Product Liability

Our Product Liability Group includes Mechanical, Materials, and Electrical Engineers supported by our Warnings and Human Factors experts. These experts have designed, manufactured, tested, and repaired a wide variety of consumer, industrial, agricultural, recreational, construction, food service, and medical products. Common products include: household appliances; children’s products and toys; machinery (design, guard, warn); refrigeration and freezer systems; forklifts, man lifts, cranes, conveyors; hoists, trolleys, chains; ladders, stepstools, tables; scaffolds, tree-stands; shelving, racks, displays; bicycles, strollers; furniture, chairs; elevators, escalators; clothing; power tools, yard equipment; boats, ski jets, snowmobiles; tents; sports and recreational equipment; playground and amusement park equipment; automatic and manual doors; agricultural equipment.

First NameLast NameTitleCV Abstract
PaulAlbanese, ASGCAGolf Course Design Management ExpertGolf course design, construction, management, operations, and maintenance; resort master plans; clubhouse planning; residential planning; public park planning; practice facilities; ski mountainside design; maintenance crew management; mowing operations; permitting and financing; turfgrass science; landscape architecture; golf course grading and draining; brownfield design.
Douglas B.Baumgarten, CHFD, CMES, CPESExercise & Fitness ExpertRecreational facility design, operation, and maintenance; exercise equipment; codes and standards; sports risk management; incident reconstruction; warnings liability; supervision liability; standard of care liability; personal coaching/training; fitness testing; instructor training.
MikeBaumgartnerTent ExpertTent layout, installation, repair, maintenance, inspection, and tear-down; tent technology trainer including usage during adverse weather conditions; tent operations for sizes ranging up to approximately 10,000 square feet.
Gregory L.Boso, PECivil EngineerPotable water, wastewater, and storm water; culverts; landslides; foundations; hydrologic and hydraulic analyses; flood plain management; water collection, pumping, treatment, distribution, and storage; residential, commercial, and industrial site development; blasting; transportation engineering; building construction; building code administration and enforcement; building inspections; trusses and sheathing; fences; hazardous materials; construction project resident engineering; fire fighting and training; emergency vehicle operation.
Cheryl AnnCarlsonDog ExpertDog behavior, standard-of-care, and temperament; attacks and bites; police K-9, including drugs and explosives detection training; breeding, training, and boarding; protection and security; certification and judging; emergency medical services.
Timothy J.Dickson, PE, SECivil/Structural EngineerCivil/structural engineering; field investigations; laboratory studies; commercial and residential buildings and bridges constructed of reinforced concrete (conventional, pre-stressed and post-tensioned), structural steel, masonry and timber; foundation underpinning systems; earth retention systems using soil nail walls, segmental retaining walls and sheet piles; structural failures/collapses; water infiltration; roofing failures; building façade evaluations; work zone safety; windows, doors, floors, stairs, and ramps; fire, wind, ice, and snow damage; professional liability claims; preparation of construction documents; evaluation of field test-data; property loss; construction defects; natural gas explosion damage; building settlement; deteriorated concrete and masonry; building rehabilitation and renovation; high wind, tornado, and blizzard damage; precast concrete planks; structural steel frames; fatigue and static performance tests; jointless bridges; parking garage rehabilitation; bracing failure investigations.
Todd D.Feliks, PECivil EngineerLicensed Engineer in Michigan
Hospital, healthcare, and educational building design and construction, including flooring, painting, lighting and ceiling replacement; building standards and safety code compliance, including ADA, ANSI, NFPA, BOCA, IBC, and OSHA; Professional Liability issues and Standards of Practice; clean rooms and operating rooms; project contracts, including shop drawings, submittals, bid and project documents, and change orders.
Jon L.FilliezElevator & Escalator ExpertElevator and escalator maintenance, service and repair; elevator and escalator damage and malfunction evaluations; long range elevator modernization projects.
LarryFischer, RA, AIA, NCARBArchitectAll stages of planning, design, and construction supervision for healthcare, educational, corporate, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings; zoning compliance; ANSI and Life Safety Code compliance; ADA compliance; architectural professional liability issues and standards of practice; clean and vibration-free rooms; personal injury and property damage investigations.
