Thomas Cocchiola, PE, CSP ::::

Case Synopsis:  A process engineer was summoned to resolve a problem on a packaging machinery line that produces a continuous roll of labels for consumer products.  The packaging machines print images on two continuous webs of material and laminates them before winding the finished product onto large rolls being shipped to customers.  The engineer was asked to troubleshoot a laminating machine problem that was affecting one edge of the material and ruining the finished product.  He isolated the cause of the problem and attempted a minor correction with the packaging line in operation.  Unfortunately, his right hand was pulled into an unguarded in-running nip point formed between two rotating rollers as he made the adjustment.  He was able to reach an emergency stop cable after his hand was trapped and injured in the machine.

R.  Scott King, BSME ::::

Case Synopsis: A vehicle owner was leaning into the open trunk of his late model sedan, reaching for groceries, when the trunk lid suddenly closed, striking him in the back causing permanent nerve damage.  The owner sued the auto manufacturer claiming the trunk lid mechanism was designed defectively and in a way that permitted the lid to close unexpectedly. 

Ronald E. Tomasetti, CDS, CDT ::::

Case Synopsis: A tanker delivering airplane fuel at a local airport crashed into an electric baggage cart when the driver made a sudden turn to avoid a worker loading baggage onto the cart.  The worker was severely injured when the cart overturned on him.  The tanker driver, who was in the US on a work VISA from Argentina, was operating the commercial motor vehicle which was placard (flammable) without a Commercial Driver License (CDL).  The employer, ABC Fuel Enterprise, Inc, did not have the vehicle licensed (displaying a plate).  The injured worker brought suit claiming the driver was not qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle and the employer was negligent for hiring him.

Steven M. Schorr, PE :::: 

Case Synopsis: A pedestrian on the east side [southeast corner] of a city street was looking to the north, waiting for the traffic signal to direct pedestrians to cross.  A northbound tractor-trailer was executing a right turn to head eastbound.  The tractor passed the pedestrian, but the pedestrian was knocked down by the right side of the trailer and then run over by the right rear trailer tires.  The pedestrian was moved prior to the police documenting the area.  There was a photograph of the point of rest position of the tractor-trailer which had finished its turn prior to being “flagged down” by witnesses who observed the collision.  The witnesses gave contradictory testimony as to whether the pedestrian was on the curb or in the street at the time of the collision. 

Tom Griffiths, Ed.D ::::

Case Synopsis: Good swimmers rarely drown, rather, they die of medical maladies not discovered during autopsy. Particularly in the safe confines of swimming pools and water parks, it is nearly impossible for good swimmers to drown. Unfortunately, for lifeguards and those who manage aquatic facilities, coroners are trained to conclude “drowning” whenever water enters the lungs.  This puts defendants in a very poor position because most people who die in water will naturally take water into their lungs during the dying process through agonal breaths.

Richard Hughes, PE ::::

Case Synopsis:  Humans have two fields of view, peripheral and primary. The primary field of view is approximately a 15 degree angle from the pupil while the peripheral is approximately a 45 degree angle.  A person’s primary field of view is always focused on their point of destination or most probably danger such as another pedestrian or a moving car.  Only when a person is ambulating faster than their comfort level do they look down at their feet.  Such is the scenario when a person is running, jogging, or walking on ice and it is not customary for them.

R. Scott King, BSME ::::

Case Analysis: The right front passenger of a late- model SUV was severely injured when an object lying in the roadway was struck by a preceding vehicle, became airborne, and entered the vehicle through the windshield.  Police responding to the scene recognized the object and quickly alerted other units to a possible disabled truck in the area.  Within minutes, police discovered a disabled tractor-trailer a short distance ahead of the initial incident scene.  Upon inspection, police discovered why the truck was disabled, and further identified the component that had struck and injured the passenger a few minutes earlier: a driveshaft.  

Curt M. Beloy, MSME ::::

Case Synopsis:  Vehicle 1 was traveling northbound (NB) approaching a line of stopped cars at an intersection.  Vehicle 2 was also traveling NB in the same lane, behind Vehicle 1.  A collision occurred when the last of the stopped vehicles was rear-ended by Vehicles 1 and 2.  Operator #1 claims he brought his vehicle to a stop behind a line of cars, was rear-ended by Vehicle 2, and pushed into the rear of the stopped car.  Operator #2 claims that Vehicle 1 rear-ended the stopped vehicle in front of it and then he hit the back of Vehicle 1.  No evidence was left on the roadway as a result of the collision and the damage to the vehicles did not indicate any specific order of impact.  Based on the physical evidence alone, a determination of the order of the collisions was not clear.

Robert J. Nobilini, Ph.D. ::::

Case Synopsis:  A welder was crushed to death while welding a large 1200 pound stainless steel part that was being supported by a positioning machine.  The positioning machine was used to hold the part in various positions to allow the man to access areas of the part that required welding.  The man was found sitting on a box, leaning forward with the part pushing down on his back.  It was determined that the table of the positioner had tilted forward such that the part moved down onto the man and then stopped.  The pendant controller for the positioner was found lying face down on a pile of wires and hoses with the emergency stop button depressed.  A mechanical and biomechanical analysis was performed to determine how the accident occurred.

R. Scott King, BSME ::::

Case Synopsis: The operator of a late-model pick-up truck was involved in a multi-vehicle, low speed collision wherein the brakes on his vehicle reportedly failed. After the incident, the operator provided his insured with a detailed description of how his brakes operated immediately before the incident. This information provided engineers a starting point in their investigation to determine whether a mechanical malfunction contributed to the incident.