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Consumer Product Liability Expert Witnesses: 26

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John L. Ryan, BSME, P.E. is a Mechanical Engineer who provides general Mechanical and Structural Engineering expertise. Mechanical and Safety Engineering (MASE) provides full service analysis and accident reconstruction of products involved in accidents.

Mr. Ryan's services have been requested for attorneys and insurance companies needing forensic engineering expert witness testimony to determine whether machinery and products involved in injury cases were adequately designed or whether they have a Design, Manufacturing, or Material Defect. All products are lab-tested on site to determine adherence to industry standards and engineering design protocol. Alternate preventative designs are developed when none exist commercially.

Mr. Ryan is available for both Plaintiff and Defense, depending on the individual case. His services include producing high quality reports and visual aids in the courtroom such as scale models to help explain accident scenarios and alternate designs to judges and juries.

Areas of Expertise:

Accident Investigation and Reconstruction
Machine Guarding Accident Investigation
Climbing Gym Accidents
Belay Device Failure
Rock Climbing Accidents
Fall Protection Failures
Ladder Failure Investigation
Tree Stand Failures
Industrial Accidents
Power Press Accidents
Connection Failures
Bolt Failures
Weld Failures
Testing Products to Industry Standards to Determine Compliance
Design Defect Analysis
Structural Analysis of Buildings
Product Liability Investigations
General Engineering Injuries and Issues
Industrial safety
Engineering Continuing Education
Product Certification

View John Ryan's Consulting Profile.

• John L. Ryan's Curriculum Vitae

• Consulting

• Product Liability

• Literature

• MASE Newsletter & Articles

12/15/2015 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Tree Stand Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Tree stand accidents occur frequently during hunting season, causing a variety of injuries from broken bones to paralysis and death. Tree stand accidents involve a variety of causes, including falls from the tree stand, collapse of the tree stand, fires, self inflicted gunshot wounds, and asphyxiation. A study by the Center for Disease Control examined hunting accidents from 1979-1989. 214 of 594 deer hunting related accidents involved tree stands. 52% of these tree stand accidents were due to falls from the stand, 32% were due to collapse of the tree stands.

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11/9/2015 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Ladder Accidents Part 2 - Extension Ladders

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

This issue of Forensic Clues is the second installment of an examination of ladder accidents. Last month we explored stepladders, this month we will be discussing extension ladders. Ladder accidents are a very common occurrence. Over half a million people annually seek medical attention due to ladder accidents. Over three hundred people are killed yearly in these often preventable accidents. This is a serious problem.

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10/27/2015 · Accident Prevention & Safety

Forensic Clues: Ladder Accidents Part 1 - Stepladders

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Ladder accidents occur frequently, often with very serious consequences. Ladders are tools that people use repeatedly, at home and on the job. The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) states that there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries annually due to ladders in the United States.

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9/15/2015 · Fires & Explosions

Dust Explosions and Prevention

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

A study by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of important dust explosions in the U.S. from 1900 to 1956 found 1123 explosions. The type of material involved in the explosions ranged from wood, food and feed, plastics, coal, metals, paper, and chemicals. These explosions resulted in a total of 676 fatalities. The most frequent explosions consisted of food particle explosions. These accounted for over 50% of the total explosions. Wood dust explosions were also frequent, accounting for 14.5% of the total explosions.

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7/27/2015 · Engineering

Forensic Clues: Principles of Engineering Design

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

The nursery rhyme involving Humpty Dumpty is a child's first lesson in safety. What would keep Humpty Dumpty safe as he is sitting on the wall? A warning or a railing?

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6/29/2015 · OSHA

Forensic Clues: Power Press Safeguarding

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 1,600 and 2,000 amputations occur annually due to power press operation. Another 18,000 people receive less serious injuries annually. Injury statistics compiled by OSHA for the years 1975 through 1983 confirm these figures. These numbers are alarming and unnecessarily high. Power presses can be used safely when the presses are properly designed to minimize the hazard that the operator is exposed to.

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5/26/2015 · Machinery

Forensic Clues: Agricultural Machinery - PTO Hazards

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Every year there are thousands of debilitating injuries and deaths on farms. Many of these are related to power take-off's (PTO's). PTO shafts are used to power various farming implements, from mowers, hay balers, augers, and many other types of farming machinery. The PTO shaft was invented in the 1930's. The PTO shaft is essentially a shaft powered by the tractor engine that rotates at high speeds, providing power for a wide array of implements. While this provides a convenient source of power to drive farm implements, serious accidents can occur due to entanglement in PTO's. PTO's must be properly equipped with guards including master shields which covers the stub shaft and universal joint. These shields prevent inadvertent contact with the rotating machinery. Contact with unshielded rotating PTO parts can instantly pull a person into the PTO, causing catastrophic damage.

