| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| ACKNOWLEDGMENTS |
| INTRODUCTION |
| LISTS: ILLUSTRATIONS,
PHOTOGRAPHS, TEAR OUT FORMS |
| SECTION ONE: THE NECESSITIES |
| CHAPTER
ONE - ETHICS AND THE PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATOR |
| 1. Investigator’s Client |
| |
A. Taking A Stand |
2. Investigator Misrepresentation
3. Truthful Facts
4. Dealing With Minors
5. Investigator Malpractice
6. Dealing with Other Investigators |
| CHAPTER
TWO - FILE MANAGEMENT |
1. Abbreviations
Recommended
2. Case Log Book
3. Selling Up A File |
A. Loose Papers? Never!
B. Color Coding |
|
| CHAPTER
THREE - CASE MANAGEMENT |
1. Equipment-Recommended
List
2. Witness Personal Information Sheet
3. Authorization To Release Information
4. Know The Laws |
A. General
B. Jury Instructions
C. Statute Of Limitations
D. Notice
E. Failure To Warn
F. Product Alteration
G. Chain Of Liability
H. Chain Of Evidence
I. Intervening Causes And Forces |
|
| CHAPTER
FOUR - EVIDENCE |
1. Defined
2. Notice To Retain Evidence
3. Preservation Of Evidence
4. Chain Of Evidence |
|
|
| 5. Records |
A. Obtaining Reports And Photographs
B. Police Report And Photographs
C. Fire And Paramedics’ Report
D. Medical Transport Report
E. Hospital Records
F. Coroner’s Report And Investigation, Toxicology Report
G. Death Certificate
H. Building Permits
I. OSHA Report And Photographs |
|
| CHAPTER
FIVE - WITNESSES |
| 1. Identifying And Locating |
| A. Due Diligence Searches |
|
2. "Setting Appointments." Ls to Ts.
Selling to Setting.
3. Witness Interview
4. Witness Evaluation
5. Hostile Witness
6. Defendant Interview
7. Interviewing Minors |
| CHAPTER
SIX - DECLARATIONS |
| 1. Witness Declarations |
A. Defined
B. Importance Of Declarations
C. Foundation For The Interview
D. Written Versus Recorded Declarations |
|
| 2. Words Used In Declarations |
A. Words NEVER To Be Used In Declarations
B. Words ALWAYS Used In Declarations
C. Relative Terms
D. Assumptions
E. How Did The Witness Know? |
|
| 3. Written Declarations |
A. General Guidelines
B. Declaration Construction |
|
(1) Identification Of The Witness
(2) Pre-Accident/lncident Information
(3) Actual Accident/Incident Information
(4) Post-Accident/Incident Information
(5) Opinions, Conclusions, Closing Paragraph
(6) Admissibility Of Signed Declarations |
|
| C. Signed Declaration Opening And Closing Paragraph
Formats |
|
(1) Adult Format
(2) Declaration Addendum Format
(3) Declaration Using A Translator
(4) Declaration Of A Minor
(5) Declaration Read To Witness |
|
D. Example: A Very POOR Declaration
E. Example: An EXCELLENT Declaration |
|
| 4. Tape-Recorded Declarations |
A. General Guidelines
B. Mandatory Inclusions
C. Investigator’s Opening Statement
D. Body Of Interview
E. Changing Tapes
F. Transcription
G. Transcription: Very Poor Tape-recorded Interview |
|
| CHAPTER
SEVEN - PHOTOGRAPHS |
1. Cameras And Lenses
2. Film Recommendations
3. Taking The Photographs |
