Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer
440-838-0640, 440-832-9540
www.maddenfe.com
Fixed Fee Preliminary Accident Evaluation Available
M adden A ccident A nalysis, I nvestigation, R econstruction
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Forensic E ngineering & Scientific Accident Reconstruction over 30 Years Investigating, Analyzing, Reconstructing & Testifying about Accidents Contact us at ? 440-838-0640 or ? 440-832-9540 or ? [email protected]
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General Information
Senior Forensic Engineer
Links to Specialty Pages
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Main Forensic Specialties
Basic Forensic Specialties
Accidents involving Consumer Products covered on this page are analyzed for:
effects of ? Mechanical Integrity ? Stability ? Performance ? Control ? Operation and issues related to ? Safety Design ? Safety Features ? Warnings ? Safeguards
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to top of page Consumer Products by Categories - links to content on this page
The set of categories listed below are provided for the convenience of the user of this webpage in finding particular consumer products, but are not the only way products could be categorized. Thus, if you are looking for a particular product, you may find looking at the complete list of products or using Ctrl-F (Page Search) to be useful in this search. The products listed on this webpage are examples of consumer products analyzed. The listings on this webpage do not include all the consumer products analyzed.
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includes the investigation and reconstruction of accidents associated with these products, and the investigation and engineering analysis of operation and/or failure of the involved product, when either occurs.
Our work includes assessment of the activities of the persons involved in the accident as these activities relate to the product involved. Engineering analysis of the design, construction, and assembly of the involved product is included in our work. In particular we assess and evaluate the conformance of the equipment to the requirements of Safety Design principles and the applicable Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices. We determine the requirements for the presence of safety features including Safeguards (such as mechanical guards and instrumentation) and Warnings , and determine whether the required safety features were in place and performing properly at the time of the subject accident. Our work includes assessment of the operation of the involved product, particularly as it relates to safety and the accident events, both as a result of the accident events and as the cause of accident events, when either, or both, is the case. Our engineering analyses of consumer products cover mechanical failure, safety design and safety features. Safety features analyzed include safeguards (such as mechanical guards and instrumentation) and warnings. These analyses are for the purpose of determining the safety of these products, and if they are unsafe, the source of this defect. Our engineering analyses are discussed further in ' Our Engineering Analysis ' below. Also see 'Typical Work' below for other activities typically involved in our work. Click on the red underlined words in this website to link to the sections named. Our reconstruction of accidents involving consumer products determines whether such products caused or contributed to the accident. Work in this area also includes determining whether revision of the product was feasible and required for safety. We have analyzed a broad range of consumer products. Example of the products that have been analyzed are included in ' Examples of Consumer Products We Have Analyzed ... ' below. Our analysis of consumer product accidents includes consideration of the human-mechanical interface in the accident, as understood through Human Factors and from extensive experience in the safety design of mechanical equipment. See ' Experience and Qualifications... ' below for this experience and the other qualifications for work with Consumer Product Accidents. Also see ' 'Engineering Design ' on another page for examples of equipment, equipment systems and facilities designed while a design engineer. See ' Human Factors ' on another page for more information regarding Human Factors work with the forensic work. Also see ' Safeguards ' , ' Warnings ' , ' Safety Design ' and ' Codes and Standards ' on other pages for more information regarding work in these areas as it relates to the forensic work.
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Commonalities in mechanical Consumer Products - are important in the forensic analysis of accidents and incidents and the analysis of the involvement of such consumer products in an accident. Different types of consumer products (as well as industrial, commercial and construction equipment) have the same or very similar requirements for mechanical integrity, stability, safety design, safety features and performance, control and safe operation, as they relate to safety. Mechanical integrity is the ability of equipment and products to avoid failure under various conditions. Safety design covers techniques and features to provide fail-safe design (a design that will not allow the creation of a safety hazard as a result of a failure or mis-operation). Safety design also covers techniques and features to design out hazards for aspects of the product that impact safety. Safety features include safeguards, such as mechanical guards and safety instrucmentation, and warnings . Product features for mechanical integrity, and safety, and their use, when applicable, are similar or the same among various types of mechanical consumer products*. The requirements for mechanical integrity, and performance, control, operation and potential mis-operation, as they relate to safety, and specific safety features are determined primarily by the potential hazards, with considerations of how the product will be used, not the type of product, whether designed and sold as consumer products, or as industrial, commercial and construction equipment. Consumer Products and the need for mechanical integrity, stability, performance and control, as they relate to safety, and safe operation, and safety features as related to an accident, are analyzed by us using generally accepted engineering and safety design principles, including the safety design hierarchy. These engineering principles have application to all mechanical consumer products and all mechanical consumer product accidents, and are used in the analysis of the requirements for, and the use and performance of, safety features in consumer products. The safety effects, if any, of the requirements of applicable Standards & Codes are considered in all these analyses.
