To: Company:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Fax:
Re:
DOI:
FFEI File #:
Dear Mr.
We are pleased that you have contacted us regarding this case. We strive to establish long-term relationships with our clients and will provide you with the best service possible.
Attached is our fee schedule, engagement letter and our form requesting information pertaining to this case. Please review and if in agreement, submit ta signed engagement letter, the information form and a minimum retainer of $1000.00 to cover up to (4 hours at $250/hour) minimum fee for deposition or trial. Issue all retainer checks to:
Chaiban Engineering Consultants, Inc.
C/O Joseph Chaiban
2787 East Oakland Park Blvd suite #211
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
Also please sign the Retainer Agreement, send us an original and keep a copy for your file.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to working with you on this case.
Sincerely,
Joseph Chaiban,PE.
Structural Engineer
Chaiban Engineering Consultants, Inc., Inc.
FEE SCHEDULE as of January 1, 2018 subject to modifications or revocation at any time prior to acceptance by client.
TAX ID# 65-XXXXXXXX
Hourly Rates
Principal Engineers, PE. $250.00/hr
Senior Engineers, PE. $200.00/hr
Assistant Engineers EIT $180.00/hr
Draftsman/Mechanics $85.00/hr
Technicians $75.00/hr
Expert Witness $250.00 /hr ( Signed contract plus a retainer subject to a case by case basis, minimum retainer not less than $1000.00, minimum fee per day up to (4) hours
any hours above the minimum of 4.0 hours shall be paid at the rate of $250 per hour )
Deposition
Deposition – Principal Engineers $1,000.00 flat fee up to 4 hours minimum fee/ per day
$250.00/hr for any hours over 4 hours
$250.00/hr for preparation ( minimum fee : 2 hours x $250.00/hour = $500.00 for deposition and/or trials)
Deposition – Senior Engineers $800.00 flat fee up to 4 hours
$200.00/hr over 4 hours
$200.00/hr for pre-trial or pre deposition preparation ( minimum fee: 2 hours x $200 = $400.00 for deposition and/or trials)
Deposition – Engineers EIT $720.00 flat fee up to 4 hours
$180.00/hr over 4 hours
$180.00/hr
Trial Rates
Court Appearance – Principal Engineers $270.00/hr
Court Appearance – Senior Engineers/expert $250.00/hr or Expert Witness ($1,000.00 up front paid fee up to 4 hours minimum fee/ per day)
Court Appearance – Engineers $180.00/hr
Overnight per-diem Negotiable
Other:
Retainer $1,000.00 to 2,500.00 or other amount and signed Agreement to render engineering services.
New Case Administration Fee $40.00
Vehicle Travel Expense $0.60 / mile
Other Associated Expenses cost + 10%
Computer Graphics and Animation Negotiable
Evidence Storage $25.00/month*
Copy of Video Tapes $50.00/tape
Copy of CD/DVD $25.00/disc
Copy of File Materials (Additional) $45.00/Set-up
One – 25 pages $1.00/Page
Each Additional after 25 $0.25/Page
Consultation Fees For Initial Discussion of Case:
1. By phone -- no cost ( Limited to 1/2 hour maximum, after which a fee of $250 per hour shall be charged to client)
2. At CEC office -- no cost ( Limited to 1/2 hour maximum after which a fee of $250 per hour shall be charged to client )
3. At another location -- at full rate as set forth above including travel time portal to portal.
Details of Fees:
All charges are portal-to-portal or negotiable
*Minimum Administrative and storage fee, additional cost based on storage volume requirements
Delinquent accounts are charged additional service expenses of $40.00 and 1 ½% each month past due.
Any delinquent accounts shall cause expert to either terminate or suspend expert services including trials and depositions.
Premium rate is the same as the Court Appearance rate.
ENGAGEMENT LETTER " Engineering Agreement"
We appreciate the opportunity of working with you and advising you regarding your case. To ensure a mutual understanding, we set forth the following pertinent information about our services.
CHAIBAN ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, INC. (hereafter referred to as CEC), a Florida Corporation, and CLIENT do acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. CLIENT is free to contact CEC to discuss the case. CLIENT incurs no obligation to CEC for any fees or cost unless CLIENT utilizes the services of CEC related to the case identified below.
2. CLIENT acknowledges that the CEC labor rates for this case are shown on the attached fee schedule. Labor rates do not include expenses, which will be billed at cost plus 10%. Hourly rates may change during the time duration of the case. All work performed by the engineers of CEC or the engineering staff outside the standard business hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM may be subject to a premium rate as indicated on the fee schedule.
3. CLIENT agrees to provide CEC a minimum retainer, as identified on the fee schedule, prior to utilizing CEC services or declaration of CEC consultant(s) on any case for which CEC services may be desired. Budget constraints or pre authorized billing limits must be communicated to CEC.
4. Receipt of this agreement signed by CLIENT shall bind this agreement. The retainer is applied to the billings of CEC with any remaining credit being refunded following notification of completion of services on the case by CLIENT to CEC.
5. All communication and information between CLIENT and CEC is considered privileged and confidential. CEC will provide disclosure to others only when directed and authorized by CLIENT in writing or required by law.
6. Payment to CEC shall be made promptly, and shall not be contingent upon the results of any legal action, arbitration, or settlement. CLIENT understands that CEC will invoice after service is provided, monthly, or when requested. CLIENT understands that the CEC invoice terms are due upon receipt. All fees shall be paid prior to deposition and trial. Invoices will be faxed or sent by e-mail unless the original is requested. Any balance outstanding for more than thirty (30) days of the invoice shall be deemed delinquent and subject to late payment fees, penalty fees, and/or interest charges.
7. CLIENT acknowledges that the use of a CEC consultant(s) name in any manner is not authorized unless this signed agreement is returned to CEC, subject to privacy laws.
8. CEC will invoice opposing counsel appropriately. However, the CLIENT must pay for any and all fees not paid for by the opposing counsel.
9. CLIENT is responsible for payment of services rendered per hourly rates stipulated in this agreement and agrees that any collection action shall be held in Broward County, Florida. Florida law shall govern and Attorney's fees and costs in collecting payment shall be born by the Client.
Case: CEC File #:
CLIENT Name:
CLIENT Signature: Date:
CEC Signature: Date:
The following is information requested by CEC to open a new case file. Please complete and/or correct the following pertinent sections and return via e-mail to jchaiban@aol.com or fax to 954-561-0489
Date: CEC File #:
Client:
Company:
Address:
City, ST, Zip:
Phone and Ext.:
Cell:
FAX:
E-mail:
Legal Assistant:
Invoices Sent to:
Citation:
P/D
Opposing Attorney:
Date of Incident:
Time of Incident:
Location of Incident:
What Happened:
Request of CEC: