banner ad
Experts Logo

articles

Choosing An Elevator Expert Witness

By: Ronald Creak
Tel: (866) 784-2597
Email Mr. Creak
Website: www.creak-moskal.com.


When choosing an expert witness, most people will agree it is vitally important to select the right one from the outset. As a previous Corporate Risk Manager for a national self-insured elevator manufacturer and service provider, I learned rather quickly which credentials were absolutely necessary to achieve the level of skill and credibility required to successfully evaluate the various issues of any given case.

First and foremost, an elevator/escalator expert witness must have hands-on field experience installing, adjusting, maintaining, repairing and trouble-shooting a wide range of vertical transportation equipment. An added bonus would be if the expert also had experience in supervising and assisting the work of other field technicians, particularly in the area of trouble-shooting difficult field problems.

Second, a thorough and complete understanding of the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, evidenced by QEI (Qualified Elevator Inspector) certification from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, is essential. Complete knowledge of a multitude of other safety codes and regulations, applicable to vertical transportation, is also required.

Third, a long history of specialization in the field of elevator and escalator accident investigation is a significant benefit due to the tremendous amount and value of technical knowledge gained through the investigative process, which is not otherwise available through any other means.

Due to the nature of litigation arising from elevator and escalator accidents, advanced degrees are not necessary for an experienced elevator and escalator expert to provide an accurate technical analysis of most all situations. Formal education is important, however, especially the knowledge and experience required to become a licensed elevator technician and obtain QEI certification.

The ideal elevator expert witness will be proficient in all three areas - hands-on experience, knowledge of codes and regulations, and experience in investigating elevator accidents.


Ronald E. Creak is an independent consultant, specializing in elevator accident investigation, claims resolution and expert witness services. He has been involved with more than 3000 cases. Mr. Creak is a NAESA Certified ASME QEI Elevator Safety Inspector. His 40+-year career spans virtually all aspects of the elevator and escalator industry.

©Copyright - All Rights Reserved

DO NOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY AUTHOR.

Related articles

michael-panish-logo.gif

12/17/2013· Elevators - Escalator - Automatic Doors

Low Energy Door Systems A Basic Primer for Your Next Door Injury Case

By: Michael Panish

In conjunction with many other articles that I have had published pertaining to high energy doors, or what most people think of when they say automatic doors, low energy systems can be equally dangerous and need to be appropriately and properly maintained.

michael-panish-logo.gif

12/10/2014· Elevators - Escalator - Automatic Doors

Door Injuries & "The Eggshell Plaintiff"

By: Michael Panish

Every good attorney needs to consider the validity of every potential claim. As the most frequently retained door expert witness, working for both Plaintiff and Defense evenly, I have been retained on door injury and wrongful death claims that were not caused by malfunctioning doors or door hardware. As discovery has often shown, people in poor physical or mental condition who are left unattended or unassisted while moving through properly functioning doorways are often the genesis of their own injuries. All commercial venues have the responsibility to maintain their facilities to industry wide standards, seek proper routine maintenance, and provide daily inspections of their door systems. However, it is difficult to provide safe passage to every patron of their facilities when some of those patrons may include persons requiring diligent physical supervision, special assistance walking, or have special needs due to disease, mental incapacity, or other unknown infirmities.

michael-panish-logo.gif

6/12/2014· Elevators - Escalator - Automatic Doors

Manual Door Closers - Do You Have an Open and Shut Case?

By: Michael Panish

During the past several years I have been contacted many times regarding door injury claims related to manual door closers. In response to numerous inquires asking if I have published any manual door closer articles similar to the primers I have done on automatic pedestrian doors, I am offering this article for general information to assist attorneys in determining potential issues relating to manual door closer mechanisms.

;
Experts.com-No broker Movie Ad

Follow us

linkedin logo youtube logo rss feed logo
;