Escalator Elevator Accident Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.2306

Background

Expert 2306 has specialized in the investigation of elevator accidents for 25 years, first as a Corporate Risk Manager at a national elevator company, and since then as an independent consultant and elevator expert witness.  Expert 2306 is a NAESA Certified ASME QEI Elevator Safety Inspector. 

Expert 2306 has investigated more than 2500 lawsuits and claims, involving personal injuries and property damage, arising from the following conditions:

Catastrophic failure and crash of elevator car frame, Catastrophic failure and crash of elevator counterweight frame, Catastrophic failure and crash of passenger elevator hydraulic cylinders, Unintended movement of elevator in up direction, Elevator running with doors open, Elevator over-speed safety application, Elevator hoist machine brake application, Elevator buffer engagement, Elevator drive sheave traction, Elevator door re-opening safety device, Elevator floor leveling system, Elevator technician entrapped by car top equipment, Passenger entrapment between elevator car door and hoist way swing door, Passenger entrapment in elevator between floors, Passenger fall down elevator hoist way while exiting stalled elevator, Child playing on top of elevator entrapped by hoist way equipment, Student fall down elevator hoist way while holding on to bottom of elevator, Escalator comb to step tread clearance, Escalator step-to-step clearance, Escalator step and handrail operating speed, Escalator stop in down direction, Escalator step to skirt clearance, Passenger fall over side of escalator

Experience

1991-Present, Elevator and Escalator Consultant
This company is a nationally recognized, independent elevator and escalator-consulting firm.  This company specializes in litigation support services, including accident investigation and expert witness testimony, in personal injury and property damage cases related to elevators, escalators and other types of vertical transportation equipment. Provide consulting services to architects, general contractors, developers, and building owners for preparation of specifications, maintenance and equipment condition audits, construction management, final inspection, and traffic analysis.

This company was organized in 1991 and has since been continuously providing assistance throughout the U.S. on a variety of elevator and escalator issues and involving a wide variety of vertical transportation equipment. Provide consulting services to architects, general contractors, developers, and building owners for preparation of specifications, maintenance and equipment condition audits, construction management, final inspection, and traffic analysis.
1994-1997, Elevator and Consultant, Lerch Bates North America, Inc.
Provided consulting services to architects, general contractors, developers, and building owners for preparation of specifications, maintenance and equipment condition audits, construction management, final inspection, and traffic analysis.

1983-1994, Corporate Risk Manager, Armor Elevator Company
Conducted technical analysis and investigation of vertical transportation equipment involved in accidents to the public at all branch office locations nationally. Approximately 2000 personal injury accidents involving all types and manufacturers of vertical transportation equipment were technically analyzed during this time frame. Additional duties included responsibility for review, negotiation and acceptance of all contracts and their terms for provision of new equipment, modernization, maintenance and repair projects at all branch office locations nationally.

1981-1983, Property Manager, Phoenix Management Company
Provided management of commercial and residential real estate holdings for absentee landlords.

1979-1981, Director of Operations, Gust Lagerquist and Sons, Inc.
Provided general management, supervision and technical assistance for all field operations involving the installation, maintenance, and repair of all vertical transportation equipment, as well as application engineering, contract administration, estimating, purchasing, and scheduling.

1970-1979, Regional and Branch Manager, Montgomery Elevator Company
Engaged in various levels of management in both the United States and Canada. Responsible for all phases of branch office operations, including technical assistance and supervision of all field employees and activities.

1963-1970, Field Technician, Montgomery Elevator Company
Technical experience gained during this period from positions held as service troubleshooter, service mechanic, repair mechanic, adjuster, construction mechanic and mechanic’s helper.

Education

University College Northampton-Master of Science Lift Engineering Module C1 - Lift Applications Engineering

University of Louisville-Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude

Apprenticeship, Electric Motor and Armature Winding

Licenses and Certifications

1994-2006, NAESA Certified ASME QEI Elevator Safety Inspector
1998, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, Certified Inspector 
1973, OSHA Certified in Construction Supervision
1965, Journeyman Elevator Mechanic

Trial Certified Expert Witness-Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Tennessee, Washington and U.S. Federal Court System

Professional Organizations

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, Member Mechanical Design Committee, Member, Escalator and Moving Walk Committee, Past Member, Hydraulic Committee, International Code Council, International Association of Elevator Engineers, National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International, National Association of Vertical Transportation Professionals

References

Available upon request.