Root Cause Forensic Science and Engineering believes finding the cause as accurately and precisely as possible is the first, necessary step, particularly with subrogation. Finding all potential avenues for subrogation is not the goal of investigation. Ten "possibles" does not make one "probable". In a proper investigation, a list of hypotheses is merely a mid-point. The point is to find the root cause and, if it exists, the correct avenue for subrogation.

Subrogation is like goal tending: a perfect performance achieves a zero. A successful subrogation merely meets clients' expectations. A mistaken subrogation is obviously a failure. It is the mistaken subrogations that increase the cost of the loss with no chance of recovery from another party. Mistaken subrogations are an opportunity to lose twice: lose paying the claim and lose the costs attempting subrogation. Get the cause right first, then let the client assess subrogation.

Most forensic companies will describe their successes in providing the reports upon which successful subrogations are based. Naturally we have experience there, including cases settled directly after the site inspection. With recovery, the shortest route to agreement is the course of action where the client loses the least money. Satisfied clients who continue to be satisfied after the matter is settled are the ones who will come back.