Expert Witness: Product Analysis

John C. Laughlin has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees in bioengineering from Texas A&M University. During his undergraduate, he focused on electrical engineering and while studying for his graduate degree, he focused on biomechanical engineering. Mr. Laughlin has studied the biomechanical properties of human tissues using cadaveric and theoretical models. He has been a key participant in several U.S. and international clinical trials involving neuromodulation devices. Additionally, Mr. Laughlin has experience with surgical tools, orthopedic devices, drug delivery and hospital equipment.

Mr. Laughin has testified over 70 times in deposition and trial.

He has experience writing research protocols and reviewing them for institutional review boards. Mr. Laughlin has published and presented in the areas of orthopedic biomechanics, neuromodulation, accident reconstruction and injury biomechanics. He also has a patent for a device which evaluates patient compliance for an externally worn medical device. Mr. Laughlin has the expertise to help in the board room, laboratory or operating suite.

As a forensic engineer, Mr. Laughlin has investigated incidents involving automobiles (rollovers, multiple impacts, commercial vehicles), railroad equipment, commercial aircraft interiors, watercraft, amusement park rides, walking surfaces, violence, industrial/railroad/hospital equipment, medical devices and product failures. Mr. Laughlin comprehends the human factors and physics of accident scenarios as well as orthopedic biomechanics. As a licensed biomedical and mechanical engineer, he can analyze the mechanics of a vehicle accident or product failure and determine its relationship to the claimed injuries.

Areas of Expertise:

Education/Licenses:

Master of Engineering Bioengineering
1995 Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Bachelor of Science Bioengineering
1993 Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Licenses: Professional Engineer # 92944 Mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, registered in Texas

Diplomate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers

Forensic Overview

We understand that our clients make important decisions based upon our findings, which is why we are committed to providing scientifically sound and defensible opinions. We have the skills and experience to help you from the initial investigation to the production of demonstrative evidence. When your success requires talent that can bridge the divide between engineering physics and the medical sciences, we are at your service. With extensive testifying experience in several states and federal court, you can be confident that John Laughlin, M.Eng., P.E., our principal engineer, will provide you with reliable and professional service.
Incident Reconstruction

Our qualified forensic experts have experience reconstructing incidents involving motor vehicles, amusement park rides, buses, trains, industrial equipment, child play/restraint systems and violence. We use modern equipment to collect evidence and engineering principles to reconstruct the events. Typical analyses include timing, vehicle speeds, order of impacts and line of sight. We are thorough and will work hard to determine the facts of your case as best the evidence can describe. Additionally, we are skilled at creating 3D computer simulations for use as demonstrative evidence.
Injury Biomechanics

As a licensed professional mechanical engineer, Mr. Laughlin can help you determine the cause of a product failure and help identify defects associated with a product's design or labeling. As a licensed biomedical engineer, Mr. Laughlin can help determine the association, if any, of the injuries to the defect or failure mechanism. We have experience analyzing all sorts of products including, but not limited to: ladders, bus seats, footwear, physical therapy equipment and implantable medical devices. From simple to sophisticated technology, we can help you sort out the facts.

Slip and Fall Biomechanics

Slips, trips and falls are well understood phenomena, but the details of a specific falling event are often difficult to unravel. We use the science of human gait and locomotion to reconstruct these events and determine the causative factors. A typical analysis will take into consideration environmental factors, the actions of the individual and the claimed injuries. In modern society, many of these incidents are captured by video cameras. We specialize in deconstructing video evidence and performing frame-by-frame analyses to determine the consistency of the body's motions with known slip and fall biomechanics.

Human Factors Engineering

Humans interact with their environment in many complicated ways. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of human behavior is key to evaluating circumstances involving safety. Accounting for safety and human error has come to the forefront of modern design and human factors engineering has as many applications as humans have possibilities. Humans can serve as operators or passive users of a system and designing for their safety involves understanding the environment as much as it does understanding human interaction. Human factors engineering is used to reduce or eliminate the potential for harm to a user. In some circumstances, risk cannot be mitigated and the user must rely upon labeling to understand the safety limitations or usage requirements for a system.

Medical Devices

Medical devices are deeply studied, highly regulated and manufactured with quality standards. Even with all of the safety precautions taken by the industry, sometimes devices fail. Sometimes a device may have been used inappropriately or installed improperly. Sometimes a patient may contribute to the device failure. Medical device cases can be complex and the technology involved very sophisticated. We have experience with neuroelectrical, cardiac, orthopedic, surgical, drug delivery and other patient monitoring and implantable technologies.

For additional Information, please call:

(281) 741-9226

LAUGHLIN ENGINEERING FIRM, LLC
John C. Laughlin, M.Eng., P.E.
Licensed biomedical and mechanical engineer

Expert Witness: Product Analysis

http://www.laughlinfirm.com