Construction Accident Reconstruction, Second Edition

Author: Jon R. Abele, Calvin Zemsky; Contributor: Robert E. Pershes ISBN 10: 0-913875-65-1 ISBN 13: 978-0-913875-65-0 Copyright Date Ed:  March 15, 2005 Pages: 329 pages Binding Information: Paperback Size: 6 ✕ 9 Inches (US) Litigation relating to construction site accidents appear on the court dockets of every judicial district throughout the country. The number of lawsuits filed because of accidents has grown year after year. Until now there has been no single place for a person to obtain the information of what a forensic engineer does when reconstructing an accident. This book, now in its second edition, fills that void. It has been updated and expanded throughout by Jon Abele, Esq. It also allows attorneys to learn the basics of forensic engineering while providing guidance to accident reconstructionists on how to conduct an investigation into a construction worksite accident. Construction Accident Reconstruction will introduce attorneys and engineers to the proper methods of investigating an accident case of this type. It is presented in a straightforward, yet lively manner that should inform and also challenge the reader to think about accident reconstruction in a new way so that they can better represent the workers injured on the construction site. This book presents the statistics of fatal and non-fatal accidents to acquaint the reader with the magnitude of the number of people who are seriously injured in the construction industry every year. Jobsite injuries are preventable, yet millions of workers suffer injuries when the proper preventative measures are not used. Failure to follow safety standards leads to lawsuits when workers are injured. Topics include: What causes accidents in the construction industry? What identifiable factors influence construction accidents? Why is the third party involved? Is the accident really the third party’s fault? How to investigate a construction industry accident? Can construction accidents be prevented? The engineer's role in construction accident litigation Using demonstrative exhibits in the preparation for trial A guide to OSHA rules and regulations Reviews and commentary on dozens of cases Leading OSHA Construction Violations Human error Material failure Mechanical failure This book is also available as an E-book. Click here to purchase and download: Table of Contents Chapter 1: Investigative and Legal Procedures Introduction Attributes of an Expert What Must Be Examined Lack of Education Available Mastery of the Technical Discipline Discrediting an Expert Case History The Investigator Must Be Unbiased Role of the Expert Rules for the Expert The "Hired Gun" Perform Work for Both Sides Requirements of an Expert Chapter 2: Management Techniques for a Forensic Engineering Office Operational Procedures New Case Form Employee Time Records – Recording Billable Time Telcon Form Expenses Contract Preparation Report and Exhibit Production Additional Exhibit Production Presenting the Corporate Image Evidence Storage Evidence Recording Company Policy Chapter 3: Fatal Accidents Fatal Accident Statistics Fatality Data Contact with Objects and Equipment Falls Summary Appendix 3.1 Appendix 3.2 Technical Notes Chapter 4: Non-Fatal Construction Accidents Appendix 4.1 Chapter 5: Caught In or Between Case No. 1 Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Case No. 4 Case No. 5 Case No. 6 Chapter 6: Trench Accidents (Cave-ins) Case No. 1 Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Case No. 4 Chapter 7: Overhead Accidents Case No. 1 Dropped Material From Above - Miami Seaport Bridge Pile Driver Case Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Chapter 8: Crane Accidents Case No. 1 Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Case No. 4 Case No. 5 Chapter 9: Falls from Elevations Case No. 1 - Improperly Installed Railings Building Code Requirements 3.0 OSHA Regulations Calculations Nail and Spike Sizes Withdrawal Load Design Values for Common Nails or Spikes Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Case No. 4 Case No. 5 Case No. 6 Chapter 10: Electrical Accidents OSHA Regulations Case No. 1 Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Case No. 4 Case No. 5 Case No. 6 Case No. 7 Chapter 11: Floor Collapses Case No.1 Background Analysis Order Case No. 2 Chapter 12: Tunnel Accidents and Explosions Case No. 1 Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Chapter 13: Roofing Accidents and Roof Collapses Case No. 1 Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Case No. 4 Decision and Order Case No. 5 Case No. 6 Case No. 7 Case No. 8 Case No. 9 Chapter 14: Leading OSHA Construction Violations Standards Cited for SIC 1500; All sizes; Federal Chapter 15: Engineering Firms and Contractors Case No. 1 Case No. 2 Case No. 3 Case No. 4 Case No. 5 Case No. 6 Case No. 7 Chapter 16: Expert Witnesses Initial Employment Deposition Testimony Trial Testimony Appendix 16.1 Appendix 16.2 Chapter 17: The Engineer and the Law Oral Agreements Written Agreements Theory of Liability