Zipline Expert Witnesses

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Athletics & Recreation, Risk Management - zip line, zipline accident, zipline braking, zipline brake system, zipline construction, zipline death, zipline safety, residential/backyard zipline, zipline standards, ANSI/ACCT Standards, aerial adventure course, aerial adventure course standards, ropes course, challenge course, climbing, ACCT, ASTM, NAARSO, ASTM F2959, zipline expert

Michael R. Smith is an industry-recognized expert in zip lines, challenge-course, and aerial-adventure-park design, operations, and risk management, with more than three decades of experience in the field. He is regularly retained by plaintiff and defense counsel to provide expert-witness services, accident investigations, and standards-compliance opinions under ASTM F2959, ANSI/ACCT, PRCA. and related industry standards. Mr. Smith is the principal of AdventureSmith, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in risk management, technical inspections, operational audits, staff training, and business development for adventure-tour operators. From 2009 to 2023, he also served as founder and managing partner of an award-winning zip line canopy tour and aerial adventure park operations in Vermont and Tennessee. He holds a B.A. in Wilderness Leadership from Prescott College (1998) and a Master’s in Training and Development from Oakland University (2004). Mr. Smith currently serves on the ...

Cincinnati, Ohio

Mechanical Engineering, Products Liability - accident reconstruction, failure analysis, crash data, automotive, truck, medical device, hoverboard, consumer product, zipline, dialysis, plumbing, log splitter, products liability, EDR, industrial, root cause, manufacturing, intellectual property, marine, engine

Experienced testifying expert witness mechanical engineer with 35+ years in product design and forensic engineering. Experience leading complex investigations in automotive, industrial, consumer products and medical device cases. Serving both plaintiff and defense with Rule 26 compliant reports. Holder of six patents. Subrogation experience. Deposition experience. AM Best-certified service provider. He has opined in cases including auto accidents with EDR imaging, automotive product failures, large/semi truck (class 8) failures, dialysis machines, medical devices and med mal, consumer products liability with personal injury (zipline brakes & hoverboards), plumbing failures and property damage, automotive mechanic's lifts, go kart accidents and construction disputes. Member of eight engineering societies including an associate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) News item: $10.3M gained for plaintiff client against Ethicon/J&J: https://www.daytondailynews.com/lo...

Alpine, Utah

Mechanical Engineering, Intellectual Property - Amusement Rides and Devices, Fitness Equipment, Patents, Intellectual Property, Forklift, Roller Coaster, Zipline, Trampoline Park, Slip and Fall, Consumer Products, Fitness Cables and Carabiners, Automation, Scissor Lift, Telehandler, Design Patents, Trade Secrets, Standards Compliance, aerial lift

Mechanical engineer, licensed Professional Engineer, and Certified Safety Professional with extensive experience in forensic engineering, product design, and expert witness services. Retained as an expert in matters involving product liability, premises liability, intellectual property, and catastrophic injury and fatality. Specialized expertise includes hydraulic access equipment (scissor lifts, boom lifts, MEWPs, telehandlers), walkway safety including slips trips and falls, warnings and instructions, and patent litigation involving both utility and design patents. Experienced in applying industry standards, conducting failure analysis and accident reconstruction, designing and executing custom testing, and providing deposition and trial testimony in state and federal courts. Personally retained as an expert witness in over 55 matters involving product liability, premises liability, intellectual property, and catastrophic injury and fatality Offered testimony by deposition on 11...