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Toxic Tort Case: GIS and Viewshed Analyses Evaluating Property Damage Claims
Law Firm Customer / Major Oil Company Defendant

Working for a law firm contracted by a major oil company in a toxic tort case, Destiny utilized GIS to analyze damage claims centering on a substantial drop in property values based on potential soil and groundwater contamination at a major refining site.

Destiny developed GIS maps, models, and reports resulting in a baseline appraisal model that evaluated and ranked claimant property values. As a key component of the study, Destiny conducted detailed “viewshed” analysis to assess, group, and rank the quality of mountain views from each property. Adding a control group for comparison, we identified and profiled neighboring properties with characteristics, views, and proximity to the refinery. We conducted a GIS-based evaluation of the claimant and control groups to identify similarities and differences, looking for outliers, shared or distinct relationships, groups or sub-groups amongst the data. The appraisal model was then compared and contrasted to actual appraised values to determine what property value damages existed. Additional analysis compared claims to soil and groundwater problems. Cases settled out of court. Details are confidential.