Exercise / Fitness Equipment Expert Witnesses: 7

Jose J. Granda, PhD, PE, is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the California State University in Sacramento, CA. Prof. Granda is a Professional Registered Mechanical Engineer with almost 40 years of experience in the industry. A NASA Fellow, he served as a NASA public spokesman for 17 space shuttle missions.

Degrees and License:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Davis
• ME in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
• MS in Mechanical Engineering,  National Polytechnic University, Ecuador
• PE (Professional Engineer) License in Mechanical Engineering

Specialized Training: Vehicle Dynamics and Design, Vehicle Safety and Crash Reconstruction, Accident Bio-mechanics, Finite Element Modeling in Computer Aided Design, Advanced Mechanical Design and Failure Analysis, CSUS;  Motorcycle Accident reconstruction;  EDR Certification, Tech 1, Tech II,  EDR Analysis Certification, Collision Safety Institute;  Applying Automotive EDR Data to Traffic Crash Reconstruction, SAE Society of Automotive Engineers International;  Advanced Accident Reconstruction Utilizing Human Factors course; Photogrammetry for Collision Reconstruction, Lightpoint Data; Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Reconstructions; Heavy Commercial Vehicles Accident Reconstruction

Litigation Support - Prof. Granda is an expert in Forensic Engineering and Accident Reconstruction using computer simulations. His cases include accidents involving vehicles and people. He offers services to attorneys for plaintiff and defendant which include thorough written reports, depositions, and trial experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Automotive Accidents Truck Accidents Bus Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Biomechanics Occupational / Workplace / Industrial Accidents Finite Element Modeling and Failure Analysis

EDR (Event Data Recorder) Analysis Speed Studies Patent Infringement Slip and Fall Visibility Fitness Equipment Cranes / Hoists / Lifts

 View Prof. Granda's Consulting Profile.

Harvey C. Voris’ entire engineering career has been devoted to the Fitness Industry. He has over 35 years of Fitness Equipment Design experience and has been issued 7 U.S. utility patents. Mr. Voris has a Bachelors of Science in Engineering from UCLA with a specialization in Bio Structural Mechanics. 

Mr. Voris' Masters in Engineering is from Cal State Long Beach where he specialized in Fatigue and Failure Analysis. He has spent 21 years devoted to the development and promotion of safety standards for the fitness industry. Mr. Voris has authored numerous standards and has chaired the ASTM committee devoted to fitness standards development since 1995. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Voris provides engineering analysis and accident reconstruction related to consumer and fitness products and facilities. His services are available to attorneys representing both plaintiff and defense. With 35 years of experience, a biomechanics background, and extensive experience in design and product testing, Mr. Voris speaks with authority on the following critical issues:

Product Liability - Patent Development - Patent Infringement - Facility Risk Management - Standards Compliance

View Harvey Voris' Consulting Profile.

The experts at Miller Engineering are Ann Arbor-based professional engineers celebrating 30 years of service to University, Government, Insurance, and Industry through research, publications, presentations, and testimony. Miller Engineering has a staff of engineers and experts in the Mechanical, Chemical, Agriculture, Industrial, and Human Factors fields of engineering with specific knowledge in the following areas: 

Vehicles Car/Truck Accident Reconstruction Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Visibility & Reaction Time Analysis Tires, Trailers, Brakes & Accelerators Truck/Off Road Vehicle Egress/Ingress Traffic Signing and Construction Zones Mechanical & Electrical Safety Product Safety & Analysis Machinery - Metal, Wood, Plastic Molding Machine Guarding & Safety, Robots, Automation Hazard and Risk Analysis Employee Safety Procedures – OSHA Electrical Distribution & Transmission Hazards

Warnings & Instructions Warning Labels & User Manual Design Hazard Analysis & Product Label Designs Medical Device & Drug Warnings & Instructions Inadequate Warnings Analysis Standard Compliance (ANSI Z535) Product Recall Information & Strategies Consumers/Household Safety Appliances & Tools Child Furniture, Choking, Playgrounds Swimming Pools & Exercise Equipment Recreation - ATV, Boats, Bicycles, Boards Ladder, Stair, Step and Railing Accidents Slip, Trip, & Fall Accidents

Chemicals Safety & Labeling NEW OSHA HAZCOM (2012) & GHS Review MSDS, SDS and Product Label Compliance Toxic Torts - Diacetyl, Asbestos, Benzene, Lead, Carbon Monoxide Vaping & E-Cigarette Health Effects Chemical Exposures & Workplace Safety Chemical Inhalation, Ingestion, Dermal Contact Contamination - Water & Environmental Manufacturing & Process Line Accidents Slips, Trips, Falls, & Entanglements Fires & Explosions Cause & Origin Investigations Gas, Vapor, & Electrical Spontaneous Combustion Vaping & E-cigarette Battery Failures

