Boating / Sailing / Marine Personal Injury Accidents Expert Witnesses: 9

George Zeitler, MSc, has over 30 years of experience in the Marine Industry in various regulatory, management, and consulting roles. He is an Accredited Marine Surveyor (Y&SC) by the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors and a Member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying.

Background Experience - Mr. Zeitler served 18 years as a USCG Marine Inspector / Casualty Investigator, and 7 years as a Class Society principal surveyor (DNV).  He then spent 1 year as VP of Operations for a niche cruise line. Mr. Zeitler went on to serve 5 years as a technical consultant for various segments of the marine industry, including 2 years as third party environmental auditor for criminal pollution cases. He has been an Accredited Yacht and Small Craft Surveyor for over 15 years. 

In 2002, Mr. Zeitler formed Zeitler Marine Services (ZMS), using his experience and knowledge to offer condition and valuation (pre-purchase and insurance) and damage survey services to the yachting and recreational boating communities in south Florida. He is currently the Director of the Chapman School of Seamanship Yacht and Small Craft survey course.

Litigation Support - Mr. Zeitler uses his vast experience verifying Compliance with Applicable Maritime Laws / Regulations through on site surveys and audits of client's vessels. His years of operational and regulatory enforcement help provide clients with a unique perspective that is key in identifying vulnerabilities onboard vessels as well as gaps in policies and procedures. He functions as a Court Appointed Monitor in situations where vessel operators are negotiating a plea agreement for a DOJ-approved Environmental Compliance Programs.

Areas of Expertise:

• Vessel Design and Construction
• Vessel Compliance with International and US Laws and Regulations
• Compliance with Federal and Voluntary (ABYC) Standards for Yachts and Small Craft
• Casualty Investigation
• Vessel Operations
• Cruise Ship Management, Operation, and Safety
• Environmental Compliance and Auditing

Dr. Alan Steinman is an expert in Maritime Medicine with particular emphasis on Sea-Survival, Drowning and Hypothermia. He has served as Surgeon General and Director of Health and Safety for the U.S. Coast Guard, as medical advisor to the Coast Guard's Chief of Operations, and as rescue physician on numerous Coast Guard search and rescue missions. He has an international reputation in hypothermia and cold-water survival.

Dr. Steinman is widely published in the field of environmental medicine, including a chapter on immersion hypothermia in a leading textbook of emergency medicine. His research into human cold-water immersion and hypothermia merited the prestigious Arnold D. Tuttle Award from the Aerospace Medicine Association. The results from his human hypothermia studies contributed to the basis of current U.S. Coast Guard cold-water survival time charts.

Dr. Steinman is Board Certified in Occupational Medicine; he is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. His Doctor of Medicine degree is from the Stanford School of Medicine; his post-graduate medical training was at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine and the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Dr. Steinman has experience in both federal and state courts serving as an expert witness in numerous cases involving sea-survival, drowning, and hypothermia.

Quality Forensic Engineering, LLC is a full-service forensic engineering firm, providing engineering support to clients in the areas of accident reconstruction, premises liability, and product liability.  With over 20 years of experience for each of our senior engineers, we utilize the latest technology for documenting evidence and retrieving data including FARO 3D scanning, aerial drone imaging, and black box downloads.  Our forensic engineers are mobile, supporting clients throughout the U.S. We are headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida with remote locations in Jacksonville, Florida; Tampa, Florida and Tucson, Arizona.

Dr. Brian Pfeifer, P.E. - Dr. Pfeifer has over 25 years of experience investigating and testifying in cases involving a variety of forensic engineering issues. He is a leading expert in accident reconstruction, roadside safety, maintenance of traffic, commercial vehicle accidents, and the analysis of mechanical systems and product failures. 

Dr. Pfeifer has a strong background in the design, development, and implementation of roadside safety hardware including guardrails, bridge rails, and crash cushions. Over 33 patents have been filed worldwide on behalf of Dr. Pfeifer and associated colleagues who invented safer guardrail systems, vehicle storage systems, shipping container handling systems, and material handling and storage methods. He has utilized his technical knowledge and understanding of patents to assist in a number of matters involving patent litigation.