A. Natural And Staged
B. Telling A Story
C. Injuries
D. Vehicles
E. Streets And Intersections
F. Construction Accident Locations
G . Private Property With Public Access
H. Other Accident Locations
I. Products And Machinery
J . Evidence |
|
4. Development And Prints
5. Photograph Identification
6. Photograph Management
7. Photograph Presentation
8. Sample Photograph List
9. Negative Storage
10. Other People’s Photographs |
| CHAPTER
EIGHT - VIDEOTAPES |
1. General Guidelines
2. Cameras And Tape
3. Natural And Staged
4. Expert Inspections
5. A "Day-In-The-Life-Of ______" Videos
6 . Testimony
7. Resisting Temptation
8. Handy Tips |
A. Taping Speeds
B. Batteries
C. Clean Lens
D. Pans
E. Zooming
F. Camera Jiggle
G. Sun Placement
H. Best Advice -Think |
|
| CHAPTER
NINE - DIAGRAMS |
1. General Guidelines
2. In-Field Sketch
3. Final Diagram |
A. Drawing To Scale
B. Diagramming Corner
C. Words And Number
D. The Legend |
|
| 4. Computer-Generated Versus Hand-Drawn |
A. Computer-Generated Diagram
B. Hand-Drawn Diagram |
|
| 5. Colored Computer-Generated Diagrams |
A. General
B. Computer-Generated Diagrams, Hand-Colored
C. Computer-Generated Diagrams, Computer-Colored |
|
6. Telling A Story With Diagrams
7. Tips For Professional Looking Diagrams |
| CHAPTER
TEN - EXPERT WITNESS |
1. Defined
2. Investigator As An "Expert"
3. Types Of Expert Witnesses
4. Recommending An Expert Witness
5. How To Find The Best Expert |
A. The Internet
B. The Library
C. University And College Professors
D. Other Experts |
|
6. Working With Expert Witnesses
7. Expert’s Report |
| CHAPTER
ELEVEN - INSURANCE |
1. Overview
2 .Insurance Policies
3. Stacking Insurance Policies |
|
|
| 4. The Uninsured Motorist |
A. Uninsured Motorist Declaration:
Driver/Owner
B. Uninsured Motorist Declaration: Driver
C. Uninsured Motorist Declaration: Owner |
|
| SECTION
TWO: ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS |
| CHAPTER
TWELVE - PRODUCT LIABILITY |
| 1.
General Overview |
| 2. Defined |
| |
A. Patent Defect
B. Latent Defect
C. Alterations
D. Marketing Misrepresentation
E. Failure To Warn
F. Failure To Foresee
G. Chain Of Commerce
H. Chain Of Liability
I. "Empty Chair" Defense
|
| 3. What Must
Be Proved |
| |
A. Proving The Liability
B. Jury Instructions |
| 4. Investigation
Checklist |
| |
A. Product Examination
B. Faulty Maintenance
C. Examination Of Site
D. Written Material
E. Potential Witnesses And Defendants
F. Chain-a-Commerce
G. Regulations |
| 5. Notice To
Preserve Evidence |
| CHAPTER
THIRTEEN - VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS |
1.
General Overview
2. Police Accident Reports
3. Assessing Police Accident Reports |
| |
A. Factual
Errors
B. Police Officer Assumptions
C. Witness Testimony Errors
D. Getting Police Accident Reports Corrected |
4. Requesting
Police Photographs
5. Driver/Passenger Conflict of Interest
6. Res Gestae - Spontaneous Statements |
| CHAPTER
FOURTEEN - BICYCLE ACCIDENTS |
| 1.