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5/7/2015 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Climbing Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Rock and ice climbing have become increasingly popular in recent years. Climbing is now a popular form of exercise and adventure, and a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately the greater numbers involved in the sport has led to greater number of accidents. Climbing gyms have brought climbing to areas without outdoor rock resources. These indoor gyms use artificial holds to simulate rock walls. Indoor climbing gyms typically have climbs ranging from twenty feet to fifty feet, or more. Bouldering areas are shorter in height, with adequate padding to protect climbers from falls without the need for ropes.

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4/7/2015 · Product Liability

Forensic Clues: Failure to Maintain

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

While many accidents involving products are the result of a product defect that leads to injury of the product user, accidents can also be the result of a failure caused by lack of maintenance or inspection. This issue of Clues will examine the theory behind failure to maintain accidents, as well as provide examples of common accidents that are due to a lack of maintenance.

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3/3/2015 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Material Science and Accident Reconstruction

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Material science is a broad field that has applications in numerous fields. In product injury cases, material science can help identify defects, determine causes of accidents, determine failure modes, and identify inconsistent manufacturing processes.

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1/21/2015 · Product Liability

Forensic Clues: Products and Child Safety

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

No one likes to see children get hurt, especially when it could be prevented. Poor design, manufacturing defects, material defects, assembly errors, and the lack of a hazard analysis can result in hazardous products that injure people. Many products are put in stores that may have never been looked at by a design engineer and/or a safety specialist.

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12/10/2014 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Fishing and Boating Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Fishing and boating accidents result in thousands of injuries each year. The U.S. Coast Guard reported 3331 injuries and 709 fatalities due to boating accidents on both recreational and commercial vessels. There are many causes for these accidents, including collisions with objects or other vessels, drowning, electrical and mechanical failures, interaction with unguarded machinery, and others. There are various acts and laws that govern accidents at sea. This issue of Forensic Clues will examine some of the preventable accidents caused by defective machinery and equipment that occur at sea, and a brief overview of the laws and regulations affecting product liability litigation related to maritime accidents.

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11/4/2014 · Accident Prevention & Safety

Forensic Clues: Paintball Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Paintball is a fun activity for all ages, and can be a safe sport if proper precautions are made. Serious eye injury can occur if a paintball impacts the eyeball, making goggles and facemask a requisite part of paintball. Accidents happen in backyard paintball games most frequently, but also at commercial paintball operations. This Clues will examine the typical preventable paintball accidents, as well as examine product failures that can lead to accidents while playing paintball.

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9/24/2014 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Accident Reconstruction

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Accident reconstruction involves attempting to determine the sequence of events of an accident and is a crucial part of product liability cases. Understanding exactly what occurred in an accident gives an engineer the best chance of preventing the accident from occurring again. Often there is limited information to base conclusions on what really happened in an accident. Understanding what goes into accident reconstruction will help attorneys understand what information is crucial to this process. Witness testimony is unreliable at best but must be analyzed and cross referenced with the other available information.

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8/21/2014 · Accident Prevention & Safety

Forensic Clues: Lawnmower Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Lawnmowers cause over 50,000 emergency-room visits every year, based on NEISS data on consumer product injuries. These injuries are distributed evenly between ride-on and walk-behind style mowers. The necessary cutting action of a mower results in an inherent hazard, until technology is developed that can cut grass but not living tissue. While various safety advances over the years have reduced the amount of injuries, the extremely high number of accidents related to mowers that continue to occur show the need for further enhancement of product safety.

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7/17/2014 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Machine Guarding Accidents - Who is Responsible?

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Machine guarding accidents cause many accidents and fatalities every year, despite the availability of modern safety technology. In the years from 1992-1996, one study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported annual injuries due to workers being caught in machinery of 34,350. In 2012 contact with an object or equipment had the second highest workplace fatality rate at 712 deaths.

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6/10/2014 · OSHA

Machine Guarding-Employer or Manufacturer Responsibility?

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

OSHA was created through the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. OSHA's mission is to ensure worker safety by creating and enforcing safety and health standards. OSHA does many good things to help maintain a safe workplace, but manufacturers often try to hide behind the shield of OSHA, putting blame on an employer for unsafe machinery or working conditions, when often the machinery was never safe to begin with. Some standards promote safety and some standards protect the manufacturer from product liability law suits. Most industrial standards are voluntary, unless they are specifically referenced in a Code of Federal Regulations / OSHA standard. OSHA standards are Federally mandated and are enforced by the Federal government.

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5/7/2014 · Hazardous Materials

Stored Energy Hazards and Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Stored energy is accumulated energy, which can release suddenly, potentially causing serious injury or death. Stored energy has many forms, including pressurized gases and liquids, stored mechanical energy, stored electrical energy, and gravitational potential energy. Stored energy is particularly dangerous because the hazard still exists when the original source of energy is removed. This issue of Clues will explain the various forms of hazardous stored energy, how these energies can cause damage or injuries, and how to prevent stored energy accidents.

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4/7/2014 · Product Liability

Advances in Table Saw Safeguarding-Saw Stop

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Table saw accidents occur frequently, often resulting in serious accidents when the operator comes in contact with the saw blade. The difficulties in guarding table saw blades with conventional guarding techniques often leads to ineffective guards that are removed by saw operators due to their lack of function and flexibility.

