Jeff Charlton wins 2026 mould and water damage expert witness award

Building Forensics founder Jeff Charlton has been named Mould & Water Damage Expert Witness of the Year — England in The Lawyer Network 2026 Annual Awards. The recognition spotlights his forensic work on mould, water damage and remediation disputes used in court, insurance and legal cases.

Why it matters: - The award highlights growing demand for independent technical evidence in mould and water-damage disputes. - Charlton’s work is aimed at helping courts, solicitors, insurers, landlords and property owners separate root cause from visible damage. - The recognition may raise the profile of expert-witness analysis in cases involving hidden moisture, contamination and failed remediation.

What happened: - Jeff Charlton, founder of Building Forensics, was named Mould & Water Damage Expert Witness of the Year — England in The Lawyer Network 2026 Annual Awards. - The award was announced on August 18, 2026. - The Lawyer Network said the award recognises Charlton’s specialist work investigating mould contamination, water damage, failed remediation and building-related environmental conditions. - The 2026 trophy identified the award as “Mould & Water Damage Expert Witness of the Year — Jeff Charlton — Building Forensics — England.”

The details: - Charlton’s expert-witness work covers escape-of-water incidents, flood damage, visible and concealed mould contamination, disputed causes and duration of water damage, sewage and bacterial contamination, and post-remediation verification. - Building Forensics also handles continuing odours, occupant concerns after remedial work, sampling and laboratory interpretation, contractor procedures, documentation and competence, and building-related environmental and health-risk questions. - Investigations may include document review, moisture assessment, environmental measurements, sampling and laboratory analysis. - Environmental test results are not treated as stand-alone proof of medical causation. - Findings are assessed with the property history, observed conditions, potential exposure pathways, occupant vulnerability and the limitations of each sampling method. - Charlton said an expert’s responsibility is to explain the evidence independently, identify its limitations and assist the court rather than advocate for either party. - His work through Building Forensics is intended to provide clear, proportionate and technically supported evidence where mould, water damage, contamination or remediation quality is contested.

Between the lines: - The award points to a more nuanced view of mould disputes than simple visible staining or a moisture reading. - The emphasis on methodology, documentation and limitations suggests expert witnesses are expected to address both what evidence shows and what it cannot prove. - Charlton’s background in contamination investigation, disaster recovery and professional standards likely strengthens his credibility in technically complex cases. - The founding of the British Damage Management Association in 2001 reflects an effort to raise competence and reduce unnecessary claim costs in the industry.

What's next: - Charlton is likely to continue serving residential, commercial, healthcare, insurance and legal cases involving water intrusion, mould, microbial contamination and restoration failures. - Building Forensics will keep positioning its work around independent environmental investigation and court-focused reporting. - The award may bring additional attention to Jeff Charlton and Building Forensics and to The Lawyer Network Annual Awards.

The bottom line: - The award recognizes Jeff Charlton as a specialist expert witness in disputes where mould and water damage require technical proof, not just visible evidence.