AUTOMOTIVE FAILURE ANALYSIS EXPERT WITNESS

PROFILE

I have been performing automotive engineering consulting services since 1992, providing thorough technical assistance in all areas of automotive engineering and technologies. My experience includes cases related to small claims, Lemon Law, personal injury, fraud, unsafe vehicle sales, dealership practices, product liability, failure analysis, and wrongful death. Clients include law enforcement agencies, insurance carriers, law firms, manufacturers and individuals. Most cases involve loss of life or disabling injuries.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, AFFILIATIONS AND LICENSES

Certified Master Technician, Ford Motor Company

Over 2,000 hours of formal and multimedia training related to vehicle diagnosis and repair (see attached listing of completed courses)

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, Certified Master Technician in:
A1 Engine Repair
A2 Automatic Transmission
A3 Manual Drivetrain and Axles
A4 Suspension and Steering
A5 Automotive Brakes
A6 Electrical Systems
A7 Heating and Air Conditioning
A8 Engine Performance
L1 Advanced Engine Performance

Elected Member, Society of Automotive Engineers

Member, Consumer Attorneys of California (technical staff)

Member, International Automotive Technicians Network

Member, Center for Auto Safety, Washington, D.C.

Member, California Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists

California Highway Patrol-approved motorcycle safety and accident avoidance course, 2003

Graduate of Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and Accident Avoidance, 1999

Member Harley Owners Group

WORK HISTORY AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE

1975 to 2005 - Ford Motor Company and Lincoln Mercury dealer technician (ten years as shop foreman). Thirty years as a technician, with vast experience in inspecting and diagnosing thousands of vehicles.

1992 to present - Litigation Consultant, Waters Consulting. Fourteen years experience in investigating legal cases related to failure analysis, product liability, Lemon Law, automotive brakes, antilock brakes, transmissions (manual and automatic), drive axles, engines, engine controls, heating and air conditioning, steering and suspension, seat belts, passive restraints, air bags, supplemental restraint systems, fire damage appraisal and investigation, vehicle maintenance, dealership and repair facility practices. Articulate expert witness testimony, with a keen ability to translate complex technical information into layman terms for both jurors and attorneys.

FORMAL AND MULTIMEDIA TRAINING COURSES COMPLETED

Basic Electrical Theory and Operation
Battery Starting and Charging Systems
Electrical Diagnostic Tools and Testing, part 1
Electrical Diagnostic Tools and Testing, part 2
Basic Electrical Diagnosis
Electronics Theory and Operation
Understanding Electronic Systems
NGS Tester Operation
Basic WDS Tool Operation
Electronic System Diagnosis
Networks and Multiplexing
Supplemental Restrains operations and Diagnosis
Ignition System Theory and Operation
Fuel and Air Theory and Operation
Exhaust and Emissions Theory and Operation
Fuel, Air, Ignition and Emission
OBD II Monitors
Engine Performance Theory and Operation
Diagnostic Process
Diagnostic Routines
Engine Performance Diagnosis and Testing
Diagnosis and Testing OBD II Vehicles
Adv. Engine Performance for Diagnosis & Testing
Engine Repair Fundamentals
Automotive Measuring Tool
Base Engine Operations and Diagnosis
Engine Repair Class
Servicing Overhead-Cam Engines
7.3L Diesel Diagnosis
Diesel Engine Operation Fundamentals
Diesel Engine Theory and Operations
Diesel Fuel Supply and Fuel Injection
Diesel Air Inlet and Exhaust
7.3L Diesel Diagnosis
Diesel Diagnostic Procedures
Diesel Engine Performance
Differential and Driveline Operation
Differential and Driveline Repair
Manual Transmission and Transaxle Operations I
Manual Transmission and Transaxle II
Manual Transmission and Transaxle Repair III
Transfer Case and 4-WD System Diagnosis I
Transfer Case and 4-WD System Diagnosis II
Transfer Case and 4-WD System Repair III
Automatic Transmission Hydraulics, Mechanical Operations
Automatic Transmission Electronics
Automatic Transmission Diagnosis
Intro to Automatic Transmission, Transaxle Repair
Front Wheel Drive Automatic Transmission Repair
Rear Wheel Drive Automatic Transmission Repair
Advanced Automatic Transmission Diagnosis
Vehicle Brake Systems
Brake Service Procedures
Brake System Diagnosis and Service
Advanced Brake System Theory and Operations
Advanced Brake System Diagnosis
Advanced Brake System Diagnosis and Service
Noise, Vibration and Harshness Principles, Diagnosis
Brakes Systems Update
Forensic Examination of Anti-Lock Brakes

LITIGATION EXPERIENCE

Defense:

Single fatality truck and train accident, disproved transmission, ignition and fuel system failures. Case withdrawn

Lemon Law fraudulent vehicle sale. Case withdrawn

Single fatality rollover. Settled confidential

Single fatality transmission park gear failure. Settled confidential

Major injury incident on dealership property. Settled confidential

Lemon Law, misrepresented vehicle sale (litigation pending)

Lemon Law, 100K vehicle, paint and hidden damage issues. Settled confidential

Plaintiff:

Power sliding door defect causing personal injury. Settled confidential (G.M. released a recall to repair this concern soon after my report was submitted)

Lemon Law oil consumption concern. Settled confidential

Major injury, repair shop standard of care issue: brake job not performed correctly. Settled confidential

Major injury rollover, brake failure (litigation pending)

Single fatality rollover, vehicle inspection (litigation pending)

Single fatality, unintended acceleration (litigation pending)

Three fatalities, engine failure: vehicle stalled and subsequently rear ended (litigation pending)

Minor injury, brake failure upon picking vehicle up from repair facility. Settled confidential

Major injuries to two police officers, vehicle was picked up from the dealership after complete brake job. Proved wrong parts used and improper post road test performed as per factory service bulletin. Settled confidential.

Lemon Law transmission failure. Settled confidential

Three fatalities rollover, jury trial, award $295 million

Unsafe vehicle sale, smog control altered. Settled confidential

KEYWORDS

Automotive Failure Analysis Expert Witness, Automotive Failure Expert Witness, Dealer And Repair Practices Expert Witness, Dealer Practices Expert Witness, Repair Practices Expert Witness, Product Liability Expert Witness, Automobile Expert Witness, Automotive Expert Witness, Automotive Product Liability Expert Witness, Automotive Standard Of Care, Automotive Failure Analysis Expert Witness, Dealership Practices Expert Witness, Repair Shop Practices Expert Witness