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2/26/2014 · Failure Analysis

Forensic Clues: Elderly Mobility Aids

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

A significant number of elderly persons experience falls every year. In 2010, 2.3 million nonfatal fall injuries involving elderly people were treated in emergency rooms around the country. In the same year, 21,700 elderly people died as the result of unintentional falls. Falls for elderly people are extremely hazardous as they may not recover from fractures and other injuries.

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1/22/2014 · Product Liability

Forensic Clues: How to Survive in a Hostile Tort Reform Market

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Product Liability Reform has affected many attorneys, consumers, and experts negatively while failing in its goal of greater American competitiveness. This issue of Forensic Clues is dedicated to addressing the problems of tort reform, how this affects you, and what you as an attorney can do to reduce your costs and increase your chances of a successful product liability case, assuming that the case involves a legitimate product defect.

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12/13/2013 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Skiing and Snowboarding Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

A recent failure of a ski lift in Wisconsin has received much media attention. While accidents such as these are rare, they do occur. Much more frequent are accidents involving collisions with other people or objects. This issue of Forensic Clues will examine the types of accidents that occur on the mountains.

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11/11/2013 · Failure Analysis

Forensic Clues: Powered Winch Accidents

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Powered winches are in use in a variety of applications, some of the most common include vehicle-mounted electric winches, marine vessel winches, marine recovery winches, industrial winches and chain hoists. Accidents occur in all types of winch uses.

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10/15/2013 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: All-Terrain Vehicles

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Between 1982 and 1996, 2,795 people died riding all-terrain vehicles, ATV's. This was found in a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Over thirty percent of the riders killed were under the age of sixteen.

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9/26/2013 · Failure Analysis

Forensic Clues: Seat Belt Failure

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

In 2007, an estimated 15,147 lives were saved from seat belt use. Seat belts save five times more lives than airbags, according to statistics released by NHTSA. Seat belt use has increased over the years, due to cultural trends, and possibly due to the enactment of seat belt use laws. Seat belt systems do not always function as predicted. Seat belt systems can fail during a collision, often resulting in serious injury or death to the vehicle occupant.

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8/26/2013 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Tractor Accidents and Rollover Protective Structures

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Farming is a dangerous occupation. Tractor rollover accidents have been killing people since the 1920's. In 1990, the National Safety Council estimated 460 people were killed while operating tractors. Tractor rollover caused 239 of these fatalities. Another estimate suggests a more conservative number of annual fatalities - 132, that are the result of tractor rollover accidents. In a four-year period in Pennsylvania alone, 72 people died as a result of tractor rollover accidents.

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8/9/2013 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Crash Data Retrieval - Modern Methods of Determining Crash Severity

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Automobile collisions result in damage to property and injuries to people. Compensation is sought through insurance claims, law suits, and product liability claims. Knowing when injuries are more or less severe than is warranted by the damage level involved in the collision is important information. This can help people involved on both sides of litigation or settlements.

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7/23/2013 · Warnings & Labels

Forensic Clues: Product Hazard Warnings

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Warning labels are an indelible part of our society. Warning labels are everywhere - on our food, on our drinks, on our sweeteners, on our cars, on our tools, on our cigarettes. As consumers we are constantly barraged with multitudes of warnings, cautions, don't do this's, don't do that's.

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7/3/2013 · Failure Analysis

Forensic Clues: Fiberglass Failure

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Safety Engineering Resources has had the opportunity to learn a great deal about using fiberglass in structural applications, which are simply applications that must support some sort of load. Using fiberglass as a structural material was brought about by the advances made by organic chemists in recent decades in the field of plastics.

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6/14/2013 · Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Forensic Clues: Forklifts

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that approximately 95,000 injuries occur each year due to forklifts.

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5/14/2013 · Failure Analysis

Forensic Clues: Rear-End Collisions and Automobile Seat Failure

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Two and a half million rear-end collisions occur every year. Rear-end collisions are usually caused by driver inattentiveness.

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4/2/2013 · Failure Analysis

Forensic Clues: Structural Failures

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Structural failures of buildings range from catastrophic building failures involving mass loss of life and/or property to structural problems such as sagging floors or ceilings, leaning walls, cracking or sinking foundations.

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2/28/2013 · Accident Prevention & Safety

Forensic Clues: Golf Carts

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Golf cart accident frequency has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. A study by Watson, Mehan, Smith, and McKenzie (Golf Cart-Related Injuries in the U.S., American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 2008) of NEISS data found 147,696 people were treated in emergency rooms for golf cart accidents between 1990 and 2006.

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12/27/2012 · Engineering

Forensic Clues: Is This a Valid Defective Product Case?

By: John Ryan, BSME, PE

Knowing when a personal injury case is due to the action or inaction of another party, or when responsibility falls fully on the injured party, can be a difficult distinction to make. At Mechanical and Safety Engineering, we have been investigating personal injury cases for decades.