Agriculture Tractor & Equipment Accidents Chemical Applications & Exposures Crop Storage & Harvesting Accidents Pesticides Construction Vehicle Visibility Accidents Slip, Trip, & Fall Accidents Power Tool Repetitive & Immediate Injuries Scaffolding - Cranes - Hoisting - Fork Lifts Insurance Subrogation & Forensics Accident Investigations Electrical & Fire Causation Chemical Leakage Damage Defective Equipment Injuries Premise and Process Damages

James M. Miller, PE, PhD – Founder Dr. Miller is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Michigan College of Engineering and a registered professional engineer and consultant with over 30 years of experience as an expert witness. He has served as a consultant to industry and government and is highly qualified to give engineering testimony. Dr. Miller specializes in warnings, labeling and instruction manuals, consumer product design, machine guarding, process safety, fire science, vehicle visibility, tractor egress/ingress, pedestrian and worker slip and fall prevention, recreational vehicles (ATVs, boats, and personal watercraft), compliance with occupational safety and consumer safety standards (OSHA, MSDS, CPSC, ANSI, ASTM, UL, etc.).

Mark R. Lehto, PhD – Co-Founder Dr. Lehto is a Professor of Engineering at Purdue University. He completed his Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Michigan in 1985, where he specialized in Human Factors Engineering, in particular Warnings and Labeling. He has taught courses at Purdue in human and safety factors areas, as well as decision making and artificial intelligence. He has authored numerous professionally-reviewed articles, and he has authored / coauthored internationally-recognized textbooks in the areas of human factors and ergonomics. Dr. Lehto specializes in knowledge engineering, warnings and instructions, structuring expert systems, accident modeling, accident statistical analysis, consumer product safety, boating safety, in-field national surveys of product usage and product information effectiveness.

David R. Clark, PE, PhD – Co-Founder Dr. Clark is an Emeritus Engineering Professor at Kettering University. He was an engineering Ph.D. graduate from the University of Michigan, where he specialized in human factors engineering and system safety analyses. In particular, his earlier degrees in mechanical and electrical areas have given him a special expertise in electrical fire- and explosion-related accidents. Dr. Clark is also published on the topics of warnings and labeling. With considerable in-plant experience at General Motors, he is uniquely qualified to provide student theses and design projects while teaching at Kettering that deal with many types of mechanical and optimization projects. Finally, he has extensive experience working for loss control companies, performing over 150 fire origin and cause investigations in the past few years.

Laura Miele, PhD, CST-2, is a Sport, Fitness, and Education Expert with over 30 years of experience in various aspects of sport, fitness, and physical activity including the education, training, and supervision of athletes. Dr. Miele is a Nationally Certified Accredited Interscholastic Coach through the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) and has 14 years of physical education experience, (Pre-kindergarten-12) within multiple states across the country.  

Background Experience - Dr. Miele played Division I basketball at Arizona State; was Tight End for the Arizona Caliente, of the Women’s Professional Football League; and was also a New York Golden Gloves semi-finalist in 2004. She began coaching athletes in 1986 and has been involved as a personal exercise and fitness trainer since 1994.  She has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe as an athlete and coach and has been involved in consulting, coaching and teaching a wide range of sports including but not limited to; Basketball, Gymnastics, Volleyball, Softball, Baseball, Football, Archery, Bowling, Figure Skating, Hockey, Boxing, Wrestling, Field Sports, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Track and Field, and Tennis. 

Dr. Miele is a level 2 Certified Service Technician for the International Association of Trampoline Parks. She serves on the Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities Committee and currently serves and assists on the task force that is in the process of creating the standards for Amusement Challenge Areas. She has given numerous presentations on the topics of sport injury prevention as well as supervision and safety in Amusement Challenge Courses / Trampoline Parks Risk Management.

Litigation Support - Dr. Miele is an expert in fitness, sport and recreation with specific expertise in sports psychology, coaching, recreation, personal training, fitness facilities management/operations, and injury prevention. She is an accomplished athlete as well as an experienced trainer, coach and teacher. She provides expert witness services to attorneys for both plaintiff and defendant. Her services include thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. 

Dr. Miele has relevant experience in the proper teaching standards required by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) for the:

• Proper Supervision Before, During, and After School
• Skill Progression and Instruction
• Proper Use of Safety Equipment
• Practices related to the Role and Responsibilities of Teachers and Administrators  

Areas of Expertise:

• Fitness Facility Operations including Personal Training, Supervision, Risk Management, and Injury Prevention
• Physical Education, Sport and Recreation-Risk Management
• School / Teacher Supervision
• Proper Coaching Training Practices and Procedures in Sports
• Gymnastics, Trampoline Parks / Amusement Challenge Courses
• Emergency Preparation and Response in Schools, Fitness and Sport Facilities

Douglas Baumgarten, M.S., offers consulting and expert witness services related to Fitness, Health Clubs, Exercise Equipment, Personal Training and Sports. Mr. Baumgarten is a graduate of Harvard University and California University of Penna. (M.S. Exercise Science). He is a certified Health/Fitness Director (Amer. Coll. of Sports Medicine), Performance Enhancement Specialist, Medical Exercise Specialist, Bike Fitter, cycling coach, and baseball/softball official. 

