McHugh Forensic
Consultants, LLC
A laborer was working as part of a crew on the rehabilitation of a swimming pool. The crew was in the process of refacing the pool wall utilizing a grout pump. The laborer was injured when a hose from the grout pump, under pressure, suddenly released in a whipping motion, and he was injured. My investigation revealed that the contractor did not employ the proper safety measures by not tying off the hose ends before allowing the crew to clear the plugged hose, and when the pressure was released from the unrestrained hose, it whipped, striking the laborer, causing a severe injury.
A passenger in a dump truck, towing a 16’ utility trailer, was injured when the truck left the roadway, striking a utility company truck. My investigation revealed that the utility company failed to plan or implement a proper traffic management plan and failed to protect their work zone.
"Thank you for all your hard work and diligence and saving us a lot of money."
A motorcycle operator was injured when his motorcycle left the travel lane and onto a two-foot shoulder. The operator was injured when his wheels were caught in a shoulder drop-off section and he lost control and crashed. My investigation revealed that the agency responsible failed to adhere to their own standards and specifications for shoulder backup material and failed to eliminate the drop-off.
A stone filled timber crib dam structure was originally constructed in 1896. During reconstruction of the spillway, the dam failed and the lake behind it emptied. My investigation revealed that the agency responsible failed to monitor and evaluate conditions as the construction progressed.
A young lady was operating a motor vehicle on an interstate highway during a rain event. The vehicle left the roadway, sliding into a tree on the drivers’ side, and she was killed. My investigation revealed that the agency responsible failed to correct an issue in the roadway that caused the vehicle to hydroplane and the operator to lose control of her vehicle.
A jockey riding in a horserace was severely injured when the horse he was riding broke down on a curve in the track. The elements of roadway design and the elements of a proper horse racing track are the same and this is a recognized and accepted fact in the engineering community and has been the subject of published articles. My investigation revealed that the race track lacked the proper banking and material in the area of the curve, which resulted in elevated forces and stresses upon the horses running at the track, causing the fall and injuries.
Two workers on a major thoroughfare were injured when an errant vehicle encroached into the work zone. My investigation revealed that the agency responsible for the construction failed to properly design or implement proper maintenance and protection of traffic zone and this resulted in the injuries to the workers.
An ironworker was injured when he fell through an opening in a roadway to train tracks below. My investigation revealed that the ironworker had a damaged lanyard and also failed to utilize the available life-line to tie-off. The ironworker’s fall was solely the result of his own choice and conduct.
A worker attempting to remove an elevated flooring system fell from a steel floor joist and was injured. My investigation revealed that the agency responsible failed to protect the worker from the hazards associated with working on a slippery, elevated surface and this was the cause of the incident.
It was alleged that there were serious structural problems with tipping piers of a home at the time of a home inspection. My inspection revealed that the tipped (battered) piers were originally constructed in a tipped (battered) condition and that there were not structural problems with the home existing at the time of the inspection.