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BACKGROUND:

35+ years' experience in product design, product development, and manufacturing in consumer, medical, and industrial product markets. Product innovation part-time academic since 2009. Certified New Product Development Professional (NPDP) since 2008 by the Product Development and Management Association. Member of: Society of Plastics Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, American Society for Quality. Expert witness services to Product Liability, Intellectual Property, and Commercial Dispute litigators.

PLAINTIFF COUNSEL RETAINED:

Expert witness in 3M Combat Arms earplug case, retained by two plaintiff law firms. More at, https://bit.ly/Forbes-on-3M Daubert ruling at, https://bit.ly/EPR-3MEP-Daubert (Page 98). Two depositions.

Expert Witness in furniture injury case, settled after my deposition. N95 mask commercial dispute case, report submitted 5/2024.

DEFENSE COUNSEL RETAINED:

Furniture injury case. Review of the state of competitive product safety, mechanisms, warnings. Defense counsel represented major insurance company.

PATENT INFRINGEMENT:

Support to IP litigators looking for design alternatives, product tear downs, and competitive product reviews. Case completed in electromechanical automotive accessory related product category.

MORE INFO AT:

Expert witness services offered can be seen at, https://bit.ly/PDEWS Preferred contact: eric@pinnaclepi.com

Content above is a selection of work. Expert witness testimonials at, https://bit.ly/EPR-EWT

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5/23/2025 · Product Liability

Managing NPD Project Tradeoffs

By: Eric P. Rose, NPDP, MBA

The NPD Project PentagonTM offers those involved in bringing new products to market who face numerous tradeoffs a way to frame their decisions. While this is a binary view, and often reality is highly multivariate, it still offers a useful tool in managing the inevitable NPD project tradeoffs. On your next NPD project, consider how the NPD Project PentagonTM would help in better managing your projects' tradeoffs.

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Quality Forensic Engineering, LLC is a full-service forensic engineering firm, providing engineering support to clients in the areas of accident reconstruction, biomechanics, fire investigations, patent litigation analysis, premises liability, product liability, and tire failure analysis. We use the latest technology and industry proven techniques to provide thorough analysis and conclusions for the most difficult engineering questions. Our forensic engineers support clients throughout the U.S. Headquartered in Tallahassee, FL, we have locations in Jacksonville, FL; Melbourne, FL; Tampa, FL; Indianapolis, IN; New Orleans, LA; San Diego, CA; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; and Tucson, AZ.

Dr. Brian Pfeifer, PhD, PE - Dr. Pfeifer is an Engineering Expert with over 27 years of experience investigating thousands of cases involving a variety of forensic engineering issues. He is a leading expert in accident reconstruction, roadside safety, maintenance of traffic, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and the analysis of mechanical systems and product failures. Dr. Pfeifer has a strong background in the design, development, and implementation of roadside safety hardware including guardrails, bridge rails, and crash cushions. Over 30 patents have been filed worldwide on behalf of Dr. Pfeifer and associated colleagues who invented safer guardrail systems, vehicle storage systems, shipping container handling systems, and material handling and storage methods. He has also utilized his technical knowledge and understanding of patents to assist in a number of matters involving patent litigation.

Dr. Pfeifer has published numerous papers to various organizations, covering topics such as new guardrail systems, energy absorbing guardrail terminals, breakaway sign mechanisms, and material handling technology. He has shared his expertise with many organizations on topics including vehicle collisions, bicycle accidents, roadway construction zones, and accident reconstruction expert witness utilization. Dr. Pfeifer is a registered Professional Engineer in nine states and he continues to refine his skills and knowledge of accident reconstruction and roadside safety by staying current with new technology and best practices. Dr. Pfeifer has extensive experience with providing deposition and trial testimony as an Engineering Expert. See Full Bio & CV.

Expertise:

Automobile Collisions
Tractor-Trailer Collisions
Guardrails / Bridge Rails
Construction Zones
Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Occupant Kinematics

Roadside Safety
Airbag Control Module (ACM) Analysis
Tractor Trailer Electronic Control Module (ECM) Analysis
Product Failure Analysis
Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Evaluation
Restraint System Analysis
Patent Litigation Technical Analysis

Dr. Ian M. Zeller, PhD, ACTAR, is an accomplished engineer with more than 10 years of experience in Biomechanics and Computational Dynamics fields. He has investigated hundreds of cases ranging from motor vehicle accidents, recreational incidents, medical device designs, as well as injuries from product liability all across the United States.

Dr. Zeller has graduate level experience in computational dynamics and orthopedic biomechanics with a specific emphasis in dynamics, vibrations, joint contact mechanics, and muscle control during static and dynamic loading applications. Dr. Zeller’s past research includes clinical and computational analysis of the human body with respect to the design and implantation of orthopedic devices for the knee, hip, and spine. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented research at both technical and surgical conferences in North America, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Zeller also worked with surgeons across the United States in the design and assessment of knee replacement devices, including personalized and prototype devices to optimize for efficacy and safety.

