Category: Accident Analysis / Reconstruction, Chemicals / Toxic Substances, Construction, Personal Injury, Safety Hidden Hazards of Confined Space TASA ID: 3404 Frequent headlines in breaking news stories convey the tragic results of yet another confined space fatality accident. With fatality statistics indicating that more than 60 percent of rescues in confined spaces result in a workplace fatality. Since most of these cases are fully preventable, sadly they involve local firefighters responding to trapped workers injured on the job. A common misunderstanding many people share is that local firefighters respond to emergencies fully equipped as technical rescuers. Having experience in structural fire control or vehicle emergency response doesn’t necessarily qualify one as a technical rescuer. Comprehensive training, practical experience, and a working knowledge can adequately prepare responders to engage as rescue professionals, not before. Read more
Category: Construction, Engineering, Personal Injury, Property Damage, Safety Electrical Equipment Failures Cause and Liability TASA ID: 419 Many insurance claims and lawsuits are the result of electrical system failures. The basis for such actions is frequently personal injury and/or property damage that can be caused by fire or other degradation of related systems, vehicles or structures. It will be shown that electrical systems can have high inherent reliability to minimize end-product field service costs, safety hazards and, of course, liability. Failures of electrical systems are most frequently due to external factors such as poor design, improper use, faulty manufacturing, substandard service, mishandling and other causes. System malfunctions are rarely caused by random component failures and a properly executed failure analysis will almost always identify an entity liable for resultant damages. Read more
Category: Automotive/Trucking, Construction, Engineering, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Resources for Experts, Safety, Transportation Preservation of Weld Fractures for Evidence Evaluation TASA ID: 1850 Sometimes when a weld fractures, it may result in personal injury, property damage or even a fatality. If litigation is the result of a weld fracture, it is important to retain and preserve the weld and the fractured weld surfaces for evaluation by the experts. Read more
Category: Personal Injury, Safety Judge the Deed (and, more importantly, what lead up to it), Not the Breed TASA ID: 2287 Calls often come in asking me to opine on the inherent dangerous nature of certain breeds (i.e., American Pit Bull Terrier or Rottweiler). Attorneys are often both surprised and annoyed when I tell them, “No.” Instead, I advise looking into the stewardship of the dog, whereupon neglect is usually found. Lack of responsibility towards a dog’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being, possibly combined with a dog’s inherent breed tendencies, are always the true culprit in dog bite cases. Read more