* chemicals used by consumers, such as household cleaners and gardening chemicals are covered on the Chemicals page of this website.
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E xperience and Qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E. in regard to accidents involving Consumer Products and Industrial, Commercial & Construction Equipment* * these accidents are analyzed using the same engineering principles and experience
? over 190 incidents involving mechanical consumer products and industrial and commercial equipment have been investigated, analzed and reconstructed as part of the forensic engineering work during over the last 30 years See more about our work with equipment and consumer products in the sections below . ? took extensive college coursework in engineering design of equipment ? designed and specified equipment , and equipment systems, including instrumentation and controls, warnings and s afeguards , during 17 years working in industrial operations and design engineering ? earned 2 Engineering degrees , Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering, and took additional post-degree coursework, with coursework in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and normal psychology ? earned the Professional Engineers license (P.E.) by taking the National Council of Engineering Examiners' (NCEE) examination in Fundamentals of Engineering and the Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering sections of the NCEE examination in Principles and Practices of Engineering ? designated a Diplomate Forensic Engineer by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers in accordance with the standards of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) ? at the start of forensic work, completed refresher and additional post-degree college credit coursework and continuing education coursework in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and materials ? attended the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) seminar on product liability ? attended engineering seminars presented by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers ? regularly attend additional technical courses and seminars each year to meet the requirements for continuing engineering education for the Professional Engineer's license ? over 45 years of engineering experience , with: ? 17 years experience in industrial operations, engineering design and construction assistance ? over 30 years experience in forensic engineering , including: ? testifying in over 100 depositions and over 90 trials ? issuing over 700 reports and over 70 affidavits ? working on over 1100 cases See more about qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E. on the Qualifications Page . See details of the forensic work throughout this website, and a summary on the Employment Page . See details of the pre-forensic work on the Employment Page and the Engineering Design Page .
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O ur Engineering Analysis of Consumer Products
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Our Engineering Analyses of Consumer Products cover mechanical failure, safety design and safety features, particularly safeguards (including mechanical guards and instrumentation) and warnings , with the intent to:
determine whether consumer products involved in accidents were defective, in regard to safety, in:
- their design
- their manufacture
- their installation
?
determine whether such products had appropriate safeguards, such as guards, safety instrumentation, etc. ? determine whether such equipment conformed to appropriate:
- accepted engineering practices
- codes and standards
- regulations, including state and federal regulations for safety
Our reconstruction of accidents involving consumer products determines whether such products caused or contributed to the accident. Work in this area also includes determining whether revision of the product or related product systems was feasible and required for safety.
<< click for a description of the typical activities and work performed << click for examples of Consumer Products analyzed
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? determine whether such products had adequate warnings
E xamples of Consumer Products We have Analyzed • including residential and recreational products, and vehicles
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We analyze equipment that was involved in accidents for mechanical failure, safety design and the presence of required safety features, particularly safeguards , such as barrier guards, light curtains, dual operating buttons, safety instrumentation, etc., and warnings .
Examples of equipment which has been analyzed to date include: ? residential and lawn maintenance:
- walk-behind lawnmowers
- riding lawnmowers
- snowblowers
- string trimmers
- ladders, etc.
? infant and young children products:
- strollers
- highchairs
- child car seats, etc.
? recreational equipment and equipment for outdoors:
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- swimming pools and decks
- grills
- playground equipment
- exercise equipment
- bicycles, etc.
? motor vehicles:
- automobiles
- motorcycles
- trucks, etc.
?
- various types of chairs
- kitchen appliances
? residential structural components*:
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- glass doors
- windows
- interior and exterior steps and stairs and their handrails
* also see the Premises page for more information about equipment installed with buildings and structures (in another website in a separate adjoining browser tab) ? products involved in fires and explosions*:
- motorboats
- personal watercraft ("jet skis")
- furnaces
* also see the Fire and Explosion page and the Hazardous Combustion page for more information about equipment involved in fires and explosions (in another website in separate adjoining browser tabs) ? products involved in incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning*:
- gas-fired residential furnaces and heat circulation systems
- wood-burning residential furnaces and heat circulation systems
- gas-fired space heaters
* also see the Hazardous Combustion page for more information about equipment involved in carbon monoxide poisonings
See the Equipment page for mechanical equipment most commonly encountered in Industry, Commercial facilities, Maintenance and Construction use, but which may also be used by consumers.