Dr. Zeller is also accredited as a traffic accident reconstructionist and continues to conduct research as well as maintain a current knowledge of developing trends and best practices in the biomechanics and engineering fields. Dr. Zeller has published to various organizations on topics ranging from knee replacement design, forward solution modeling, joint mechanics, personalized joint replacements, material structures and properties as well as biological modeling of disease distributions. He also has an extensive testifying history including depositions, trials, and arbitrations.

See Full Bio & CV.

Expertise:

Biomechanical Analysis
Accident Reconstruction
Injury Consistency
Mechanism of Injury Analysis
Vehicle Occupant Kinematics
Falling Object Mechanics and Analysis
Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Amusement Park and Playground Accidents
Crash Data Retrieval and Analysis

Product Failure Analysis
Seat Belt Analysis
Restraint System
Occupant Position Determination
Sequential Events Analysis
Speed Analysis
Vehicle Damage Consistency
Collision Avoidance
Material Fracture Analysis

Michael R. Hill, PhD, PE, is a Biomechanical Engineer passionate about applying biomechanics techniques to solve diverse problems in forensics, medical research, engineering, biology, science, and mathematics. He is an expert in experimental, theoretical, and computational Tissue Biomechanics, with a focus on injury mechanisms, human tissue damage, and nonlinear soft tissue mechanics.

Dr. Hill’s core strengths are in orthopedic and cardiovascular biomechanics, vehicle accident reconstruction, injury consistency analysis, mechanical design, instrumentation, experimental analysis, numerical methods, simulation, statistics, and image processing. Dr. Hill has lectured in the field of biomechanics and numerical methods, and his research has been published in 16 academic articles and presented at 40 international and national scientific conferences.

See Full Bio & CV.

Expertise:

Vehicle Accident Reconstruction
Occupant Kinematics
Orthopedic and Cardiovascular Biomechanics
Human Tissue Damage Mechanics
Slip, Trip, and Fall Analysis
Injury Consistency Analysis
Statistics

Computational Mechanics
Experimental Biomechanics
Image Analysis
Mechanical Design
Event Date Recorder (EDR) Data Retrieval and Analysis
Automobile Restraint Analysis
Numerical Methods

View Quality Forensic Engineering's Industrial Forensic Engineering Expert Witness Profile.

• View Dr. Michael Hill's Curriculum Vitae

• View Dr. Brian Pfeifer's Curriculum Vitae

• View Dr. Ian Zeller's Curriculum Vitae

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R. Kevin Smith PE, BSME, MMAE, has been a specialist in Engineering Forensic Safety and Design for 35 years. He has consulted on over a 1,000 matters nationwide. Mr. Smith is a registered professional engineer and holds a BSME and MMAE from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He is board certified forensic engineer through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. He specializes in Material Handling Equipment Safety, including lift trucks, dock safety, truck loading, conveyors, and aerial work platform safety.

Mr. has been actively involved as a member of the committee that writes the Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks (ASME/ANSI B56.1) for over 30 years. He also serves on the B56.6 committee (rough terrain lift trucks) and the ANSI A92.5 and A92.6 subcommittees (self-propelled elevating work platforms).

Litigation Support - Mr. Smith formerly worked for Triodyne, Inc. for over 15 years as a forensic engineer/principal engineer. As President of R. K. Smith Engineering Inc., for over 25 years, he currently has a laboratory for examination and testing,and owns or has access to varied testing equipment and tools.He has testified at depositions and trials on several hundred matters. Mr. Smith has performed hundreds of investigations into product failures involving injury and property damage, and has reconstructed numerous accidents. His expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant. Mr. Smith also was previously on the Adjunct Math faculty at Prairie State College for 13 years.

Areas of Expertise:

Forklift Trucks
Aerial Work Platform Lifts
Product Testing
Material Handling / Lifting / Rigging Equipment
Accident Reconstruction
Machine Guarding
Safeguarding
Warnings

Agricultural and Construction Equipment
Skid Steer Loaders
Stability Testing
Loading Dock Safety
Consumer Products / Testing
OSHA Citations
Codes & Standards
Standard of Care in Design

View R. Kevin Smith's Consulting Profile.

• R. Kevin Smith's Curriculum Vitae

• Animations Videos

• LinkedIn Profile

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Expert Background: Dr. Thomas L. Read is the Principal and CEO at A. Read Consulting, LLC. He received his PhD. from Stanford University in 1972 and has over 25 years of manufacturing experience in electronics, metallurgy, factory safety, failure analysis, glass fracture, glass failure and bottle failure. As a member of the electronics industry, he has earned process patents and has an extensive background in manufacturing techniques.

In parallel, Dr. Read has spent over twenty five years as a consultant to attorneys and engineers. He has given more than 100 depositions and has appeared in court numerous times.

