Karrie Clinkinbeard is a member of the firm’s Fire and Electrical Liability practice group. She represents utility companies, businesses, product manufacturers and fireworks companies, among others, in matters involving fires, explosions, electrocution, chemical release, product failure and carbon monoxide poisoning.
As one of an elite group of attorneys accredited as a Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), certified by the National Association of Fire Investigators, Karrie stays on the cutting edge of new developments in fire science. This CFEI certification is recognized by the National Fire Protection Association and NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations.
From scene management, origin and cause determination, to post-accident investigation, Karrie handles incidents such as product or equipment failures and industrial disasters. In many instances, she is involved at the initial event to evaluate, examine, reconstruct and assess. Understanding the critical concern regarding evidence spoliation, Karrie is thoroughly knowledgeable in spoliation prevention and accident scene preservation.
Karrie promotes early warning systems for her clients. Proactively counseling organizations in guarding against potential problems, she arranges experts by region and coordinates response teams, fire investigators, engineers and company officials.
She is one of only a handful of certified instructors for the Department of Homeland Security and the National Fire Academy. Karrie teaches police and fire department personnel, fire marshals and private and in-house investigators on changes in NFPA 921, spoliation of evidence, scene documentation, investigation methodologies and how to handle questions in the courtroom. She has presented across the country at numerous seminars, including the National Association of Fire Investigators’ National Seminar on Fire Analysis Litigation, the International Symposium on Fire Investigation and Science Technology, the IAAI Annual Training Conference and the Natural Gas Claims and Litigation Seminar.
The balance of Karrie’s practice involves the defense of life, health and disability providers, insurers and plan sponsors in federal and state court litigation, including ERISA actions. She counsels regarding wrongful denial, termination of benefits and interpretation of policies.