Mechanical Failure Expert Witnesses: 23

Non-testifying consulting support for counsel on matters involving fall protection and access systems, including BMU, suspended, and permanent access systems (U.S. and International)

Rauch Safety & Engineering provides non-testifying technical consulting to counsel in matters involving fall protection systems, façade access systems (including Building Maintenance Units – BMUs), and permanent access infrastructure.

Engagements are typically initiated prior to expert designation to evaluate the technical validity of a claim, defense, or opposing position. This allows counsel to determine whether a matter is structurally sound before proceeding into formal expert pathways.

Work focuses on system failures, installation alignment, and responsibility across design, manufacturing, and construction, particularly where breakdowns occur between design intent and real-world conditions.

Scope includes analysis of:

• System design and engineering intent 
• Installation and commissioning conditions
• Lifecycle use and maintenance environments
• Alignment with applicable standards (OSHA, ANSI, IWCA)

RSE is engaged to:

• Evaluate case feasibility and technical merit
• Identify system failures, misalignment, and responsibility gaps
• Analyze construction defects and performance issues
• Review and assess opposing expert reports 
• Determine design vs. installation discrepancies 

RSE operates independently of contractors, manufacturers, and installers, providing unbiased technical evaluation grounded in real-world system behavior across the full system lifecycle.

All engagements are strictly non-testifying and available across U.S. and international matters.

Key Services

• Early Case Technical Evaluation (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Construction Defect & System Performance Analysis (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Failure Analysis – Fall Protection & Access Systems
• BMU / Façade Access System Review
• Suspended Access & Permanent Access System Evaluation
• Commissioning & Installation Condition Review (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Lifecycle & Maintenance Condition Assessment (Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• OSHA / ANSI / IWCA Standards Interpretation (as applicable to Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Expert Report Review & Rebuttal Support (Non-testifying, Fall Protection & Access Systems)
• Design vs. Installation Discrepancy Analysis (Fall Protection & Access Systems)

Positioning Statement

RSE provides non-testifying consulting support to counsel requiring a clear, technically grounded understanding of fall protection and access systems and their real-world performance, particularly in matters where design, manufacturing, installation, and operational realities intersect.

Areas of Expertise:

Fall Protection Systems Failure Façade Access Systems Failure Building Maintenance Units (BMU) Failure Suspended Access Systems Failure Permanent Access Systems Roof Anchor Systems Failure Lifeline Systems Failure Suspended Platform Failure Construction Safety Failure Building Maintenance Accident Construction Defect Analysis Construction Dispute Support Design vs Installation Discrepancies

System Performance Failure Infrastructure Access System Failures Access System Commissioning Issues Installation vs Design Intent Conflict Contractor Responsibility Analysis OEM Responsibility Analysis OSHA Compliance Review ANSI Standards / IWCA Standards Failure Analysis Construction Systems Mechanical Building Systems Lifecycle System Analysis Commissioning Review Maintenance Conditions

View Rauch Safety and Engineering's Consulting Profile.

Expert Background: Dr. Thomas L. Read is the Principal and CEO at A. Read Consulting, LLC. He received his PhD. from Stanford University in 1972 and has over 25 years of manufacturing experience in electronics, metallurgy, factory safety, failure analysis, glass fracture, glass failure and bottle failure. As a member of the electronics industry, he has earned process patents and has an extensive background in manufacturing techniques. In parallel, Dr. Read has spent over twenty five years as a consultant to attorneys and engineers. He has given more than 100 depositions and has appeared in court numerous times. Company Profile: Read Consulting, LLC is a full service laboratory providing services in the following areas:

• Failure Analysis; Factory Safety and Personal Injury (including machine guards and manufacturing safety)
• Glass Failure Analysis - Glass Fracture, Glass Failures and Bottle Failure
• Metal and Ceramic Failure
• Grinding Wheel Failures
• Intellectual Property and Patent Disputes
• Product Liability and Product Quality
• Manufacturing Disagreements (such as Intellectual Property, Failed equipment and Contract Disputes)
• Reverse Engineering

Since 1988, Real-World Forensic Engineering, LLC ("RWFE") has provided engineering services to industries and government labs, as well as litigation support to both plaintiff and defense attorneys practicing in many areas.

RWFE Areas of Expertise Include:

Components & Machinery Metallurgy & Corrosion Dynamics of Impact & Collisions Friction Analysis / Slips, Trips and Falls Intellectual Property & Patent Review Accident Reconstruction / Animation Computer Aided Design Education & Training

Electrocution & Switch Malfunction Grounding & Lightning Protection Lightning Impulse Testing Products and Premises Liability & Safety High-Voltage & Current Power Systems Bridge Design and Safety Fire & Explosion Cause and Origin And Much More...

At RWFE, we proudly distinguish ourselves by our Four C's:

CREDENTIALS. COMPETENCE. CREDIBILITY. COMMUNICATION.

Credentials:	B.S., M.S., M.Eng., M.B.A., J.D., and Ph.D. Degrees Licensed Professional Engineers in Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering Tenured University Professors and Professionals NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators (CFEI) Licensed Master Electricians
Competence:	Over 80 Combined Years of Experience in Engineering R&D, Industry, Academia, Consulting, and Expert Witness Litigation Support Over 120 Combined Deposition and Court Testimonies
Credibility:	Internationally Recognized in Our Areas of Expertise More Than $19 Million in Peer-reviewed and Funded Research Grants Over 200 Combined Scientific Publications and Journal Articles
Communication:	Over 20 Different Undergraduate and Graduate-level University Courses Over 30 Invited Short Courses, Talks, and Lectures

Design Evaluation – Accident Investigation – Intellectual Property - Failure Analysis – Fire Cause & Origin – Component Testing - Computer Aided Drafting – Accident Animation - Expert Witness & Litigation Support

www.ExpertEngineering.com

Mechanical Engineer - Turbomachinery Expert. Gas turbine engines, steam turbines, jet engines, compressors, pumps, expanders, generators, cogeneration, combustion equipment, diesel engines, and reciprocating compressors. 