Richard A.GregoryElevator/ Escalator ExpertLitigation (plaintiff and defense) involving damage, malfunction, or personal injury/death involving elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and similar equipment; ANSI/ASME A17 Code interpretation and compliance; elevator/escalator maintenance programs; inspections and condition assessments; control systems and controllers; construction and modernization; contract negotiations.
Paul H.Gross, CCMMeterologistWeather-related evaluations for vehicular accident reconstruction (including marine, aviation, and off-road); special events planning; construction delays; slip-and-fall incidents, including black ice formation; lightning strikes; property damage; time-of-death investigations; fire investigations.
Michael W.Hayslip, ESQ., PE, CSPSenior Civil EngineerLicensed Engineer in Ohio
Construction issues, including safety and health-training; developing, maintaining, and enforcing safety policies and programs; OSHA compliance; hazardous material transportation; field safety inspections; Workers Compensation claim management; corporate safety issues; carpenter; surveyor.
RichardHermance, FE, ACEVehicle Crash Reconstruction & Snowmobile ExpertVehicle crashes; snowmobile operations and functions, including safety; operator performance evaluations; speed determinations; skid/scrape analysis; deformation/penetration analysis; vehicle and component research and testing; seat belts, including child restraints; pedestrian and bicycle incidents; crash computer simulations; trail design and safety, including signage; human factors, including daytime/nighttime visibility and reaction times; occupant trajectory; motorcycles, ATVs, racing cars, and watercraft; buses, motor homes, and trailers, including campers; dynamic traction analysis; injury and crash biomechanics; Crash Data Recorder (CDC) analysis; acceleration and braking tests; farm equipment.
James R.Heyl, PESenior Electrical Engineer Licensed Engineer in Michigan
Industrial equipment; material handling systems; automation and robotic systems; power supplies; control systems; computer and PLC programming; quality control and safety; manufacturing operations; facilities construction and maintenance; electrical fires and explosions for equipment, structures, and vehicles; switchgear and substations; automated machinery; safety, predictive, and preventive maintenance programs; conveyor systems; safety interlocks; safety violations; instrumentation systems; AC/DC motors; code compliance; marina electrical systems; underground electrical distribution; welding systems; test cells; lighting systems including sport facilities and roadways.
James R.Hill, PESenior Mechanical Engineer Licensed Engineer in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Wisconsin
Building HVAC, plumbing, fire protection and electrical, including design, installation damage, malfunction, and personal injury; code and safety compliance, including ADA; maintenance requirements and implementation; hot water and steam boilers; air/steam turbines, compressors, pumps, fans, and vacuum systems; refrigeration and freezer defects; bakery and food processing equipment and facilities; power and lighting systems; locker rooms and restrooms; ventilation and indoor air quality requirements.
Blaine J.Hoffmann, MS, OSHMSafety ExpertWorkplace safety, training, investigations, accident investigations and audits; legal aspects of safety and health; training and development programs; written program development; interpretation of OSHA general industry and construction industry, healthcare industry standards; VPP program management; MSHA training and regulatory interpretations; 40-hr HAZWOPER; Arc-Flash (NFPA 70E).
Steven C.HowardPolice, Security, Weapons, and Ballistics ExpertPolice operations/conduct; security procedures; building, personal, personnel, and yacht security; self-defense claims; self-defense tactics; criminal evidence and procedures; DNA evidence; wildlife regulations and management; crime scene preservation; searches of homes, vehicles, and persons; drug enforcement operations; international border operations; electronic surveillance; questioning and interrogations; high speed pursuit driving; firearms training; detention center booking, fingerprinting, photographing, and in-processing procedures; arrest reports; illegal weapons; shotgun patterning; firearm and ammunition malfunctions; setting trigger pulls; defects in warnings and design; tool-mark identifications; internal, external, terminal ballistics; shooting reconstruction; gunshot residue and cross-contamination; stab and cut investigations; accidental discharge; ejections analysis; penetration testing; serial number restoration; weapon tampering; bomb and incendiary devices; weapons safety; forced entry tools; armor; armored cars and homes; weapons repair; ammunition reloading; tranquilizer guns; industrial manufacturing tools and equipment; hand tools; close circuit cameras; motion detectors; metal detectors; security doors; lock manipulation; alarm systems; asset verification; missing persons; document fraud; landlord-tenant law; family law and child custody; immigration and naturalization law; deportation hearings; social security law; disability claims.