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O ur Typical Work Activities and Products, when warranted by the case Our work investigating, analyzing and reconstructing accidents, and presenting the results, may include any or all of the following, depending on the needs of the case: ? inspection of the accident site , such as a roadway, outdoor facilities, building or industrial facilities inspection of the involved equipment , in current condition, including in damaged condition (such as crashed vehicles); and when available for operation, during operation (such as industrial equipment) ? ? photography and/or video of the accident site and involved equipment ? interviewing witnesses (often during the inspection of the accident site, product and/or equipment) review and study of case documents, evidence and applicable codes, standards, regulations and recommended practices ? ? testing accident items and exemplar items (such as consumer products) drawings, calculations, graphical analyses, computer analyses , etc. as required to analyze and reconstruct the accident, and to present the engineering analysis and reconstruction ? ? written reports and affidavits , and exhibits coordinating or interfacing with others while they are preparing specialized exhibits such as video animations and videos of demonstrations ? ? testimony in deposition , trial and arbitration
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P resentation of results of our work We present the results of our investigations, engineering analyses and reconstructions in the client's choice of any, or all, of the following: ? verbal reports, by telephone or in face-to-face conferences ? written reports and affidavits ? deposition testimony, including video deposition ? trial testimony and arbitration testimony
F orensic Engineering Work by Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E. James D. Madden, P.E., while performing Forensic Engineering work full-time for over the last 30 years , for both plaintiff and defendant, has to date: ? completed over 1100 cases ? written and issued over 700 reports ? written and issued over 70 affidavits ? testified in over 90 trials ? testified in over 100 depositions For more on qualifications see the Qualifications Page . <<< Click on the underlined text.
Consultation with James D. Madden, PE, a Professional Engineer, and Forensic Engineering Consulting and Testifying Expert Witness, is available to the client at all times during the work - before, during, and after the investigation, engineering analysis, reconstruction, report, and any other work on the case.
Consultation is available before starting a case. We invite you to There is no charge for an initial phone consultation. Call us, or if you prefer we can schedule the consultation in advance.
Q ualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer
The qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer, Consulting and Testifying and Accident Reconstruction Engineer , are listed on the Specialties Work Page . <<< Click on the underlined text.
D ownloads and Links - Curriculum Vitae, Email and Bookmark
Download a Summary or Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume' for James D. Madden, P.E., email us, and bookmark this website.
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C ontact information
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F ee Schedule
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Contact us to discuss your case by phone at NO CHARGE . This consultation can be scheduled in advance to meet your schedule.
G eographic Area of Practice - North America
Over the last 30 years we have regularly worked on accidents which occurred in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and nearby , including inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, with reports and testimony. During these 30 years we have also worked on accidents which occurred in other states , and equipment and facilities located in other states, with inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, from Utah and Kansas to Vermont and North Carolina, with reports and testimony for these accidents, when applicable.
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction 1700 West Market Street, Suite 318, Akron, Ohio 44313 or contact us for our Cleveland Ohio address phone: 440-838-0640 or 440-832-9540, fax: 440-838-1192 email address: [email protected]
MAAIR MAAIR MAAFE
Copyright 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 by Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, and by James D. Madden, P.E. All rights reserved. This website contains photographs which are licensed with restrictions that prohibit downloading, reproduction, re-publication or re-transmission. Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions routinely for accidents / incidents and cases located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York , in the technical areas which are noted in this website, as well as providing expert reports and testifying in court proceedings in these states in the capacity of an Expert Witness , including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials. Forensic Engineering work has also performed in, and/or for cases in, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, Kansas and Utah, with testimony in deposition and court in West Virginia and Kansas. Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions for accidents / incidents and cases in the metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown, Mansfield, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Lima, Findlay, Marietta and Steubenville, Ohio, as well elsewhere throughout Ohio, and the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as elsewhere throughout western and central Pennsylvania, and the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron, Michigan, as well as elsewhere in southern Michigan, and the metropolitan areas of Buffalo and Syracuse, New York, as well as elsewhere in western and central New York state. In many of these areas James D. Madden, P.E. has provided expert reports and testified in the capacity of an Expert Witness in court proceedings, including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials . Latest updates to the overall document and activity counts (reports, affidavits, cases, trials, and depositions), and counts of the number of individual specialty cases reported in this website were completed 7/15/2020. The updates of the overall document and activity counts and the counts of the number of individual specialty cases for the period between 12/2007 and 7/15/2020 were based only on the documents produced, and thus are under-counts (i.e. cases without a report or affidavit were not included in the counts). Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E., is available for Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses, Accident Reconstructions, and testimony in depositions, hearings, arbitrations, and trials, for cases located throughout North America.