Company Profile: Read Consulting, LLC is a full service laboratory providing services in the following areas:

Failure Analysis; Factory Safety and Personal Injury (including machine guards and manufacturing safety)

Glass Failure Analysis - Glass Fracture, Glass Failures and Bottle Failure

Metal and Ceramic Failure

Grinding Wheel Failures

Intellectual Property and Patent Disputes

Product Liability and Product Quality

Manufacturing Disagreements (such as Intellectual Property, Failed equipment and Contract Disputes)

Reverse Engineering

• Read Process Expertise Services Available

• Read Consulting Failure Analysis Blog

• View Publications by Thomas Read

• Video of Tempered Glass Failure

12/20/2023 · Failure Analysis

Soda Bottle Failure Analysis

By: Dr. Thomas Read

California materials failure laboratory, Read Consulting Failure Analysis Laboratory was engaged to determine the cause of failure of a 12 oz soda bottle. This bottle was said to have exploded and caused injury to a person. The bottle was said to have spontaneously exploded as the was being pushed into a cooler filled with ice.

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2/17/2023 · Failure Analysis

Design Defect Failure Analysis of Water Shut Off Valve

By: Dr. Thomas Read

When this type of valve is open a rubber seal around the valve stem prevents leaking. In this case, the poly acetate stem deteriorated due to the presence of hot chlorinated water This allowed water to leak out. Over time the leak rate increased.

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10/24/2022 · Failure Analysis

Titanium Surgical Screws Failure Analysis

By: Dr. Thomas Read

Read Consulting Failure Analysis Laboratory was engaged to determine the cause of failure of two titanium surgical screws used in corrective back surgery. These were both 6.5 mm diameter, 40mm long screws that were surgically implanted. in a patient, and they subsequently failed.

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4/20/2022 · Failure Analysis

Glass Coffee Pot Failure Analysis: Thermal Shock Failure Of Borosilicate Glass Coffee Carafe

By: Dr. Thomas Read

The fatigue failure initiated on the outside bottom where the carafe had been scratched with the abrasive scrub pad. As a result of cyclical thermal shock (between 195°C and 15°C), the cracks grew progressively till it reached a critical length. Glass thickness at the origins is approximately 3 mm. One failed after 12.

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4/12/2021 · Failure Analysis

Glass Failure Analysis: Glass Oven Dish Failure

By: Dr. Thomas Read

The annealed borosilicate glass pie plate failed as a result of “thermal shock”. There were multiple origins for the failure, and these all initiated at damage sites on the bottom of the Pyrex baking dish. It appears that the bottom of the pie plate was convex. Thus, setting the dish down and moving it on hard (abrasive) surfaces such as tile or granite counters created bottom “rim” damage.

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9/6/2017 · Failure Analysis

Liquid Impact Glass Failure Analysis

By: Dr. Thomas Read

As "water hammer" (i.e. liquid impact) has the potential to cause glass bottle failure, Read Consulting LLC created two such failures to study the resulting fracture surface details.

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4/23/2015 · Failure Analysis

Weld Failure Analysis: Chair Failure Due to Inadequate Weld

By: Dr. Thomas Read

Read Consulting was asked to determine why a welded chair failed and caused injury to the person sitting in it.

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2/3/2014 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis: Manufacturing Engineer Examines the Root Cause of Automobile Rear View Mirror Failures

By: Dr. Thomas Read

The root cause of the failure of customer returns of heated automobile rear view mirrors was investigated.

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8/7/2012 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis: Metal Fatigue of Automatic Machinery - Wafer Test Station

By: Dr. Thomas Read

During normal operation, the arm on an automatic wafer test station failed. Root cause failure analysis determined that the drive shaft on the right angle gear motor used to raise and lower the manipulator arm had failed first.

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5/21/2012 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis: Product Liability & Personal Injury Involving a Broken Grinding Wheel

By: Dr. Thomas Read

This grinding wheel was part of a product liability and personnel injury case. It was claimed that the subject wheel had unexpectedly failed (i.e. flown apart) and an escaping piece had hit the plaintiff in the face causing serious injuries. According to the user, the grinder with the wheel was purchased approximately one hour before the grinding wheel failure.

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3/29/2012 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis: Collapse of Plastic Chair

By: Dr. Thomas Read

A failed plastic lawn chair was examined to determine the cause of failure. This chair failed on the premises of a restaurant In this study the subject chair is examined and compared to several exemplar purchased at the same time. The objective of this study is to determine the cause of failure.

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11/8/2011 · Failure Analysis

Root Cause Failure Analysis of Tempered Glass Door

By: Dr. Thomas Read

Glass Failure Analysis Expert Witness performs a failure analysis of a several tempered glass doors that had "spontaneously" failed at a construction site. The objective of this glass failure analysis is to determine the cause of failure and make recommendations to the contractor.

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8/30/2011 · Failure Analysis

Metal Failure Analysis: Metal Food Contaminant Failure Analysis

By: Dr. Thomas Read

Materials failure analysis expert performs a failure analysis to determine the source of a metal piece found in tomato product.