General Overview |
| |
A. Cyclist Responsibility |
2. Witnesses
3. Accident Scene
4. Bicycle Equipment Design And Usage |
| |
A. Bicycle Designs
B. Bicycle Usage
C. Helmet Design
D. Bicycle Equipment Failure
E. Helmet Failure |
| 5. Post Accident Inspections |
| |
A. Bicycle Inspection
B. Helmet Inspection
C. Defendant Vehicle Inspection |
| 6. Investigation Check List
|
| CHAPTER
FIFTEEN -VEHICLE ACCIDENT OVERVIEW |
1. General Overview
2. Physical Evidence
3. Energy Transference A. Spider-Webbing
4. Analysis Of Vehicle Accident Types |
| |
A. Head-On Collisions
B. Broadside Collisions
C. Rear-End Collisions
D. Sideswipe Collisions
E. Single Vehicle Accidents F. RolI-Overs |
5. Vehicle Inspection
6. Photographs
7. Measurements |
| CHAPTER
SIXTEEN - VEHICLE ACCIDENT SCENE |
1. General Overview
2. Traffic Controls
3. Street Design And Marking |
| |
A. Sight Distance Standards
B. Signage
C. Painted Lines And Markings
D. High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
E. Delineators
F. Rumble Strips |
4. Lighting
5. Obstructions
6. Center Dividers |
| |
A. Barriers
B. Crash Cushions |
7. Shoulders
8. Guardrails |
| |
A. Embankment Guardrails
B. Fixed Object Guardrails |
9. Skid Marks
10. Gouge Marks
11. Photographs
12. Measurements And Diagrams
13. Formulae |
| |
A. Calculating Speed As Feet Per Second
B. Calculating Speed
C. Calculating Distance
D. Calculating Time |
| 14. Summary
|
| CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN - VEHICLE EQUIPMENT FAILURE |
| 1. General Overview |
| |
A. Photographs
B. Measurements |
| 2. Brakes |
|
|
A. Drum Brakes
B. Disk Brakes |
3. Tires
4. Accelerator And Cruise-Control Stickage
5. Seatbelts |
| |
A. Design Flaws
B. Seatbelt Failure |
6. Seatback Collapse
7. Latches
8. Pillar Collapse And Roof Crush
9. Wheels And Axles
10. Air Bag Failure Or Damage
11. Lights
12. Fuel Tank And Fuel Line Ruptures |
| |
A. Fuel Tank Ruptures And Punctures
B. Fuel Line Ruptures |
| 13. Failure Of Design |
| |
A. Seatbelt Latch Releases
B. Narrow Wheel Bases, High Profiles, And Center Of Gravity
C. Fuel Tank Placement |
| CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN - VEHICLE VS. PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS |
1. Overview
2. Crosswalks |
| |
A. Marked Crosswalks
B. Unmarked Crosswalks |
| 3. School Area Crossings |
| |
A. Traffic Agency Responsibility
B. School Responsibility
C. Adult Crossing Guards
D. Typical School Pedestrian Safety Measures |
4. Jaywalking
5. Dart-Outs
6. Visual Obstructions
7. Walkers And Joggers
8. Line-Of-Sight
9. Working The Accident |
| |
A. Pedestrian's Actions
B. Lighting
C. Warnings
D. Notice
E. Obstacles
F. Line-Of-Sight
G. Distractions
H. Indications Of Vehicular Braking
I. How Far Did The Pedestrian Get?
J. Visualization
K. Witnesses |
| CHAPTER
NINETEEN - VEHICLE FIRES |
1. Overview
2. External Causes |
| |
A. Spontaneous Combustion Cargo Fires
B. Impacted-Cargo Fires |
| 3. Internal Causes |
| |
A. Fuel Tank Location And Design
B. Equipment Failure |
4. Fire Department Report
5. Report Format |
| |
A. Line Set Ticket
B. Defense Investigator Interviews
C. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
D. Autopsy And Toxicological Reports
E. Television Exposé-Type Shows
F. Photographs |
| CHAPTER
TWENTY - MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS |
1. Overview
2. Similarity To Auto Accidents
3. Rider Expertise
4. Accident Scene |
| |
A. Visibility
B. Hitting Objects
C. Off-Road Motorcycle Accidents
D. Raw Land Ownership |
| 5. Product Failure |
| |
A. Motorcycle Equipment Failure
B. Helmet Failure |
| CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE - TRUCK AND BUS ACCIDENTS |
1. Overview 405
2. Truck And Trailer Designs |
| |
A. Surface Transportation Assistance Act Of 1982
|