Daniel B.Kennedy, PhD, CPP, CSPSecurity & Safety ExpertPremises security and safety including planning, implementation and evaluation; crime forseeability; standards of care; causation issues; use of force; police pursuits; custodial suicides; failure to protect; health care services; confinement conditions; surveillance security systems; profiling and threat assessment; workplace violence; security training management and administration; police administration; investigation methodology; comparative security; victimology; inmate counseling; rape and sexual violence; spousal abuse; residence and lodging security; mall and parking lot safety and security; loss prevention; shoplifting; crime scene profiling; victimized tourists; insanity judgments; correctional reform; cocaine-related violence; crowd and riot control; school violence; negligent hiring; police liability.
Dennis MichaelKing, FAIA, FESD, LEED, APArchitectConstruction property damage, defects, and personal injury; architecture construction claims; premises/professional liabilities; construction operations; construction marketing; project management; claims arbitration; dispute settlement; LEED Green Buildings; energy and environmental design.
John P.Lauhoff, PE, CSPSafety EngineerLicensed Engineer in Massachusetts
Injuries, damage, malfunctions, and personnel issues related to machinery and equipment design, fabrication, maintenance, operations, procedures, training, and safety procedures; accident investigation/reconstruction; slips, trips, and falls; industrial vehicles; machinery/equipment guarding; hand/power tools; work-related injuries; safety grievances; safety training programs; monitor outside contractors.
David E.Leonard, CATree & Landscaping Expert/ArboristTrees and landscaping; tree felling safety procedures; tree valuations; landscape restoration plans and cost; comprehensive land use planning; tree excavations; soil modifications and remediation; tree preservation; root collar excavation.
Stephen K.Li, RASenior Forensic Architect Building design and planning; codes and standards; security systems; ADA compliance; zoning board regulations; grading and drainage; building failures; warnings; shelving and racks; fall protection; glazing, roofing, walls, windows, foundations, floor treatments, sidewalks; slips, trips and falls on walkways, ramps, stairs, docks, kitchens, and parking lots; illumination issues; design and construction of stairs, railings, ramps, ladders, and scaffolding; architectural professional liability issues and standards of practice; property damage investigations, including wind, water, and hail damage; cost estimating; surveying issues; building mechanical and electrical systems, including refrigeration; injury claim investigations; supervise field construction activities; parking lot safety guidelines.
Malcolm K.Lim, PECivil EngineerCivil/structural design; field investigations; nondestructive testing; high rise buildings; balconies; bridges; piers; power plants; pipes and tunnels; decks; structural distress; excessive displacement; excessive vibration; partial or total collapse; roofing systems; roadway pavements and runways; parking structures; materials testing; concrete products; document control; record creation and maintenance; international standards; corrosion; welding; quality control; certified SCUBA underwater inspections; impulse radar; ultrasonic testing; tunnel linings; garage barrier safety; post-tensioned beams; concrete degradation.
Lawrence S.Mayer, MD, MS, PhDMedical & Epidemiology ExpertEpidemiology and Biostatistics; statistical data analysis; study and model review; valuation of epidemiological studies and clinical trials; meta-analysis; evaluation of causal content of epidemiological studies; drug and medical development and regulation; product liability; occupational and environmental exposures; medical malpractice; toxicology; cardiology; OB/GYN; surgery; psychiatry/neuropsychiatry; internal medicine; disease prognosis; biomedical informatics; multiple regression; time series modeling; stochastic processes; multivariate analysis; statistical inference; public policy; energy analysis.
Susan K.Murry, MSN, CRPNNursing ExpertPatient care; nursing practices; medical facility "standard-of-care" procedures; OSHA compliance; school health; family care including pediatrics, gynecology and gerontology; occupational injury assessment and treatment; child abuse and neglect screening; communicable diseases including STD's; community health education; pharmacology; pathophysiology.
