Sidewalk Hazards Lead to Serious Injuries

Case Overview

This case revolves around an individual who sustained injuries while traversing a commercially owned sidewalk. The incident occurred when the individual allegedly tripped on cracked concrete, raising questions about the maintenance of public walkways and the liability of property owners. The need for expert analysis is critical to determine the contributing factors to the alleged hazardous condition, including potential construction defects, adherence to safety codes, and the responsibilities of various parties involved.

Questions to the Civil Engineering expert and their responses

Please describe your professional background in civil engineering, specifically as it pertains to your experience working on commercially owned sidewalks.

I've produced numerous engineering expert reports related to fall downs on sidewalks and other walking surfaces. I have over 30 years of extensive experience in matters related to infrastructure construction codes and standards, testifying experience, and experience teaching construction techniques at a university level.

Have you ever reviewed a similar case? If yes, please elaborate.

There are multiple parties with potential liability including the injured party, the owner of the sidewalk-adjacent property owner, and public utility owners should utility appurtenances be present on the sidewalk. Consideration must also be given to any potential construction defects that may have created the alleged hazardous condition. In those construction-related cases, OSHA's multi-employer workplace policy typically forms the framework for my analysis.

About the expert

This expert has over thirty years of experience in the field of civil and forensic engineering. He earned his BS in petroleum engineering from the University of Texas followed by his MS in civil engineering from Columbia University. Currently, this expert is a board-certified forensic engineer as well as a certified project management professional, forensic claims consultant, planning and scheduling professional, and construction auditor. Additionally, this expert is a licensed registered professional engineer in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Alabama, New York, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Florida. He also stays very active in his field as a member of many professional societies including the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Formerly, this expert was a production engineer at Texaco and later a senior project engineer at ExxonMobil. He also previously worked as the vice president and management consultant at Marsh Risk Consulting before working as an adjunct professor of engineering at Columbia University. Today, this experienced expert is the founder and managing principal consultant of an engineering consultancy located in New Jersey.

E-800657

Specialties:

Civil Engineering