3. Asa's Truck Accident Bulletins
4. Truck Vs. Auto |
| |
A. Under-Ride Collisions |
5. Truck Vs. Truck
6. Truck Roll-Over
7. Motor Carrier Driver Documents |
| |
A. Check List Statement And File Status Audits
B. Driver Employment Application
C. D.O.T. Driver's Road Test
D. D.O.T. Written Examination
E. Driver's Certification Of Violations
F. D.O.T. Physical Examination
G. Telephone Check On Applicants
H. Request For Employment Information
I. Certificate Samples
J. Driver Time Worked Statement
K. Acknowledgment Of Policy On Alcohol/Drug Abuse
L. Driver Notification Of License Suspension Or Traffic Conviction
M. INS Employment Eligibility Verification
N. Driver's Record Card Sample
O. Driver's Daily Log - Manual |
8. Operator's Daily Log On
Computer
9. Bus Accidents |
| |
A. Accident Causes |
CHAPTER
TWENTY- TWO
INVESTIGATION GUIDE FOR VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS |
1. Assignment
2. Attorney Expectations
3. Official Reports
4. Defendants
5. Insurance
6. Defendant Declarations
7. Witness Declarations
8. Defective Equipment And/Or Design
9. Formal Inspection Results
10. Apropos Law
11. Photographs, Videotapes, Diagrams
12. Exhibits And Evidence
13. Analysis |
| |
A. Passenger Vehicle Braking Distance Chart
B. Truck And Bus Braking Distance Chart |
14. Recommendations
15. Traffic Accident Statement Checklist
16. Vehicle Photo Checklist
17. Summary |
| CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE - THIRD PARTY LIABILITY |
1. Defined
2. Accidents Covered By Worker's Compensation |
| |
A. Employer's Liability
B. Subrogation |
| 3. The Third Party |
| |
A. Indemnification
B. Cross-Complaints |
| 4. Who OSHA Blames For Accidents, And
Why |
| 5. Incidents |
| |
A. Examples
B." Special Employee" Status |
| 6. Physical Attacks |
| |
A. Overview
B. Security Guard Attacks
C. Police Officer Attacks
D. Road Rage Attackers |
| 7. Summary |
| CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR - CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS |
1. Defined
2. Changing Laws
3. Control
4. Most Common Types Of Construction Site Accidents |
| |
A. Falls From Scaffolding.
B. Falls From Ladders
C. Other Falls
D. Lumber
E. Falsework
F. Hoses
G. Saws
H. Manlifts
I. Forklifts |
5. Potential Defendant Identification
6. Peculiar Risk Doctrine Changes
7. Government Agency Involvement |
| |
A. OSHA
B. Environmental Agencies
C. District Attorney |
8. Photographs
9. Construction Site Accident Investigation Check List
10. Summary |
| CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE - ANIMAL-INVOLVED INCIDENTS |
1. Overview
2. Animal Attack Investigations |
| |
A. Defendant Identification
B. Lack Of Control
C. Propensity To Violence
D. History Of Violence
E. Witness Interviews |
(1) Attack Witnesses
(2) Defendant's Neighbors
(3) Authorities, Veterinarians, Pet Stores, And Groomers |
|
| 3. Horseback Riding Accidents |
| |
A. Rider's Expertise
B. Defendant Identification
C. Tack
D. Safe Trails
E. Anatomy Of A Horseback Riding Accident
F. "Red-Tagged" Horses |
4. Race Horse Accidents
5. Animal Attraction Incidents |
| |
A. Zoos
B. Wild Animal Parks
C. Rodeos
D. Circuses
E. Competitions |
| 6. Summary |
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
INTRODUCTION TO RECREATIONAL ACCIDENTS |
| 1. General Overview |
| |
A. Water-Related Accidents
B. Snow-Related Accidents
C. Land-Related Accidents
D. School-Related Accidents
E. Organized-Sports Accidents |
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN
WATER-RELATED RECREATIONAL ACCIDENTS |
1. Swimming And Diving Accidents
2. SCUBA Accidents
3. Surfing Accidents
4. Boating Accidents
5. Water Skiing Accidents
6. Personal Watercraft Accidents |
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SNOW-RELATED RECREATIONAL ACCIDENTS |