Dr. Pfeifer has published numerous papers to various organizations, covering topics such as new guardrail systems, energy absorbing guardrail terminals, breakaway sign mechanisms, and material handling technology. He has shared his expertise with many organizations on topics including vehicle collisions, bicycle accidents, roadway construction zones, and accident reconstruction expert witness utilization. Dr. Pfeifer is a registered Professional Engineer in three states and he continues to refine his skills and knowledge of accident reconstruction and roadside safety by staying current with new technology and best practices.

Expertise:

Automobile Collisions Tractor / Trailer Collisions Guardrails / Bridge Rails Construction Zones Bicycle Accidents Pedestrian Accidents

Roadside Safety Occupant Kinematics Industrial Accidents Airbag Control Module (ACM) Analysis Tractor Trailer Electronic Control Module (ECM) Analysis Product Failure Analysis Patent Litigation Technical Analysis

Ms. Traci Campbell, P.E., CXLT - Ms. Campbell has over 20 years of experience investigating, analyzing, and testifying in matters involving a variety of forensic engineering issues. She is a leading expert in industrial accident reconstruction and human factors; slip, trip, stumble and fall analysis; application of standards, codes, and guidelines including OSHA, ANSI, ASTM, Life Safety, ADA and Building Codes; workplace safety related issues; forklift and material handling devices; construction machinery and workplaces; manufacturing equipment; and the analysis of workplace systems and product failures. Ms. Campbell has a strong background working in manufacturing and industrial workplaces including the design, development, and implementation of solutions to ensure safe work environments. She has also been credited as part of a team holding a patent related to safeguarding power hand tools with rotating discs. Her special interests include amusement park and theme park accidents and safety related issues. Ms. Campbell is also a CXLT - Certified XL Tribometrist (slip index evaluation) and a certified counter balance forklift operator.

Ms. Campbell has served as a presenter with the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) regarding slip, trip, stumble, and fall incidents. She has shared her engineering expertise with many organizations on topics including slip, trip, stumble, and fall incidents; electronic data in the realm of accident reconstruction; safety engineering and the engineering hierarchy; photogrammetry and other accident reconstruction techniques; OSHA compliance; and Industrial Engineering. Ms. Campbell is a registered and licensed Professional Engineer in five states and she continues to refine her skills and knowledge.

Expertise:

Industrial Accidents Slip / Trip / Fall Human Factors and Environment Interaction Pedestrian Kinematics Workplace Safety Retail and Restaurant Facility Safety OSHA & ADA Regulations Multi- Employer Workplaces ANSI / ASTM / Building Codes Elevators/Escalators

Industrial Equipment Forklifts and Material Handling Devices Parking Lot Safety Safety Engineering Guarding and Warnings Theme Parks / Recreation Safety & Facilities Product Failure Analysis Pedestrian Accidents Automobile Collisions Tractor / Trailer Collisions Bicycle Accidents

Mr. Chris Yates, P.E. - Mr. Yates has over 20 years of experience investigating cases related to a variety of forensic engineering issues. He is a Mechanical Engineer specializing in accident reconstruction involving autos, tractor-trailers, bicycles, pedestrians, and other roadway related incidents. His expertise also includes seat belts, occupant kinematics, product failure analysis, and electronic module downloads for both automobile airbag modules and tractor-trailer electronic control modules.

In addition to providing documentation, analysis, reports and testimony in forensics matters, Mr. Yates has been involved in the design of various products including safety guards for grinders and band saws, port container handling systems, vehicle and boat storage systems, warehouse material handling systems, and material handling systems for shipboard use.

Expertise:

Automobile Collisions Tractor / Trailer Collisions Bicycle Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Pedestrian Accidents

Occupant Kinematics Black Box Analysis Tractor Trailer Electronic Control Modules (ECM) Product Failure Analysis

Gerald (Gerry) Nielsen, PMP,  founder of Ocean Ridge Maritime, is a Project Management Professional with over 35 years of experience in the Commercial Maritime, Offshore, and Cruise Industries. Mr. Nielsen serves as an Expert Witness, Consultant, Project Manager, Surveyor, and Auditor for the Maritime and Offshore Industries. 

