Opinions Grounded In Licensed Contractor Experience
“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.”
Paul Gaston
Premises Safety and Walking Surface Analysis
Where A Fall Case Is Won Or Lost
Why This Experience Holds Up In Court
The Steps To Develop Your Matter
Conflict Check
Party names, the incident location, the matter type and your operative deadlines, so fit and availability can be confirmed straight away.
Records Review
Incident reports, photographs and video, inspection and janitorial logs, work orders, policies and prior complaints for the location.
Site Inspection
The as-found condition documented with photographs, dimensional measurement, moisture readings and mapping to the incident location.
Testimony
Deposition, arbitration and trial testimony delivered within the scope stated in the report and supported by the documented record.
Written Report
Findings, the basis for each opinion and the standards applied, with the scope limits stated plainly on the face of the report.
Standards Comparison
The documented condition measured against ASTM F1637, the applicable building code, ADA requirements and manufacturer instructions.
Matters Where Paul Gaston Has Been Retained
Retained on a slip and fall matter in Cook County, Illinois, addressing the walking-surface condition, the floor covering and the maintenance practice in place at the location. Engagement listed as a factual record; no outcome is characterised.
Aguilar v. Creative Carpets
Retained in this matter on premises and construction issues within the scope of a licensed general contractor and journeyman carpenter. Listed here as a record of engagement only, with no representation as to result.
Scott v. Hartz
Retained on construction and premises-condition questions falling within a licensed contractor's scope. The full testimony history is available in the curriculum vitae for Rule 26 disclosure on request.
Englehaupt v. A.B. Edward
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a premises liability expert witness do?
A premises liability expert examines the condition alleged to have caused a fall and measures it against recognised standards. That means reviewing the records, documenting the as-found walking surface, and comparing it to ASTM F1637, the building code and the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.
Why retain a licensed contractor for a fall case?
Most premises matters turn on how a surface was built, finished and maintained rather than on structural design. A licensed general contractor and journeyman carpenter has installed the flooring and thresholds at issue and has run the inspection programmes meant to keep them safe.
Which counties and courts are covered?
Paul is based in Chicago and works throughout Cook County, with matters also accepted in Will County and elsewhere in Illinois. He has been retained in Illinois state court under Frye and Donaldson, and is available for Northern District of Illinois matters under Daubert.
What records should counsel send first?
The incident report, photographs and video, inspection and janitorial logs for the period before the incident, work orders for the area, the housekeeping policy in force, prior complaints for the same location, and the flooring specification where known.
How early should an expert be brought into a matter?
Earlier is better wherever the condition can still be documented. Surfaces get refinished, matting gets moved and logs get overwritten, so an inspection close in time to the incident produces far stronger documentation than a later reconstruction from photographs.
Is instrumented slip-resistance testing performed in-house?
No. Measuring coefficient of friction requires walkway-auditor certification and calibrated instruments. Where a matter needs that measurement it is coordinated with a certified walkway auditor, while Paul addresses surface condition, maintenance practice and the standard of care.
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