By: Kristopher J. Seluga, PE
Tel: (203) 329-9909
Email: Technology Associates
An end user of a product expects that a given product will not only function as intended, but will be safe from non-obvious hazards. Based upon decades of experience with mishaps during use of common and specialized equipment, thousands of standards have been developed for many consumer products and industrial equipment. Numerous organizations exist, e.g., ANSI, ASTM, SAE, and ASME, that regularly review and update these standards.
We have extensive experience with many types of products including:
Through scientific analysis, we can help you answer pertinent questions such as:
Lawn Tractor Fire:
A lawn tractor tipped over trapping its rider under it. While on its side, gasoline trickled from an air hole in the gas cap onto the surrounding area. Eventually, the spilled gasoline fumes ignited, severely burning the operator's legs. We demonstrated how the addition of a simple gasoline supply shut off valve for the air hole when the tractor is rolled on its side would have avoided the fire. Afterwards the manufacturer offered a $1 million settlement.
Alleged Elevator Door Defect:
A woman exiting an elevator claimed that the door closed too forcibly on her knee as she was exiting the car, seriously injuring her. Our testing revealed that the elevator door closed with reasonable speed, energy and force levels, and that her injuries could not have been caused by the closing of the subject elevator door.
Kristopher J. Seluga, PE, is a Mechanical Engineering, Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics, and Safety Expert with over 20 years of experience. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Mechanical Engineering department at MIT where he worked on the development of novel three-dimensional printing technologies. Mr. Seluga is also a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and Connecticut, and has served as a member of the ANSI engineering committee for the Z130.1 and Z135 standards for golf cars and PTV's. His research interests and peer reviewed publications span the topics of Motor Vehicle Dynamics, Product Safety, and Biomechanics.
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7/31/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Forensic Engineering Experts: Vehicle Rollover
In many vehicle rollover investigations, it is necessary to know not only the speeds and motions of the vehicles involved, but the causes of injuries suffered by their occupants as well. Such investigations seek to answer questions regarding occupant ejection, effects of seatbelt use, roof crush and body-interior impacts.
7/31/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Forensic Engineering Experts: Motorcycles
Motorcycles, like passenger cars, are capable of high speeds and must share the road with other vehicles. However, unlike passenger cars, motorcycles are capable of rapid accelerations, offer little protection to the operator during a collision and require special skills to maneuver effectively.
9/6/2017· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Case Study: Retained by Plaintiff Injured Motorist
By: Richard Beaubien
A motorist exiting a rural freeway was struck by a motorist on the intersecting State Route at the top of the exit ramp. At the westbound exit ramp from the Interstate freeway the State Route a stop sign is posted at the end of the ramp requiring exiting traffic to stop before entering the State Route. However, the eastbound off ramp traffic is not required to stop before entering the State Route. A stop sign is posted on southbound State Route at the ramp terminal. This is an unusual traffic signing pattern for interstate off ramps. Expert observations of the operation of this intersection showed that a large proportion of the eastbound off ramp traffic slowed down at the end of the ramp, expecting to stop at the State Route.