A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification combined with a background that includes a USCG Chief Engineers license and experience in ISM/ISO Auditing, Marine Surveying, and Emergency Response, Mr. Nielsen provides professional and personalized service and support when  needed.  

Past Positions Include: 

• Rig Assurance, Preservation (Stacking), and Reactivations - Transocean Offshore Drilling
• Global Consulting Operations (VP) - ABS Nautical Systems
• Maritime Audit Services (Director) - Carnival Corporation
• Environmental and Safety Management (Director) - Cunard Line Limited
• Designated Person Ashore - Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line
• New Construction Surveyor - American Bureau of Shipping
• ISM / ISO Auditor - American Bureau of Shipping
• Shipboard Engineer - Exxon Shipping Company and Global Marine Drilling

Litigation Support: Since the Exxon Valdez incident and response, through development of DOJ mandated Compliance Programs, to conducting ECP Audits as Third Party Auditor, Mr. Nielsen has been providing consulting services related to litigation.  In recent years, Ocean Ridge Maritime has been engaged for Jones Act Injury Cases, Regulatory (Environmental) Compliance Audits, Technical Opinions related to Oil Spill damages, and MARPOL Compliance.

Areas of Expertise:

PMI certified Project Management Professional Offshore Project Assurance / Acceptance Testing Marine and Offshore Survey Project Assurance and Commissioning

Asset Management and Maintenance Systems Risk Assessments / Audit Plan Development Safety Management System Development EHS Management Regulatory Compliance

View Ocean Ridge Maritime's Consulting Profile.

Timothy W. Monsees, is a partner with the firm of Monsees & Mayer, P.C. For over 30 years, he has focused his practice on litigating complex Personal Injury cases. 

Background - Mr. Monsees graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1981. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Kansas and Texas. Mr. Monsees is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Missouri Super Lawyers, Kansas City Business Journal “Best of the Bar”, and for many years has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell with an “A/V” rating. He regularly presents at seminars helping to instruct other attorneys on trial practice skills. 

Mr. Monsees restricts his practice to representation of injured parties in litigation of product liability, construction & industrial accidents, professional negligence, and medical malpractice. Mr. Monsees’ firm has received national recognition for litigation related to injuries from defective sporting equipment and from defective firearms. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Monsees provides expert witness services for counsel representing injured parties. He addresses issues related to rules violations, time limits, discovery omissions, trial strategies, procedure, standard of care, and ethical violations. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Legal Ethics
• Legal Malpractice
• Medical Malpractice
• Personal Injury
• Demonstrative Evidence / Exhibits

View Timothy Monsees' Consulting Profile.

Gerald M. Dworkin is a professional Aquatics Safety & Water Rescue Consultant for Lifesaving Resources, LLC. He has an extensive background in Aquatics Safety, Lifeguard Training and Operations, Water Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Surf Rescue, and Ice Rescue, EMS and Firefighting.  Along with several textbooks, he has written and published over 40 articles, and has consulted in over 500 drowning and aquatic injury litigation cases as both a Plaintiff and Defense Expert Witness.

Expert Witness Services

As an expert witness, Mr. Dworkin evaluates the Standard of Care as it pertains to Incident Prevention, Victim Recognition, and Emergency Management and provides accident reconstruction, depositions, written reports, and courtroom testimony. 

His Areas of Expertise Include:

• Lifesaving, Lifeguarding and Aquatics Safety
• Water Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Surf Rescue, and Ice Rescue
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) & Basic Life Support
• Mechanisms & Physiology of Drowning
• Drowning and Aquatic Injury Prevention and Emergency Management
• Lifeguard Training and Operations
• Mechanisms and Emergency Management of Diving Accidents

Jon Mitchell “Mitch” Jackson, Esq. was admitted to the California Bar in 1986 and immediately opened up his own practice representing victims of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death. In 2009, Mr. Jackson was named an Orange County “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. In 2013, Mr. Jackson received the California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) Award for litigation. According to California Lawyer Magazine, the CLAY Award recognizes attorneys who have: "

"changed the law, substantially influenced public policy or the profession, or achieved a remarkable victory for a client or for the public and have made a profound impact on the law."