EthanParker, PECivil EngineerLicensed Engineer in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia
Vehicle crash reconstruction, including automobiles, trucks, buses, trailers, motorcycles, water craft, and trains; analysis of mechanical and structural failures, including foundation, wall and roof collapses; vehicle defects and failures, including hydraulic/air brakes, steering and suspension, drive trains, and tires; mold remediation in homes, schools, and commercial buildings; vehicle fires and explosions, including arson; product defects, including mechanical and electrical failures; water infiltration, hail, and wind damage; roadway incidents, including road design and visibility analysis; design analysis; building code compliance; fire investigations; steel structures; glazing and roofing systems; conveyance systems; crane runways; traffic flow and accident patterns; signage and traffic signals.
Barry S.RopePackaging/ Material Handling ExpertPackaging and material handling, including products, equipment, procedures and operations; trailer/container/rail car/ocean freight loading, blocking and bracing; transportation and distribution; palletizing, storage and warehousing; product packaging and labeling; packaging materials; technical documentation; HAZMAT regulations; standards compliance; environmental issues; hot melt adhesives; shock and vibration.
Donald E.Sanders, DVM, Dip ACT, PASVeterinarian ExpertAnimal reproduction; animal welfare; animal biotechnology; animal embryo transfer; livestock water supply; bovine mastitis; animal production; milk production; artificial insemination; farm management; animal parasitism; euthanasia; malpractice; animal environment; dairy management; animal nutrition; animal diseases; stray voltage; toxicology.
Thomas H.Sawyer, Ed.D., NAS, AAHPERDRecreation, Exercise, and Sport Safety ExpertSports, exercise, recreation, physical education, amusement, and fitness activities and equipment; facilities operation; sport finance; sport governance; sport law; sport management; sport marketing; sport sociology; facility design including skate parks, aquatics parks, swimming pools, hot tubs/saunas/steam rooms, campus recreational sport facilities, parks/recreational areas, and golf courses; coaching and training.
Michael E.Schack, CCIMReal Estate and Property Management ExpertPolicies and procedures; lease negotiations; property inspections; property maintenance; asset management; landlord-tenant issues; acquisitions; property repositioning; standards of care; security; premises liability; dispositions; loan agreements; equity raising; investment performance; multi-family, office, retail, and industrial real estate; oversight of asset managers, third party property managers; leasing agents, construction managers, and other third party providers; due diligence; value enhancement; training asset managers; real estate appraisals; investment analysis; condemnation; property taxes.
JimScottRailroad Operations, Equipment, and Safety ExpertRailroad operations and equipment; safety training; train performance; commodities transportation; locomotive engineer; brakeman/foreman/conductor; air brakes; event recorders; locomotive engineer training; loading and unloading; end of train devices; derailment investigations; train emergencies; train simulators.
Robert B.Shuman, MDPediatric Neurology/NeonatologyPediatric neurology/neonatology; fetal development; perinatal medicine; birth defects; birth trauma; child development, including schooling; neuropathology; neurotoxicology; neurophysiology; epilepsy; neuroimaging: MRI, CAT, EEF; pharmacology; anatomic pathology; surgical pathology; surgical case review; peripheral nerve disease; stroke; spondylolisthesis; vitamin therapy; Downs Syndrome; electromyography; whiplash injuries; traumatic brain injury; frontal-subcortical circulation; advanced evoke potentials; migraines; headaches; depressive disorders; Alzheimer’s Disease; epileptogenesis; epilepsy; cocaine effects; closed head injuries; AED Therapy; ADHD; developmental disabilities; autism; brain tumors; neurosciences; child abuse; seizures; anti-depressive therapy; prenatal diagnosis; seasonal affective disorder; bipolar disorder; childhood depression; Tourette Syndrome; neuralgia; vagus nerve stimulation; intractable seizures; psychopharmacolory; antipsychotic and psychotropic therapy; antiepileptic drugs.
Robert J.Schutz, PE, PS, CBOEngineer/SurveyorConstruction/survey claims; premises/professional liabilities; building codes, including mechanical, fuel gas, plumbing, electrical, environmental, and energy; land use law; environmental management; building materials and installation; preparation and review of residential, commercial, and government construction documents; water and sewer utilities; gas line construction/installation; roadway projects; engineered wood products; building and roof structural designs; topographic mapping; swimming pool design; mobile home park designs; disaster mitigation; aircraft hangars; code training and certification; damaged and dilapidated structures; examiner and field inspector; foundations; roadway projects; planner/sanitarian/epidemiologist.
