Parking Lot Expert Opines On Allegedly Defective Lot Design

Case Overview

This case involves a slip and fall that occurred due to ice accumulation in a shopping plaza parking lot. The parking lot in question was on a slope and the design and the configuration of the lot prevented the plaintiff from being able to park elsewhere with minimal ice. The plaintiff parked his car in a parking spot that appeared to have minimal surrounding ice. However, when he stepped out of the vehicle, he immediately slipped on black ice that had not been visible. The plaintiff suffered a fractured hip as a result of the fall. It was alleged that the design of the parking lot, with regard to its configuration and drainage system, did not meet the industry standards for parking lot design and thus caused the slip and fall accident. An expert in parking lot design and safety was sought to inspect the parking lot in question discuss whether the lot was in compliance with industry standards.

Questions to the Civil Engineering expert and their responses

Please explain your familiarity with the rules and regulations regarding parking lot design?

I am a licensed professional engineer with experience in the inspection and design of parking lot and pavement surfaces. I am also a certified code enforcement official and participate in mandatory annual refresher training in state fire prevention and building code, which includes provisions for parking lot design and maintenance. I am trained and tested in standards and regulations regarding parking lot inspection and design and have consulted on parking lot projects for conformance with same.

What standards should have been followed to prevent this accident from occurring?

Over the course of my career, I have consulted on a number of parking lot slip and fall cases, including those which involved ponding and icing conditions.

About the expert

This expert has over 30 years of experience in civil engineering. He earned his BS in civil engineering from Cornell University and is a licensed professional engineer in New York. In addition, he is a certified code enforcement official, certified environmental safety inspector, and a registered professional industrial hygienist. He has participated in various programs and seminars conducted by prominent groups, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Home Inspectors. For the past 30 years, he has served as the president and chief executive officer of a private engineering consultancy specializing in building and safety code compliance, construction and project management, physical condition surveys, commercial and residential field inspections, and HVAC design inspection and evaluation.