Heavy Equipment Repair Expert Witnesses: 3

D. Larry Dunville has over 45 years of Overhead Crane experience. Mr. Dunville has built, installed, engineered, estimated, sold, and serviced overhead bridge cranes. He has sat on the industry committees that wrote the crane specs for the steel industry, written articles, and taught professional architects and engineers about the special requirements required when designing buildings that will house overhead cranes. Larry was formerly the Executive Director of the Crane Certification Association of America and is currently on the ASME/ANSI B30.2 Overhead and Gantry Cranes Committee, ASME/ANSI B30.16 Overhead Hoists, and AIST (American Institute of Steel Technology) TR-13 Guide for the Design and Construction of Mill Buildings.

Business Experience

Mr. Dunville was the Owner and president of Dearborn Crane & Engineering Co., a builder and installer of overhead cranes and crane runway systems, from 1975 to 2012.  Mr. Dunville is the Owner and President of Overhead Crane Consulting, LLC (2016 to present). 

Speaking Engagements

Larry speaks on crane safety, crane inspection, and runway design. In the last year, he has spoken to AIST (American Institute of Steel Technology), CCAA (Crane Certification Association of America), CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America), and FEWA (Forensic Expert Witness Association). 

D. Larry Dunville's Video Introduction 

Litigation Support—Larry Dunville offers expert witness services in crane cases involving industrial, manufacturing, mining, warehousing facilities, and power plants. His expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants. 

Areas of Expertise:

View D. Larry Dunville's Consulting Profile.

Dax B. Wells, PE, is an experienced Mechanical Engineer with nearly 20 years in the design, development, testing, and failure analysis of Aerial Lifts and Agricultural Machinery. His career includes direct responsibility for engineering, product safety, structural analysis, prototype development, field evaluations, compliance testing, reliability assessments, and root-cause investigations for complex equipment systems.

Mr. Wells has extensive, hands-on experience with aerial work platform entrapment and tip over cases, including multiple serious-injury and fatal events. His work includes analyzing the interaction between equipment design, operator interaction, platform motion, safety devices, and environmental/jobsite factors. He brings a unique combination of technical engineering expertise, industry standards knowledge, and practical field experience that is critical for accurately assessing liability, causation, and defect allegations.

Litigation Support - Mr. Wells supports attorneys on both plaintiff and defense matters, including early case evaluation. He understands the urgency, clarity, and documentation standards necessary for litigation. He has conducted extensive and in-depth equipment failure analyses in support of attorneys for case evaluation and backing. With extensive experience in product design, development, and failure analysis, Mr. Wells has worked closely with attorneys on equipment assessments for safety risks and causation evaluations. He has experience in expert consulting including testimonial & evidence reviews, equipment assessment, case strategy, and report writing.

Areas of Expertise:

Mr. Wells possesses a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Completed a master’s of science degree with an emphasis in product development and manufacturing systems.  Licensed professional engineer (PE) and trained equipment operator on boom lifts, scissor lifts, and numerous types of construction & agricultural equipment.

David Smith is an experienced mechanical engineer (MS, PE) with seven issued patents. Award-winning inventor. Vice President of Alpine Engineering and Design, a mechanical engineering consulting company with clients around the United States ranging from individual inventors to Fortune 500 companies. Worked on the development of multiple successful products including among other things: aerial lifts, garbage trucks, thrill rides, ziplines, trailers, oil and gas equipment, exercise equipment, manufacturing equipment, and multiple consumer products. 

Graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Completed a master's of science degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA with an emphasis in product development. Licensed professional engineer (PE) and certified safety professional in comprehensive practice (CSP). Certified trainer for boom lifts, scissor lifts, rough terrain, and counterbalanced forklifts. Over 10 years of experience in product development, patents, equipment safety, and risk assessments. 

Experienced expert witness having drafted over 200 reports/declarations in patent cases and catastrophic injury and death cases. Designed and built multiple custom testing devices to obtain data and evaluate opinions. Created multiple demonstratives to explain the mechanics and circumstances of accident sequences and patented devices. Testified in deposition 11 times and in trial once.