Caputo assisted counsel in developing questions for expert and fact witnesses for the other parties to the lawsuit.  He also evaluated all depositions and advised counsel on the probable impact on the client’s case.

During discovery, it became apparent that the groundwater underlying the adjoining property was contaminated.  Mr. Caputo was able to show that the groundwater under the client’s property was also contaminated and that the adjoining property owner/operator was the source of contamination. 

Mr. Caputo participated in mediation discussions and was instrumental in developing a settlement favorable to the client.