Articles

In the design of an automobile, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) systems are installed to increase safety by reducing the severity of rear-end collisions, or even preventing them from occurring in the first place. FCW is a system that will inform the driver through a visual and/or tactile alert that braking is required to prevent a collision from occurring. FCW-only systems have no AEB installed to assist with the braking. In an AEB equipped car, the visual and/or tactile FCW alert will be given, followed by the vehicle automatically applying the brakes in a predetermined and calculated manner to avoid or reduce the collision speed. Like all Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, these systems are tuned during the Research and Development (R&D) process by a team of engineers from the vehicle and system manufacturers, and performance will vary based upon the goals of the vehicle manufacturer and the components used.

In this article, Automotive Engineering expert Roland Hoover discusses the variables that are considered during the R&D process, and how the performance of these systems is assessed during an investigation after a crash has occurred.

In this article, Civil Engineer, Thomas Lyden provides an overview of winter maintenance operations. His discussion includes two strategies for snow and ice control, anti-icing and de-icing, and how failure to adequately address hazardous road conditions sometimes manifests itself in our forensic casework.

In this piece, the focus is on Boating Safety Education and the importance of a pre-departure Safety Briefing. Good seamanship requires Captains, vessel operators and owners to have mitigation and contingency plans in place before and during a vessel’s voyage, and to be aware of and prepared for risks involved in maritime transit. Whether the vessel is a cruise ship, cargo vessel, ferry, yacht, charter or recreational boat, a prudent vessel operator should manage the level of risk.

This is the first in a series of articles, written by Marine Operations expert Captain Hendrik J. Keijer to address a variety of available methods and means which the level of risk aboard vessels can be managed.

In this article, Civil Engineer, Thomas Lyden provides an overview of Road Weather Information System in winter maintenance operations. His discussion includes identifying the sensors that are often installed in a RWIS station, the ways in which highway agencies and motorists benefit from RWIS, duties that may result from implementing a RWIS system, and resource decisions that can be made based on current and forecasted weather conditions.

Hospital beds are designed and constructed to provide safety, comfort, and mobility for a broad range of patients with varying conditions and treatment plans. While the adaptability and versatility of hospital beds and related safety devices allow caregivers to meet the diverse needs of their patients; care must be taken to ensure necessary user training, inspection protocols, and routine maintenance and safety checks are followed.

Falls are the most common type of incident associated with hospital beds, however pressure injuries and entrapments are also notable safety concerns. In this article, Christian Mongrain, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Durable Medical Equipment Expert, provides an overview of hospital bed injuries and proper safety.

In today’s economy there are many companies that provide transportation vehicles to their employees, or utilize an employee’s personal vehicle to provide various services to the public, such as plumbing and electrical services, passenger or public transportation services, and food delivery. Non-CDL drivers use vehicles for commercial purposes on a daily basis, sharing streets and roadways with other motorists and pedestrians.

In this article, commercial trucking expert Tim Bussard describes the responsibility that companies have to properly vet, train, supervise, and monitor their drivers as well as the vehicles they will be using to ensure safety to the public.

The aviation experts at Robson Forensic provide evaluation of damages and repair estimates toward the resolution of aircraft insurance claims disputes. The parts and labor costs associated with these highly specialized systems can be astronomical and our experts provide a check and balance on the pertinent details to ensure that costs and the scope of work are both reasonable and sufficient.

This article provides a brief overview of an insurance claim that was investigated by Aviation Maintenance Expert, Matthew Lykins.

In rear-end highway collisions involving a stopped or slow-moving vehicle, it is common for the driver of the striking vehicle to say that they did not realize the lead vehicle was stopped or moving very slowly until it was too late to avoid the crash. Drivers in these situations likely experienced a phenomenon called “looming.”

Looming is an issue that frequently comes into play in litigation when determining whether the driver perceived and responded to the slower moving or stopped vehicle in a reasonable amount of time and whether the driver’s actions were a cause of the crash. In this article, human factors expert, Dr. Nancy Grugle provides an introduction to looming within the context of vehicle crash cases.

In this article, Electrical Engineer, Kenneth J. Kutchek, P.E. provides an introduction to electronic machine safety guards. Designed to enhance the safety of industrial processes and machinery, the adequacy of these systems is frequently contested in casework involving industrial mishaps. This discussion provides an overview of the safety hierarchy of hazard control, and the various ways electronic machine safety guards are utilized to mitigate hazards.

In this article, premises safety expert Sylvia Deye discusses window safety and the leading causes of fall from window incidents. Her discussion includes design, maintenance, and operational aspects that affect premises safety. The experts at Robson Forensic investigate a broad range of premises liability disputes on behalf of counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants.

In this article, Civil Engineer Thomas Lyden provides an overview of pavement markings in construction work zones. His discussion includes the importance of providing positive guidance within construction work zones, relevant standards, and typical methods of placing and removing markings.

In this article, Mechanical Engineer, Brian Kelly, P.E. discusses the incidence of injuries involving overhead doors. His discussion includes an overview of overhead door anatomy, an explanation of the hazards, and a description of safety precautions to protect users from injury.

