Robson Forensic Expert Witnesses, Forensic Experts, Expert Witness, Cases and Claims

Settlement Reached in Alleged Chemical Burn Case

A contract custodian was cleaning restrooms at a mall and allegedly suffered an inhalation injury due to a chemical reaction from two cleaners, one of which he was unaware had been used. Robson Forensic was retained to determine if a chemical reaction was possible, the toxicity of the contaminants that could have been released from the reaction, and to review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), training procedures and safety policies.

Our expert found that a chemical reaction could have occurred and that the contaminant could have been toxic. However, no other individuals in the rest room were adversely affected nor were individuals who entered the rest room immediately after the incident allegedly occurred. Our expert also determined that the company did provide proper training on the cleaning procedures and the hazards of the cleaning products involved. This training included in-the-field demonstrations, instructional videos, and proper safety manuals. He showed that the man failed to follow the training he received. Had he followed established procedures by announcing himself to building officials when he arrived to perform his work, he would have known of the pre-cleaning activity that had occurred, he would have known which proper cleaner to use as he had been instructed, and the incident would not have occurred.

This case settled to the satisfaction of our client prior to trial.

To email the experts involved in this case:

Ronald D. Schaible C.I.H., C.S.P. with Environmental Health / Safety

$1.1 Million Settlement in School Trip Drowning Case

A boy drowned in a creek while on a fieldtrip. Robson Forensic was retained to determine if the actions of the school or its designees contributed to the boy’s death.

On a school trip at an overnight wilderness campground, a boy and several classmates left the campsite area to play in the creek with no chaperones present. One student said they knew of a rope swing in the area and the group started to swim across the creek in an attempt to reach the swing. The boy drowned while crossing the creek.

Our expert showed that the school violated the standards of supervision and care, which resulted in the boy’s death. The school failed to oversee the students while on the trip and did not reasonably prohibit them from straying from the group. The school also failed to properly chaperone the overnight trip and did not have a protocol or procedure to respond to emergencies. These failures violated the standard of care for safe school sponsored fieldtrip operations and supervision. The school’s actions were dangerous in a manner that caused the boy’s death.

This case settled for $1.1 million prior to trial.

To email the experts involved in this case:

Brett Scott Galambos M.Ed. with Education

$250,000 Settlement in Construction Fall

A woman fell on a temporary walkway at a construction site and was injured. Robson Forensic was retained to determine if the temporary walkway created an unreasonable and dangerous condition which caused her injuries.

During the construction of a walkway, the existing sidewalk was removed and plywood was used to construct a temporary walking surface. When the woman stepped onto the plywood, it moved, and she fell, injuring her elbow and forearm.

Our expert showed that the plywood panel used was unreasonable, unsafe, and inappropriate for use as a walking surface. The construction company’s decision to use plywood at this spot, rather than the precast concrete panels used everywhere else on the site, deviated from the safe and approved project plans and violated safe standard of care. Furthermore, the failure to adequately warn or post signs was negligent and contributed to the woman’s injuries.

This case settled favorably for our client.

To email the experts involved in this case:

Joseph J. McHugh P.E., C.E.T. with Construction