His firm, Jackson & Wilson, is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, an exclusive listing reserved for less than 5% of all distinguished law practices in the United States. Several earlier recognitions include Mr. Jackson being named as a “Southern California Super Lawyer” and an ability rating of 10.0 or Superb by the AVVO lawyer rating system. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Jackson has obtained numerous multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. He is also a multiple time member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (membership limited to those attorneys having obtained million dollar plus verdicts and settlements). In his spare time, he has served as a Judge Pro Tem, and arbitrator with the Orange County Superior Court and attorneys fee mediator with the Orange County Bar Association.

 

Mitch Jackson on Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Mr. Jackson is active with the local and national legal community including the Orange County Bar Association, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and National Trial Lawyers Association. 

Litigation Support - Mitch Jackson serves as an Expert Witness in Legal Malpractice cases. With decades of experience litigating Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Mr. Jackson's opinions are unbiased and well-founded. His services are available to both Plaintiff and Defendant. 

Areas of Expertise:

Large Truck Accidents Slip and Fall Injuries Spinal Cord and Paralysis Injuries Animal Attacks Head and Brain Injuries Drowning Burn Injuries Boat and Watercraft Accidents

Construction Accidents Hazardous Products Insurance Bad Faith Cases Medical Malpractice Product Liability Professional Malpractice Railroad Accidents Wrongful Death

View Mitch Jackson's Consulting Profile.

Capt. David G. Bacon, is a Maritime Expert with over 30 years of vessel charter experience. He has a United States Coast Guard Captains License (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel - unlimited tonnage). Capt. Bacon's vessel charters include fishing, research, cruising, eco-tours, whale watching, diving, kayaking, photography, oil seeps, and oil spills. As owner/operator, and captain of WaveWalker Charters, he has decades of vessel operations experience with zero accidents and zero injuries. Capt. Bacon is experienced with crew training, safety procedures, crew drills, and practice. The Founder and Executive Director of a nonprofit organization providing at-sea educational adventures for special-needs children and adults, he has extensive knowledge of passenger safety orientation and creating/maintaining a safe environment for passengers, including special-needs passengers in for-profit and nonprofit (501c3) ventures.

Litigation Support - Capt. Bacon offers expert witness services to attorneys for both Plaintiff and Defendant and has successfully performed in depositions and testimony.  His cases include:

Boating Accidents Vessel Collision, Damage, Sinking Vessel Operations and Safety Seaworthiness Drownings Yachts

Jet Skis Sport Fishing Charter Boat Liability Boating Captain / Crew Responsibilities Marine Electronics and Navigation Boat Equipment Failures

Capt. Bacon has spent 30+ years participating as a technical writer for marine electronics and electrical journals, work procedures, user manuals, magazine articles, on-line publications, and social media. He is a public speaker with 15 years of experience hosting seminars, informational/motivational lectures, and presentations for civic organizations and clubs.

View Capt. Bacon's Consulting Profile.

Captain Arlen Leiner, MMS, AMS is an Accredited Marine Surveyor, Master Marine Surveyor. He has an engineering degree from the University of Toledo, with a Masters's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a subcategory of Marine Combustion Engines. He is trained for MARPOL, SOLAS, and IMO. 

Capt. Leiner has performed Marine Surveys and Inspections in Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, nation, and worldwide( including Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America, and Asia a. He is considered an expert in the marine inspection industry. 

Litigation Support - In his 52 years of surveying boats and other watercraft, Capt. Leiner has provided expert witness testimony in marine litigation involving vessels of any size or type. This includes numerous depositions and trials in state and federal courts, with each damage and casualty survey prepared so that findings can be defended in a court of law. 

Capt. Leiner is qualified to analyze evidence, form a professional opinion, and communicate his findings to a jury. His services are necessary for litigation in many situations, requiring an expert evaluation of any vessel's value or seaworthiness. These situations can include:

Marine Surveys Boating Accidents Divorce Settlements Insurance Settlements Injury and Death

Damage Claims Vessel Warranties Product Liability Manufacturing Faults Claims Disputes

View Captain Leiner's Consulting Profile.