1. Snow Skiing Accidents
2. Snowmobile Accidents
3. Snowboarding Accidents
4. Other Quick Trips To The Bottom |
CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
LAND-RELATED RECREATIONAL ACCIDENTS |
1. All-Terrain Vehicle Accidents
2. Skateboarding Accidents
3. In-Line Skating Accidents
4. Skydiving Accidents |
| |
A. Paragliding Accidents
B. Parasailing Accidents
C. Hang Gliding Accidents |
| 5. Other Land-Related Accidents |
| |
A. Scooter Accidents B.
Bungee Jumping Accidents |
| 6. Summary |
| CHAPTER
THIRTY - SCHOOL-RELATED ATHLETIC ACCIDENTS |
1. Football Accidents
2. Wrestling Accidents
3. Pole Vaulting Accidents
4. Diving Accidents
5. Cheer Leader Accidents |
| |
A. Pyramid Accidents
B. Flying Stunt Accidents |
6. Baseball Accidents
7. Coaches |
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
ORGANIZED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY ACCIDENTS |
1. Introduction
2. Baseball
3. Football
4. Motocross Racing |
| |
A. Bicycle Motocross
B. Motorcycle Motocross |
| 5. Other Organized Activity Accidents
|
A. Hockey
B. Martial Arts
C. Youth Organizations Activities Accidents
D. Scouting Activity Accidents |
| 6. Summary |
| CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO -- PREMISES ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS |
1. Defined
2. Notice |
| |
A. Attractive Nuisance Doctrine
B. Sidewalk Accident Decisions Doctrine |
| 3. Expert |
| |
A. Coefficient Of Friction
B. Slope Measurement |
| 4. Slip And Falls |
| |
A. Objects That Move
B. Slick Surfaces
C. Something Slick On A Walking Surface
D. Stairs
E. Summary
|
| 5. Trip And Falls. |
| |
A. Overview
B. Private Sector Trip And Fall Accident Investigations
C. Public Sector Trip And Fall Accident Investigations
D. Summary |
| 6. Hazards |
| |
A. Falling Gates
B. Collapsing Structures
C. Falling Merchandise |
| 7. People Movers |
| |
A. Elevators
B. Escalators
C. Moving Sidewalks
D. Chair Lifts
E. Gondolas |
8. Glass Door And Window Accidents
9. Theme Park Ride Accidents
10. Preserving Evidence |
| |
A. Floor-Cleaning Records
B. Victim's Shoes
C. Defects |
| 11. Lack Of Security Incidents |
| |
A. "No Security" Incidents
B. "Not-Enough Security"Incidents |
| 12. Premises Accident/Incident Investigation
Checklist |
| 13. Summary |
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
DRAM SHOP (LIQUOR-RELATED) PLIGHT |
1. Overview
2. Definitions |
| |
A. Dram
B. Dram Shop
C. Dram Shop Act |
| 3. Liquor And Adults |
| |
A. Vehicular Accidents
B. Premises Accidents
C. Physical Attacks
D. Summary |
| 4. Liquor And Minors |
| |
A. Serving Liquor To Minors
B. Selling Packaged Liquor To Minors
C. Summary |
| 5. Dram Shop Cases Investigation Check
List |
| CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR - MARITIME ACCIDENTS |
| 1. Overview |
| |
A. Nautical Definitions |
| 2. The Jones Act |
| |
A. Able-Bodied Seaman
B. An Active Member Of A Crew
C. Sea Going Vessel
D. Capable Of Going To Sea
E. Injured Person Was Furthering The Mission
F. The Flotilla Of Which The Vessel Was A Part
G. Regardless Of Where The Accident Happened |
| 3. Jones Act Investigations |
| |
A. Report Of Marine Accident, Injury Or
Death |
(1) Vessels
(2) Outer Continental Shelf Facilities
(3) Diving |
|
| |
B. Negligence |
(1) Weather
(2) Capsizing
(3) Safety Standards |
|
| |
C. Seaworthiness |
(1) Equipment
(2) Housekeeping |
|
| |
D. Vessel Access |
|
(1) Access To Vessels Afloat
(2) Access To Vessels In Dry Dock Or Between Vessels
(3) Access To Barges And River Towboats
(4) Jacob's Ladders
|
|
| |
E. Summary |
4. Longshoreman And Harbor Workers' Compensation
Act
5. Additional Maritime Acts |
| |
A. Admiralty Extension Act
B. Death On The High Seas Act
C. Limitation Of Shipowner Liability Act
D. Public Vessel Act
E. Suits In Admiralty Act
F. Partial List Of U.S. Maritime Acts |
