Services: EXPERT WITNESS

With over 30 years of unparalleled expertise in the playground industry, our expert witness services provide authoritative, objective, and meticulously documented testimony and analysis for legal matters involving playgrounds. We serve playground owners, users, attorneys, plaintiffs, and defendants, offering clarity and credibility in cases related to safety, compliance, design, maintenance, or accidents. Our deep knowledge of industry standards, safety regulations, and best practices ensures that our contributions are both compelling and defensible in legal proceedings. Our expert witness services include:

• Case Analysis and Consultation: We begin by thoroughly reviewing case materials, including incident reports, photographs, maintenance records, design plans, and depositions. Our team provides detailed consultations to attorneys, identifying key issues such as non-compliance with safety standards, equipment defects, or inadequate maintenance. We help frame the case by pinpointing relevant industry standards and practices that apply, ensuring a robust foundation for your legal strategy.

• Compliance and Standards Expertise: Our testimony is grounded in an exhaustive understanding of playground safety regulations, including ASTM International standards (e.g., F1487, F1292), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) certifications. We evaluate whether the playground in question adhered to these standards at the time of the incident, providing clear, evidence-based assessments of compliance or deficiencies.

• Accident Investigation and Reconstruction: We conduct in-depth investigations to determine the root causes of playground accidents. This includes analyzing factors such as equipment design, installation errors, surfacing conditions, supervision practices, and user behavior. Using our industry expertise, we reconstruct incidents to assess whether the playground’s design, maintenance, or operation contributed to the event, delivering precise and objective findings.

• Detailed Reporting and Documentation: We provide comprehensive written reports that outline our findings, supported by technical data, photographs, diagrams, and references to relevant standards. Our reports are tailored to be clear and accessible to judges, juries, and legal professionals, while maintaining the rigor needed to withstand scrutiny. These documents cover topics such as equipment specifications, fall zone compliance, surfacing performance, and maintenance histories.

• Courtroom Testimony and Deposition Support: Our team delivers confident, articulate, and objective testimony in depositions, hearings, and trials. We explain complex technical concepts in a way that is understandable to non-experts, ensuring that our insights resonate with the court. We are experienced in both plaintiff and defendant representation, maintaining impartiality and focusing on factual, evidence-based analysis to support the case.

• Maintenance and Inspection Audits: In cases involving alleged negligence, we evaluate the playground’s maintenance and inspection records to determine whether owners or operators adhered to industry best practices. This includes assessing whether regular inspections were conducted by Certified Playground Safety Inspectors (CPSI), whether repairs were timely, and whether safety surfacing was maintained to meet impact attenuation requirements.

• Design and Installation Evaluations: We assess whether the playground’s design and installation met industry standards at the time of construction. This includes reviewing blueprints, equipment specifications, and installation records to identify potential flaws, such as improper spacing, inadequate fall zones, or non-compliant materials. Our findings help establish whether design or installation issues contributed to the incident.

• Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification: We identify potential hazards in the playground environment, such as entrapment risks, protrusion hazards, or insufficient supervision areas, and evaluate whether these were addressed in accordance with CPSC and ASTM guidelines. Our risk assessments provide a clear picture of whether the playground posed unreasonable dangers to users.

• Training and Supervision Analysis: In cases involving user injuries, we examine whether playground operators provided adequate supervision and whether staff were trained in accordance with industry standards. We reference guidelines from organizations like the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to assess whether supervision practices were sufficient to prevent accidents.

• Mediation and Settlement Support: Beyond courtroom testimony, we assist in mediation and settlement discussions by providing objective analyses that can facilitate resolutions. Our expertise helps parties understand the strengths and weaknesses of their case, promoting fair and informed negotiations.

Our approach is rooted in integrity and precision. We maintain strict impartiality, ensuring our findings are driven by facts and industry knowledge rather than advocacy for any party. Our process begins with an initial case review, followed by on-site inspections (if applicable), detailed analysis, and the delivery of reports or testimony. With a proven track record in supporting legal cases across the playground industry, we provide the clarity and credibility needed to navigate complex litigation, helping you achieve just outcomes.