About IEI Consulting, Inc.
IEI has been in business for 23 years and serve clients predominantly in the Eastern United States from bases in both Annapolis, MD and Saint Augustine, Florida. IEI's founder and principal 
investigator is Michael Wald, a nationally recognized expert in the investigation of electrical failure incidents and accidents involving electrical equipment. Mr. Wald has over 30 years' experience investigating incidents involving the installation, maintenance, design and manufacture of consumer electronics, residential and commercial power and wiring systems, and industrial electrical equipment and has performed almost 4000 investigations. He has testified in both Federal and State courts in over a dozen states. (See Michael Wald Bio and printable resume below)
IEI maintains a relationship with various laboratories where metallurgical testing, X-rays, CT scans and other more technical analyses can be performed conveniently. IEI also maintains cooperative agreements with several other engineering investigators, computer graphics personnel, and administrative assistants. Should any of these services be required, they will be billed on an hourly basis and under the same general conditions described above.
Fee Schedule for Consulting Services
The current hourly billing rate for Mr. Wald is $350 for all investigative activities including travel, on-site investigation, laboratory testing and analysis, and document review. This rate is often discounted for travel, on a case-by-case basis, for matters where extended travel time is involved. This rate includes the use of standard investigative tools and equipment including cameras, electronic test equipment, and power tools.
Mr. Wald’s rate for deposition and trial testimony is $500 per hour. There is a minimum charge of 4 hours for all deposition and trial testimony. Deposition or trial testimony which is canceled less than 48 hours before the scheduled appearance time will be charged a cancellation fee of 4 hours for local appearances and 8 hours for out of town appearances.
All other travel expenses are billed at actual cost with no mark-ups and business vehicle mileage is charged at $0.67 per mile. As a private pilot with access to an airplane, Mr. Wald can often get to remote locations more quickly and more economically than by driving or taking commercial carriers. The hourly rate for usage of his airplane is $200 per hour for actual flight time.
Michael Wald - (Printable pdf)
Background
Electrical Engineering Consultant specializing in the investigation of fires and explosions, electrical equipment failures, electrical injury incidents, and accidents involving biomedical equipment. Specific expertise in the analysis of causation of fires, electrical equipment damage, electrocution and electric shock, accident reconstruction, biomedical device failures, and codes and standards for electrical and biomedical equipment installation and maintenance. Testifying experience in all of the above areas, both plaintiff and defense. Over 20 years experience in the installation, maintenance, testing and repair of complex electro-mechanical equipment. Knowledgeable in the application of a variety of medical equipment, devices, and procedures. Over two thousand investigations performed involving consumer products, wiring and cabling, medical devices, and residential, commercial, and industrial electrical equipment. Technical management of large loss fire and explosion investigations involving multi-disciplinary teams of investigating engineers across the United States and abroad.
Education
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. - 1977
- Double Major in Pre-med. and Electrical Engineering
- Master of Science (M.S.), George Washington University, Washington, D.C. - 1983
- Electrical Engineering with minors in Medical Engineering and Computer Science
- Certificate of Participation, Hughes Institute, Fire Chemistry and Arson Investigation, 1992
Professional Experience
President, Electrical Engineering Consultant, IEI Consulting, Inc., 1999 to Present
Management of forensic engineering consulting company, and principle investigator. Perform technical investigations, direct the investigations of sub-contracted services, and oversee all company operations.
Electrical Engineering Consultant, 1995 to 1999
Consulting services to various clients on the cause and origin of electrical equipment malfunctions and failures, fire and explosion investigations, personal injuries involving electrical equipment, and medical device incidents.
Senior Engineer / Department Director, FTI Corporation, 1990 to 1995
Investigation of engineering incidents relating to fires, explosions, personal injuries, medical device failures, property damage, equipment malfunctions, and insurance claim evaluations. Technical direction and management of electrical and biomedical departments. On-site management of large loss fire and explosion investigations involving multi-disciplinary teams of engineers.
President/Owner, Miga Development, 1987 to 2000
Site development and construction of single family homes, additions and renovations, and consulting services.
Experience in modular and stick-built construction, electrical, mechanical and plumbing system installations, grading and foundations, and permitting and inspection procedures.
Director of Field Service, MacDonald Detwiler and Associates, 1985 to 1987
Hiring, training, and management of a team of engineers installing and maintaining laser photoplotting equipment for customers throughout North America. Hands-on troubleshooting of complex system problems and participation in product development evaluations and testing.
Eastern Region Service Manager, Gould, Incorporated, 1982 to 1985
Engineering and management of the eastern region service operation for the installation and maintenance of high speed image processing equipment in military, medical, and commercial installations.
Eastern Region Engineer, General Electric Medical Systems, 1979 to 1982
Installation, maintenance, and applications training for patient monitoring systems used in intensive care units, coronary care units, emergency and operating rooms. Additional experience in X-ray, CAT-scanners, and Nuclear-scanning equipment.
Biomedical Technician, Greater Southeast Community Hospital, 1977 to 1979
Maintenance of a variety of hospital medical equipment including therapeutic, diagnostic, laboratory, surgical, and patient monitoring. Experience in Operating Room, Intensive Care, Critical Care, and Neo-Natal Intensive Care equipment systems.
Professional Associations
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
- National Fire Protection Association