Case Studies

The difference between a wise person and a smart person is that the wise person has the ability to predict and prevent future problems, whereas the smart person finds ways of dealing with problems as they are encountered along the way. The objectives of many of the investigations and due-diligence that we undertake are to minimize or prevent damage. Consequently, the benefit is not always visible as an immediate result but rather extends over a lengthy period of time and often, just the lack of negative events, constitutes tremendous success. We have compiled several case studies as means by which you can also see the immediate benefit, whereby we were able to save our clients vast sums of money.

Due Diligence
Background investigations (after Lawsuit)
Background Investigation
Insurance Investigations
Business Investigations
Tracing Heirs

1. Due Diligence:
A businessman contracted with a large company in Canada in order to establish a new project. The man listed his qualifications and vast experience in the specific field of the project and also demonstrated an impressive, persuasive ability by which he convinced the company to fund and sponsor the project. However, moments before signing the contractual documents, one of the company executives of medium seniority asked to verify the candidate's details "only for the record". The other members already being convinced of closing a lucrative deal, pushed the investigators into hurrying along and completing a positive report. EMT conducted an investigation into the man's past and found that ten years earlier, while residing in another continent, he had been involved in two failed transactions which let to his local partners suffering serious financial losses. Despite the time that had elapsed, EMT tracked down the partners in those same failed projects and they portrayed a totally different picture of the person who had caused their financial collapse. What was interesting, was the fact that the candidate, himself, did not suffer any damage, since he always abstained from investing money in his own deals! As a result of this new information coming to light, the Canadian company reconsidered the terms of the contract and imposed new terms. This measure saved the company a fortune, as well as their reputation, which might have been tainted had it been revealed that they had contracted with a former con artist.



2. Background investigations (after Lawsuit)
A care practitioner, who was employed by a large hospital in the U.S., caused, during the course of his employment, the death of one of his patients. Relatives of the deceased filed a claim against the hospital that employed the care practitioner, alleging that the failure to administer proper medical care had led to the patient's death. EMT was hired by the defendant hospital employing the care practitioner, to gather evidence for their defense. EMT's findings were presented to the hospital's attorneys, and showed that, in the past, whilst residing in another state, the care practitioner used drugs which resulted in his not turning up for work at his former place of employment. Furthermore, investigation into the care practitioner's private life revealed that he used to be a drug user. The above information revealed that the employer/defendant had not conducted a thorough examination of the candidate, prior to accepting him as an employee. Should these details have come to light, then the defendant/employer might have been found liable, even though they were not the main reason for the death of the patient. The medical center's attorneys, having been alerted by EMT of this lapse, moved hastily towards finalizing the claim and reached a convenient settlement. In this way, lengthy legal proceedings and the discovery of hot information by the prosecution were avoided, both of which would have resulted in the defendants paying far higher compensation, due to negligence in choosing their employees.



3. Background Investigation:
A similar, yet different case (see Case Study #2) led EMT to act on behalf of the plaintiffs. An individual who was left disabled during the course of routine surgery, filed a claim against the hospital and the surgeon, in spite of the fact that, prima facie, the doctor and hospital team had performed their duty, following all the rules required by law. EMT's brief was to investigate the surgeon's past and experience. Our investigation led to the disclosure of embarrassing findings pertaining to the doctor and his spouse's involvement in the use of dangerous substances during private, social events. During the course of the trial, EMT's findings were presented, leaving a heavy shadow on the doctor's credibility and expertise. Evidence given throughout the trial regarding the doctor's rich experience and numerous diplomas took on a different light, when it was revealed that, in his private life, the doctor did not follow the same moral principles Even though, the prosecution was not successful in proving that the doctor was directly liable for the incident, the hospital was compelled to pay the Plaintiffs a sum of approximately US$ 800,000.-, due to the revelation that they had not prudently examined the Accused's past. Thus evidence provided by EMT had raised questions regarding employers' liability and placed seeds of doubt in the jurors minds as to the doctor's qualifications and alertness.



4. Insurance Investigations:
An individual filed a monetary claim for the sum of 3 million dollars, alleging bodily injury. According to the statement of the claim, he was standing in a secured, private compound, when he was attacked and nearly fatally injured by unknown persons who tried to rob him of his money. EMT was asked by the defendants  the owners of the property site and the security company  to examine the plaintiff's credibility, as well as his physical ability. EMT conducted an in-depth investigation into the plaintiff's history, as well as carrying out surveillance to check his physical ability. Research into the plaintiff's past revealed that this was the third case in which he was involved in a claim for bodily injury and, strangely enough, each of his previous claims had occurred in a different state or a different continent. EMT, therefore, reached the conclusion that this was a "serial plaintiff" who "made a living" by filing claims and receiving compensation. Surveillance revealed that the plaintiff was a family man, residing in a luxurious apartment, idly spending his time playing with cats and working-out at his privately-owned gym! Furthermore, the bodily injury that he alleged to have suffered in his claim was, in fact a consequence of earlier cases, reinvented by the plaintiff. He had been counting on the immense difficulty which would be encountered in tracing his medical history, conveniently spread throughout various countries. However, the information and videotaping obtained by EMT investigators convinced the jury and consequently, the insurance company saved a substantial amount of money.


5. Business Investigations:
Exposing a Mole: Whilst visiting an international exhibition, the executives of a high-tech company suddenly noticed a product (in the advanced developmental stages) similar to one that they had developed. Since this was a unique product with a limited market of clientele, the company thought that this was too much of a coincidence. The EMT team appointed to investigate this matter, patiently reviewed all the current employees and former employees of the company, sketched profiles and singled out a number of "potential suspects", on whom undercover surveillance was carried out. Cameras installed in one of the company's development laboratories revealed that a certain employee tended to stay after hours, during which time he collected sketches and photocopied them. Further study of that same employee, showed that he socialized with the husband of the competing company's, senior secretary and the three of them were observed during an evening out. From here onwards the loose ends were tied and, having gathered the evidence, the foundation was laid for a legal claim against the "mole", who had already been fired, as well as against the competitor company. Apparently, the "mole" had run into hefty, financial troubles, which motivated him to sell secrets of the company employing him. In this case, the competitor company confessed and the parties reached a financial understanding, out of court.



6. Tracing Heirs:
An American Government Agency approached a local attorney's office with the request that they trace the heirs of an affluent woman who had passed away and did not appear to have any next of kin. EMT was appointed to trace the testator's relatives of second and third degree, in order to fairly and honorably distribute her inheritance. Following extensive investigations conducted in Israel and North America, two relatives of second degree were traced. It was further clarified that there were no other surviving relatives.