Failure analysis, stress analysis, mechanical design, design analysis, troubleshooting, performance analysis, durability assessment. Access to metallurgical laboratory. Experienced Expert witness. 

Please see our Service List at https://sbkushnick.com/servicelist.pdf for a concise description.

Bransford Pickett, PE, DFE, BSc, MScBA, has over 25 years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer. SEFS expertise includes design and review of material handling equipment, material handling management, and ship board systems. SEFS offers litigation support services for Accident Investigation and Reconstruction covering failure analysis, process simulation, regulatory compliance, equipment reliability, and personal injury / safety. His materials handling and engineering services are offered to attorneys, insurance and end user companies nationally and internationally.

Mr. Pickett is a member on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30 committee on Safety Codes and Standards for cranes and rigging as well as a member of several subcommittees. He is also a member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers P30 Committee- Planning for the Use of Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Cableways and Lifting Accessories. ASME BTH Standards Committee.

Mr. Pickett is a Professional Engineer, and holds a BSE from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a MScBA in Finance from San Diego State University, as well as a board certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer. He has qualified as an expert witness in the State of New York Supreme Court and the State of California Supreme Court.

Accident Investigation:

• Man baskets, Forklifts, Scissors Lifts, Aerial Lifts, Rigging Gear, Hydraulic Jacks, and Hydraulic / pneumatic Lift Systems, Automotive Lift Systems, Conveyors, Pallet and Packages Conveyors, Pneumatic Systems, Machine tools, Boats, Barges, and Elevators
• Tower, Mobile, Bridge, Truck, Portal, Container, Jib and Floating Barge Cranes, and Derricks
• Operator training compliance to National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, NCCCO, requirements for tower crane, mobile crane, overhead crane, articulating crane operator training and certification, signal person, and rigger certification
• Compliance covers applicable national and international standards that include the ABS, ASTM, ASM, ASME, ANSI, WSTDA, ALI, etc. and DIN, EN, FEM to list a few. National regulations include state and federal OSHA requirements as well as DOE, military specifications and standards

View Bransford Pickett's Consulting Profile.

Dan W. Wall, BSME, specializes in the fields of Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics and Motor Vehicle Injury Causation, Human Factors, and Injury Prevention in Motor Vehicle Design. Mr. Wall is fully accredited with ACTAR (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction), ACTAR No. 1140.

Dan Wall has conducted scientific and engineering analysis of motor vehicle collisions since 1987 for both plaintiff and the defense in civil and criminal cases. A qualified expert witness since 1987, he has offered litigation support services to insurance companies and attorneys in Arizona, California, Colorado, Tennessee and Louisiana and has testified in both Civil and Federal Courts.

Mr. Wall's past cases have involved commercial vehicle design and analysis, insurance investigations, low speed collisions and injury analysis, motorcycle collisions and rider analysis, vehicle handling and dynamics, seat belt analysis and injury mitigation, tire failures and rollover analysis, general accident reconstruction, and roadway analysis. He has conducted human factor analysis including reaction and perception, environmental effects, and general driver behavior. With a large library and the tools needed to do all types of motor vehicle reconstruction investigations, Mr. Wall is an asset to any team.

Dan Wall currently owns and rides a Harley Davidson Ultra Electra Glide Classic motorcycle and has gone through various levels of motorcycle training. He also has extensive experience as a boat operator and Marine Instructor.

For more information, visit www.wallaccidentreconstruction.com

Also view Dan Wall's article in Attorney At Law Magazine at http://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/phoenix/2014/01/17/accident-reconstruction-expert-dan-wall/

Areas of Expertise:

Mechanical Engineering Biomechanics Human Factors Accident Reconstruction Failure Analysis Forensic Investigation Motor Vehicle Design Dynamics and Handling Motorcycles Commercial Vehicles Rollovers Signage

Conspicuity Low Speed Collisions Marine Safety Bicycles Slip and Fall Accidents Pedestrians Accidents Tire Failure Seat Belt Issues Road Defects Off Road Driving Accidents Construction Zones Product Liability

View Dan Wall's Consulting Profile.

Erik Roeder has 40 years of troubleshooting, repair and maintenance of mechanical and electrical issues including Automotive, RV, Light Truck, and Marine. He provides a combination of hands-on work along proven forensic skills.  As an expert witness, his cases ldeal with Mechanical; Electrical; RV Systems and Envelopes; Vessel Propulsion; Systems; and Post Incident/Post Repair Inspections. Erik's opinions and testimony have served plaintiffs and defendants state and federal courts.

Automotive Expert Witness with 18+ years as owner of Reflex Automotive in Hooksett, NH. Specializing in Automotive Repair Disputes, Insurance Claims, Warranty Analysis (Magnuson-Moss), and Dealer vs. Independent Service Practices. 

Deep technical knowledge in European vehicle diagnostics, particularly Audi and Volkswagen systems, as well as all domestic and Asian makes. Pioneered digital vehicle inspections using photo and video documentation. 

Won 2 trials. 200/hr case review, 250/hr deposition.