Failures that allow the stored energy within the spring of an overhead door to be rapidly released can cause devastating injuries, often to unsuspecting or untrained personnel. Failure of the overhead door balancing system can cause the door to rapidly close under its own weight. The experts at Robson Forensic are experienced in investigating and testifying in overhead door cases and a broad range of other matters involving facilities safety.

Determination of architectural copyright infringement is a complex process requiring skilled attorneys in the Intellectual Property (IP) field. Over the years, courts have identified methodologies for evaluating architectural works and technical drawings, enabling architectural experts to assist attorneys and finders of fact in determining whether contested projects or designs are “substantially similar.” While architectural styles are iterative, collaborative, and evolve over time, there are limitations on how closely one project can resemble another, in detail or in total appearance.

In this article, Architecture expert Lee Martin provides insight into the complex nature of architectural copyright infringement disputes and provides an example from previous cases.

A large segment of the truck driving population is composed of drivers who work locally and are home most nights. In this article, commercial trucking expert Jeff Boesger explores the unique challenges that LTL delivery drivers regularly face.

LTL truck companies often employ drivers with diverse experiences and abilities, including over-the-road drivers, regional drivers, shuttle drivers, and local drivers. LTL, (Less than Truckload) drivers make multiple small deliveries and freight pickups within a local area. Because of the multi-stop nature of their deliveries, these drivers (especially if untrained or inexperienced) are at risk for vehicle accidents: injuries from unloading/loading and moving product from truck to truck; slips, trips, or falls in the ordinary course of work; and being struck by equipment while working in various shipping and receiving locations.

The experts at Robson Forensic investigate a variety of product liability claims and incidents to understand how they occurred. Manufacturing and product safety expert, Phil Shettig, is experienced both in the design of consumer products and the manufacturing processes that produce textiles as well as finished textile products. In this article, he discusses the standards that apply to fabric flammability and the factors that contribute to the flammability of the textiles used in a product. The raw source material, the gauge of the knit, fabric weight, dyes and chemicals used in treating the fabric, and any treatments applied to the end product all have an impact on flammability and flame intensity.

In this article, police practices expert Jeff Jannarone describes Traffic Incident Management procedures and the potential dangers that exist for first responders and motorists at the scene of a Traffic Incident.

Cellular towers require frequent service calls to repair, upgrade, or install new communications equipment. They are also subject to routine inspection related to the structural integrity of the tower and associated climbing facilities. In this article, Structural Engineer Anthony Volonnino looks through the lens of a specific fall incident to discuss some of the standards and safety features intended to protect communications workers when working at heights.

In 2018, there were over 800 trampoline parks in the United States, up from just a handful a decade earlier. The incidence of injuries at these facilities has grown even more rapidly than the facilities themselves, which has presented a challenge for oversight agencies, with fewer than a dozen states having their own regulations specific to trampoline parks. In this document, Dr. Laura Miele-Pascoe discusses the surge of injuries being reported from trampoline park patrons and the current standard of care for trampoline park (TP) operators and attendants which, when followed, can reduce the risk of patron injury.

When a railroad crossing gate failed to lower in time and a police car had to swerve at the last second to avoid being struck by an oncoming suburban train, reporter Chris Hush of NBC 5 Chicago reached out to railroad engineering expert Augustine Ubaldi P.E. for comment.

The flatbed segment of the trucking industry has a unique set of challenges and hazards that, if not properly managed, can lead to worker injuries or deaths. In this article, commercial trucking expert Brooks Rugemer discusses the hazards that exist in hauling and loading/unloading cargo from a flatbed truck, and provides examples of what can go wrong.

In this article, machinery experts at Robson Forensic provide an introduction to hydraulic systems and the hazards they present. Hydraulic systems are used everywhere, from forklifts to landing gear to industrial systems and the largest earth-moving machinery. Some of the most complex and critical life safety hydraulic systems are found on board ships and aircraft. Expertise in those environments translates well to industrial applications on terra firma. Required to be powerful and reliable, hydraulic systems are not, however, immune to malfunction and failure.

A significant portion of our machine guarding investigations involve situations where machine guards need to be removed and/or workers must place their hands within a machine’s point-of-operation. The scope of these investigations will typically go beyond an evaluation of mechanical or electrical guards to include administrative protections such as lockout/tagout procedures.

In this article, industrial engineer Harry Ehrlich provides an explanation of lockout/tagout within the context of industrial safety.

When Autumn arrives, family recreation turns to popular seasonal traditions like pumpkin picking and fall fairs, where kiddie rides, hay rides, corn mazes, sleigh rides and the like are a big part of the fun. Farms and small venues often offer rides with an old-world or homemade appeal. These rides and their operators must still meet industry standards of care for safety. Amusement Ride Safety expert Dan Doyle explores the standards and best practices that apply to kiddie rides and seasonal amusement attractions.

Wheelchairs are a common type of medical equipment used to transport an individual in a seated position, with the purpose of increasing mobility for a person with functional impairments. In this article, healthcare expert and physical therapist Christian Mongrain discusses the types of wheelchairs, their maintenance, industry standards, and the types of accidents and injuries that can occur from improper use or care.