Rick A.Smith, PESenior Mechanical EngineerLicensed Engineer in Ohio
Industrial power plants and processes; thermal and combustion systems including boilers, furnaces, and ovens; CFC management; HVAC systems; air pollution control; process and power piping and equipment; cathodic protection; pump failure analysis; heat and fluid transfer processes, including energy conservation.
Henry A.Spiller, D.ABAT, D.ABFEToxicologistToxic tort; workers compensation; DUI, including drug and alcohol screening results; post-mortem drug and/or toxicology results; chemical and poison toxicology; false positive and negative urine drug screens; malpractice; occupational medicine; pharmacotherapy; addiction; inhalant abuse; mercury exposure; pediatric ingestions.
Bruce E.VanDorpe, CFI, CFEIFire & Explosion InvestigatorOrigin and cause of fires; fraud fires; arson and conspiracies to commit arson; fire science technology; safety engineering; electric and gas appliance fires; auto theft fires; bomb scene investigations; clandestine drug labs; criminal/terrorist incidents; interviews and interrogations; bomb disposal.
ChadWalkerSafety ExpertConstruction and industrial equipment safety operations and procedures, including cranes, loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, fork lifts, skid steers, and aerial lifts; safety program training and maintenance; safety equipment requirements and orientations; employee safety and health issue investigations, reviews, and responses; OSHA and JSHA compliance; unsafe working conditions; safety audits; emergency response drills; emergency action plans.
William J.Warfel, PhD, CLU, CPCUInsurance Industry ExpertInsurance losses involving property damage, punitive damage, and personal injury; breach of contract; bad faith; agent and broker liability issues representing policyholders, insurers, and third parties; general liability; homeowners; personal and commercial auto; commercial property; business income; individual life and disability; professional liability; employee dishonesty; workers compensation; financial institution bond; inland marine; surety bond policies.
Sander I.White, DDSDentistry/Oral Surgery ExpertDentistry and oral surgery; review dental and medical records; prosthodontics; clinical instructor; restorative dentistry; dental implants.
William W.Whitworth, PEUtility Line/Pole Expert and Electrical EngineerPower poles and overhead and underground electric power lines; NESC code requirements; wood pole analysis; pole loading, guying, and buckling; material failure analysis; compliance audits; conductor sag and tension; conductor blowouts; fuse coordination; fault studies; circuit loading; voltage drop analysis; capacitor bank and control; system reliability indices; system reliability; improvement recommendations; system inventories; inspections; mapping; underground and overhead distribution systems; engineering policies; programmable capacitor controls; guy/anchor failures; easements; estimates; training seminars.
Schield M.Wikas, DO, DF, FAOCDMedical DermatologyOsteopathic medicine; internal medicine; pharmacology; therapeutics; phlebology; dermal fillers; Botox injections; dermatology, including diseases, cancers, surgery, and injections; sclerotheraphy; hair transplantation/restoration; Staphylococcal Scaled-Skin Syndrome; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome; Hyperimmunoglobulin E. Syndrome; Scurvy; Epithelioid Angoisarcoma; Epithelioid Hemangioma; Scleromyxedema; Merkel Cell Carcinoma; cancer screening; venereal diseases; bacterial and fungal infections; cutaneous manifestations; hair and nail diseases; atopic dermatitis; cutaneous malignancy cancer; bullous diseases; Pyoderma Gangrenosum; acne/rosacea; psoriasis therapy.
Michael T.Williams, PECivil/Environmental EngineerLicensed Engineer in Michigan, Indiana, New Mexico

Civil/sanitary design including water distribution, sanitary and storm water sewer systems, pump stations, and wastewater treatment plants; administration, inspection and testing for construction of storm sewers, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, activated sludge systems, aerated lagoons, oxidation ditches, sequencing batch reactors, and secondary/tertiary treatment systems; inspector/technician training; site surveying and safety plans; project certifications; failures and malfunctions including foundations, retaining walls, roofs, structural failures, appliances, furnaces, swimming pools, spas, saunas, plumbing systems, hydraulic systems, fire suppression systems, environmental releases, and environmental remediation systems; hydrogeological investigations, aquifer tests, design and permitting.