Mr. Baumgarten has over 40 years in the fitness industry, as personal trainer, manager, consultant, equipment dealer, President of a large fitness company, and owner of SportFit Consulting. He has contributed to Fitness Management magazine, Boardroom magazine, Club Management magazine, and other publications.  

Litigation Support -  Mr. Baumgarten has over 15 years of experience as a legal expert, on cases from equipment accidents to health club employee conduct. He works with both plaintiffs and defendants, and has testified in civil and criminal courts.  Douglas Baumgarten has the experience and expertise to assist in cases involving:

Health Club Accidents Exercise Equipment Personal Training Gym Design

Baseball Accidents Softball Accidents Cycling Accidents Triathlons

The Rehberg Konin Group provides Litigation Support services in the area of Sport Safety and Reduction of Risk associated with accidents, illnesses and injuries using the most current evidence available. Their cutting edge practice and evidence-based approach ensures that their opinions are grounded in the latest scientific and professional evidence. A full-service consulting firm, The Rehberg Konin Group provides a wide range of services to the legal and insurance industries, including investigation, research and analysis, expert testimony at trial and depositions, expert reports, site inspections, document review, and on-site consulting during trial and depositions. They offer powerful and unbiased opinions and testimony for both plaintiff and defense cases. Their evidence-based approach means services grounded in the latest published research. 

Areas of Expertise Include:

Standard of Care Issues Adherence or Deviation from Industry Guidelines Supervision of Athletes and Participants Falls and Injuries Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Procedures Policies and Procedures Injury Prevention Programs Equipment Safety

Hazard Analysis and Mitigation Emergency Response Venue Safety and Protection Equipment Safety Youth Sports Participation Club / Gym Participation High School, Collegiate, and Professional Sports Participation Sports and Recreation

Dr. Jeff G. Konin, PhD, ATC, PT, FACSM, FNATA  Dr. Jeff Konin is currently the Director of Athletics at Eastern Connecticut State University, in Willimantic, Connecticut. Prior to this role, he was an Associate Professor and the Vice Chair of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine at the University of South Florida, in Tampa, FL, where he also served as the Executive Director of the Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma (SMART) Institute and the Director of the Graduate Athletic Training Program. Dr. Konin has an extensive background as a clinician, educator, administrator, author, and public speaker. www.experts.com

View The Rehberg Konin Group Consulting Profile.

Tom M. McLellan, Phd, is an Exercise and Environmental Physiologist whose expertise is in understanding the limitations of working in Protective Clothing, as well as developing strategies to Optimize Physical and Cognitive Performance During Sustained Operations.

Consulting / Litigation Support - Dr. McLellan works as a consultant researching and writing articles for clients in the United States and Canada’s Department of Defense. He also provides service as an expert consultant for legal firms and as an expert witness for the effects of caffeine in energy drinks. Projects include research support to the US Army, University of Ottawa, and Defence R&D Canada.

Dr. McLellan's areas of expertise include:

Exercise Physiology: Respiratory Physiology Acid-Base Regulation Blood Lactate Response Ergogenic Aids Nutritional Supplements Immuno-inflammatory Response to Acute and Chronic Stress

Heat Strain in Protective Clothing: Aerobic Fitness Heat Acclimation Hydration Gender Menstrual Cycle Body Composition Work / Rest Cycles

Background Experience - Dr. McLellan worked as a Defense Scientist at Defence R&D Canada in Toronto for 27 years before retiring from the Public Service in 2012. Dr. McLellan’s research expertise evolved during the original Gulf War in 1991 when the Allied Forces were in need of evidence-based recommendations for operating in the extreme environments of the Middle East while wearing Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Protective Clothing.

Dr. McLellan conducted numerous laboratory trials to study the influence of fitness, hydration, heat acclimation, sex, circadian rhythm, body composition, microclimate cooling, metabolic rate and the environment on heat tolerance while wearing the NBC clothing. His research led to work and rest guidelines for Canadian Forces personnel and other NATO Forces wearing the protective clothing. In addition, he was contacted and subsequently developed similar guidelines for the Toronto Fire Service and other Fire Services across Ontario, which led to a citation award from the Toronto Fire Service in 2004.

Dr. McLellan also established an expertise on the use of caffeine during sustained military operations to maintain physical and cognitive performance during these overnight clandestine operations that provide little opportunity for sleep. Together with military scientists in the United States and New Zealand several evidence-based field trials were conducted with Special Forces personnel to document the benefits of using a caffeinated gum during overnight periods of sleep loss. The findings led to the production of Stay Alert gum for use by deployed service personnel.

Author / Educator - Dr. McLellan has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles and government reports. Dr. McLellan was presented with an achievement award for outstanding collaborative research within the international community of military scientists four times over his career. He held adjunct appointments at York University in Toronto, was a full professor at the University of Toronto and currently holds an adjunct appointment at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario. He also served as an Associate Editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise for 7 years.