Patron is Injured by Crash at Hoverboard Demonstration

Case Overview

This case involves the mechanical defect of a hoverboard and improper instructions and guidance on how to use it, resulting in serious injury. The plaintiff is a supervisor for an amusement park and he was instructed, by his manager, to attend a hoverboard demonstration. At one point during the demonstration, the plaintiff was riding the hoverboard when the device suddenly burst into flames and exploded. The plaintiff suffered severe third degree burns to both of his legs. The plaintiff believes the machine was defected and that there were inadequate safety measures provided during the demonstration.

Questions to the Mechanical Engineering expert and their responses

What is your experience with the design of a hoverboard?

I am very familiar with the design of hoverboards and have been deposed in 3 hoverboard accident cases. I have also served as a technical consultant on about 3 other hoverboard related cases.

About the expert

This expert has been working as a mechanical engineer for over 30 years. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University as well as both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. His years of experience have included consulting for Fortune 500 companies, R&D for the National Science Foundation and Public Health Services, and industry employment at Auburn University, General Motors, McDermott, and Honeywell. This expert is the former President of Design and Manufacturing Solutions, Inc., a technology development company that maintains over 80 patents worldwide. As President, he formulated, directed, and managed business strategies and plans, personnel, engineering, and product development programs. In both 2001 and 2002 he led the company to nomination for The National Medal of Technology, one of the United States' highest honors for technological innovation. Currently, this expert is the President and Principal of a forensic engineering firm where he specializes in the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and failure analysis of consumer products.

E-008051

Specialties:

Mechanical Engineering