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5/17/2011 · Failure Analysis

Plumbing Failure Analysis: Stress Corrosion Cracking of Yellow Brass

By: Dr. Thomas Read

A plumbing failure analysis was performed to determine why a cold water supply line to a bathroom sink had failed after only one year of service.

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4/1/2011 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis of a "Exploding" Beer Bottle: Product Defect, Product Liability

By: Dr. Thomas Read

A glass failure expert witness performs a root cause failure analysis on an exploding beer bottle. The object of this root cause failure analysis is to determine the cause of the bottle failure.

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7/7/2009 · Design

White Paper: Reverse Engineering

By: Dr. Thomas Read

Before expending the effort necessary to reverse engineer a device or object, it must be definite that the object under study is not covered by one or more patents. This avoids a dispute over patent violations. Once it has been established that no patent coverage exists, one can use multiple techniques to reverse engineer a product. These are summarized below:

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7/7/2009 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis of a Failed Ceramic Water Holding Tank on a Toilet

By: Dr. Thomas Read

The cracked tank was first inspected in the "as received" condition. In this condition it was cracked, but it was still whole. Next, the failed tank was separated by pulling it apart. This was done to expose the fracture surfaces of the main crack. This allowed for a complete failure analysis and for a determination of where the crack initiated.

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7/7/2009 · Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis of a Broken Jam Jar

By: Dr. Thomas Read

Glass fractography is the most effective method for determining why a glass object, such as a bottle, failed. This technique consists of examining the fracture surfaces of the failure for artifacts such as Wallner lines and using them to trace the crack back to its origin. Once the origin has been identified, it can be examined in detail with a microscope to determine the cause of the failure.

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1/28/2006 · Failure Analysis

Wine Bottle Failure Analysis

By: Dr. Thomas Read

Note: Glass Fractography is the most effective method for determining why a glass object, such as a bottle, failed. This technique consists of examining the fracture surfaces of the failure for artifacts such as Wallner lines and using them to trace the crack back to its origin

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Operating from more than 110+ offices around the globe, we provide services to corporations, insurance companies, law firms, and government agencies.

Rimkus Life Sciences experts have a wealth of specialized expertise to help clients comprehend and improve how humans interact with their facilities, products, and systems.

Our experts offer significant professional experience related to studying and understanding human behavior and experience. Our experts have extensive knowledge involving but not limited to human health and medical devices, warnings and signage, perception and reaction, medicine and patient care, and health and sports activity.

The scientists, engineers, and researchers in Rimkus Life Sciences specialize in human based research to support product design and development, product validation, and development of instructions and warnings for use. Our experts work with clients across the globe in every major product sector. They understand how to leverage rigorous research and thoughtful analysis with creative problem solving to support the development of products.

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Christopher M. Daft, PhD, is an award winning, Oxford Educated scientist whose areas of expertise include medical imaging, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, medical devices, sensors, MEMS, signal processing, and image processing. He holds 23 United States Patents with 20 applications pending, Dr. Daft has diverse industry experience including multi-nationals such as GE, Medtronic, Fujifilm, Samsung, and Siemens as well as several start-ups.

He has testified at trial 5 times and been deposed 14 times.

Dr. Daft has been an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Senior Member since 2004. He has three years of experience teaching electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Daft holds a BA and MA in Physics from Oxford University as well as Doctorate from Oxford in Materials Science.

Litigation Support - Dr. Daft provides litigation support in the areas of Intellectual Property and Medical Devices including Imaging, particularly Medical, Patents, and more. His experience includes a variety of cases in the areas of wearable electronics, imaging systems, and surgical technology. Dr. Daft has extensive deposition and trial testimony experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Design Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electromagnetic Engineering
Microelectronics
Medical Imaging
Electronics
Semiconductors

Medical Devices
Sensors
Software Engineering
MEMS
Signal Processing
Image Processing
Physics

View Dr. Christopher Daft's Consulting Profile.

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More than 40 years experience: defective packaging; unreasonably dangerous products; failure-to-warn; materials-handling; warehousing; cargo loading and securement; falling cargo; insurance claims for loss or damaged cargo; falling merchandise; patent infringement; trade-dress infringement. Has testified in state and federal courts and knows how to connect with a jury. Has worked for Plaintiffs and Defendants. Services: consulting; analysis; cite inspections; exemplar testing; opining; report writing; testifying. Long list of attorney references. Self-employed consultant. Former employee at Fortune 100 firms. Former university instructor. Many published articles and speaking engagements. Knows how to combine theory and practice.

7/31/2010 · Product Liability

How Attorneys Should Choose Crate Experts

By: Sterling Anthony

An attorney involved with crate litigation might readily recognize the need for a packaging expert, yet, not be sufficiently aware of the specific knowledge and capabilities that best qualify that expert.

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8/20/2007 · Product Liability

Packaging and Product Liability

By: Sterling Anthony

A more appropriate term would be packaged product liability, because a packaged product consists of product + package, and either component (or both) can incur allegations of negligence, strict liability, and failure to warn

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Thomas W. Caldwell, PE, has over 40 years of experience in Materials Research and Development, Process and Product Development, and Manufacturing Operations in the Precision Cast and Machined Products industry.

