Ambulance Mount Failure:
Improper Installation Increases Patient Injury
Case Summary: Â An ambulance service and their driver were named in a lawsuit following a crash that injured the patient being transported. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which…
Driveshaft Failure
Car outer joint, driveshaft and control arm close-up. Inspecting a used front wheel drive vehicle by Ivan Radic is licensed under CC BY 4.0 Case Summary: The right front passenger…
More Than Just a Broken Part: Analysis of Mechanical Failures
There are numerous reasons why a product part might fail during use. While witness statements can provide some insight into what occurred during an incident, a mechanical engineer’s analysis can…
Investigating Ladder Falls: Equipment Failure or User Error?
Falls from ladders result in approximately 15,000 injuries and about 400 to 500 deaths each year. While there are numerous factors that can contribute to a fall from a ladder,…
How to Secure Your Child’s Car Seat Using LATCH
If you are like many parents and caregivers today, you are using LATCH to install your child’s car seat in your vehicle. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for…
Aerial Error: Firetruck Ladder Case Study
Case Summary: At the scene of a fire, a firefighter climbed a truck-mounted ladder to adjust the flow of water to better direct it onto the fire. He ascended the…
Paratransit Wheelchair Tiedown & Occupant Restraint
Case Summary: A paratransit service was transporting the plaintiff to a doctor’s appointment when their vehicle was involved in a minor crash. During the crash, the plaintiff, in their personal…
Seatbelt Failure Caused by Removal of Critical Component
Case Summary: An armored car was involved in a frontal collision with another vehicle. The guard, who was seated in the rear compartment in a forward-facing seat equipped with a…
Pull Up Bar Failure
Case Summary: One afternoon, two women were working out together at a fitness center. As part of their workout, they were doing hanging leg/knee raises on a long bar affixed…
