Product Data Analysis in Defective Gas Can Explosion Injury Case

Case Overview

This case revolves around an individual who suffered injuries from a gas can explosion. The incident occurred while the plaintiff poured gasoline into an unlit fire pit. It is alleged that the gas can fire arrestor was defective, which allowed an ember to enter and cause the explosion.

This case study focuses on the role of an expert in data analysis, specifically with experience in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database. The expert’s task is to review product data for gas cans within this database to ascertain if there have been other instances of explosions or fires attributed to defective gas cans.

Questions to the expert and their responses

Please describe your professional background in data analysis, specifically the NEISS database.

I bring over three decades of research and consulting experience. My expertise extends to using large complex surveys in litigation, such as NLSY79, NHANES, and ACS data. These databases present similar challenges when querying data and interpreting results within a margin of error.

While the NEISS database could be useful in this case, it’s critical to note that it won’t provide data for estimating the number of explosions or fires. This is because NEISS is a database of emergency department visits.

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

In my career, I’ve dealt with numerous cases requiring detailed data analysis from various databases. However, each case presents unique circumstances and requires specific data interpretation approaches.

About the expert

This expert brings over three decades of experience in statistics, specializing in geographic modeling and analysis, environmental statistics, and geostatistics. They hold advanced degrees in mathematics and have developed numerous software applications for Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including leading the team that produced the first National Broadband Map. Currently, they own a consulting firm focusing on environmental, statistical, and mathematical issues while also serving as an associate at a health risk data analysis company and a senior statistician at another statistical analysis consulting firm.