FAQs

Donan Engineering has historically had a reputation as an engineering firm that also conducts component and appliance testing. However, with our laser-focus on product failure analysis and our dedication to helping our clients make sound subrogation decisions, we’ve developed a respected name of our own in the subrogation industry.

As a part of the Alpine Intel suite of services, Component Testing Laboratories continues to work closely with Donan Engineering and National Fire Experts (formerly Donan Fire Investigation) to provide mechanical engineering, product failure testing, and evidence management support.

Loss Logistics, our in-house transportation service, combines customized packaging and fast shipping to ensure evidence arrives at our East or West Coast facility in an unaltered condition.

Together, Loss Logistics and CTL reduce the inherent risk of evidence spoliation by providing a single-line chain of custody.

Loss Logistics is the industry’s only nationwide shipping and receiving company dedicated to evidence preservation. Loss Logistics hubs are located at Component Testing Laboratories facilities in Simpsonville, KY and in Henderson, NV.

When you arrange for a Loss Logistics evidence pickup, we transport it to the nearest facility in the most efficient route possible.

No, if you or your policyholder would prefer to work with another shipping service, we are ready to receive it.

However, we cannot guarantee that another shipping service will deliver the evidence to our facility in an unaltered condition.

We also offer our clients self-addressed shipping kits they can use to send us small components, if this is all we need to examine.

CTL experts offer retrieval and/or analysis of raw black box data on select vehicles, giving our clients the facts they need to make decisions on high-dollar auto claims. Retrieving this data is time sensitive, and a certified technician from CTL’s nationwide network will arrive onsite to promptly collect crash data. Upon request, a Professional Engineer will analyze the data collected by our certified technicians and provide a detailed report.

Subrogation is a term describing a right held by most insurance carriers to legally pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to the insured.

Through subrogation, insurance carriers can recover some, or even all, of a claim previously paid out to a policyholder.

Insurance carriers benefit through the return of revenue on paid claims.

Policyholders benefit because, depending on product liability laws applicable to their jurisdiction or their specific policy, the policyholder may be entitled to complete or partial reimbursement for their deductible.

All product failure testing is conducted by Professional Engineers specializing in specific failure modes, ensuring that evidence is examined by experts familiar with the latest trends.

Many of them have attained certifications and/or qualifications as master plumbers, metallurgists, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators (NAFI-CFEI).

We also have Crash Data Retrieval technicians and Certified Property and Evidence Specialists (CPES) on staff.

Each investigation is conducted using the scientific method. This ensures a consistent and accurate product that will withstand legal inquiry. CTL engineers apply extensive and specified knowledge of product failures and related trends to determine the cause of failure supported by evidence, so clients can make the best decision for their claims.

Yes, each of our facilities have rooms equipped with anything multiple parties might need to conduct destructive or non-destructive testing on components or appliances. These rooms can be secured from the rest of the facility, offering a controlled environment.

We also have convenient breakout rooms for group discussions, and we can perform virtual joint inspections if it’s more convenient for other parties.

We designed our laboratories and warehouses to accommodate the full spectrum of our clients’ needs, including secure storage to preserve your evidence for as long as you need. Our facilities are covered by 24-hour surveillance cameras, and we take photo documentation for quality assurance throughout the investigation process.