Mr. Caldwell has designed and manufactured components for consumer and industrial products, including safety-critical applications such as aircraft landing gear brakes, seat belt lockup devices, windshield wiper, and window lift motor systems. He has experience creating and guiding technology development and manufacturing partnerships in Europe and Asia, licensing and selling intellectual property and creating supply chains in China.

Mr. Caldwell has lectured in the USA, Germany, Switzerland, and India on manufacturing premium quality metal products and manufacturing processes, and was a technical paper peer reviewer for 20 years for the Society of Automotive Engineers. A United States patent holder, he has published peer reviewed research in electrochemistry and materials processing, and has written and spoken numerous times on the subject of Materials Selection.

Litigation Support - Thomas W. Caldwell, PE, is a testifying and consulting expert for both plaintiff and defense counsel. His cases involve product failure for ferrous and non-ferrous alloy products such as hand tools, recreational and exercise equipment, fire fighting apparatus, rotating industrial machinery, construction hardware, piping, and lighting fixtures. Mr. Caldwell utilizes destructive and non-destructive methods for insuring product integrity.

Areas of Expertise:

Design Engineering
Materials Failure Analysis
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Metallurgy
Power Tools
Products Liability
Design Defects

Manufacturing Defects

Fitness for Use

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

Accident Reconstruction

Material Selection

Manufacturing Process Design and Scale Up

Safety Component Product Quality Control

Safety Component Quality Systems Management

View Thomas A. Caldwell's Consulting Profile.

• CV Available Upon Request

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Steven S. Paul, the owner of TDT, is a Mechanic and Automobile Expert responsible for all aspects of the business including marketing, operations, and accounting as well as customer service. He has over 25 years of experience in automotive service, heavy equipment maintenance, and inspection services.

Mr. Paul is ASE Master Certified in both Automotive and Medium / HD Trucks including engines performance, electrical, driveline, brakes, steering, and suspension as well as safety-related systems. He has inspected over 2,500 vehicles since 2005 ranging from Model T Fords to 2021 BMW & Mercedes. He is qualified to inspect HD Semi Trucks and Construction Equipment as well as RV, Motorhomes, and Campers. Mr. Paul also has inspection experience with Exotic & Luxury High-End Cars as well as Boats and Watercraft. automobile, medium-duty, and heavy-duty truck repair and inspection as well as heavy equipment such as construction and agriculture equipment.

Litigation Support - Mr. Paul is a Certified Vehicle Appraiser and can provide opinions of value based on fair market value, diminished value, and replacement values in accordance with USPAP. He has been court qualified as an expert vehicle inspector in multiple states as well as federal court.

Mr. Paul has provided over 500 expert witness reports, provided over 30 depositions, and testified in court over 10 times. He is willing to travel to all 50 states. He has experience in:

Lemon Law - Misrepresentation and Dealer Operations - Lease Return Inspections - Vehicle Condition Reports

Areas of Expertise:

New Car
Used Car
Classic Cars
Exotic Cars
Luxury Cars
Motor Homes
Coaches

Heavy Duty Trucks
Semi Trucks
Semi Trailers
Heavy Duty Equipment
Construction Equipment
Farm Implements
Farm Equipment

• Steven S. Paul's Curriculum Vitae

• Expert Witness Services

• Inspection Services

• Appraisal Services

• Testimonials

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Henry W. Stormer, IAAI-CFI(V), CFPS, is the President / National Manager for VERTEX FIRE INVESTIGATIONS LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The VERTEX COMPANIES LLC. His responsibilities include management of a forensic fire investigation team conducting Fire Origin and Cause Investigations nationwide for the insurance industry.

Mr. Stormer has over 37 years of experience investigating in excess of 2,300 fires and explosions both in the public (25 years) and private sectors (12 years). He is a Certified Fire Investigator through the IAAI and a Certified Public Fire and Life Safety Instructor, with both certifications recognized by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications. He is also a Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the NFPA.

Litigation Support - Mr. Stormer has served as an expert witness and is actively engaged in several legal cases related to property damage, product liability, personal injury, and criminal activity. Mr. Stormer's legal support activities have included depositions, interrogatories, mediation, arbitration, and trial testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

Fire Origin and Cause
Explosions
Incendiary Fires
Product Liability
Household Appliances / Hood Systems / Dryers
Photovoltaic Arrays and Battery Storage Systems
Large and Complex Fire Scenes

Vehicle Fire Investigations
Subrogation
Failure Analysis
Evidence Collection and Preservation
Fire Code Analysis and Research
Crime Scene Investigations
Arson Investigations

Mr. Stormer is currently licensed as a Private Investigator, Manager in: AL, CT, DE, FL, IN, KY, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, SC, TX, VT, WV with reciprocal licensing in: AL, CA, GA, LA, NC, TN and VA.

• Henry W. Stormer's Curriculum Vitae