Expert in Manufacturing and Product Liability

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Rene Melendez is a seasoned expert witness and independent consultant with over 15 years of experience specializing in ladder safety, design, and manufacturing standards. His work focuses on evaluating ladder-related injuries and incidents for litigation across the United States. Rene’s consulting engagements span residential, commercial, and industrial ladder use, with deep expertise in extension, step, tripod, and fiberglass ladders. He specializes in failure analysis, product liability, and injury investigation for climbing products including extension ladders (up to 60 ft), stepladders, scaffolds, planks, attic ladders, and fall protection equipment. Rene regularly partners with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure all products meet strict U.S. and international safety certifications. Mr. Melendez has been retained in numerous high-profile cases involving ladder product failures, safety violations, and workplace accidents. He has worked on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants and provides objective, evidence-based assessments rooted in industry best practices and standards, including ANSI, OSHA, and relevant ASTM specifications. Education & Credentials: • Extensive training in ladder design, testing protocols, and failure analysis • Familiarity with ISO, ANSI, OSHA, and CSA ladder compliance standards • Continuous education through seminars, trade associations, and product training Areas of Expertise: • Ladder design, testing & safety compliance • Fall protection: harnesses, SRLs, lanyards • OSHA, ANSI, CSA, ISO 17025 compliance • Mechanical failure analysis (fiberglass, aluminum) • Product liability & accident investigation • Expert witness testimony and depositions Experience Highlights: • Reviewed over 100 ladder-related injury cases across 20+ states • Completed inspections and site visits to analyze ladder condition and failure causes • Authored detailed expert reports with clear, courtroom-ready conclusions • Worked with the Expert Institute on multiple engagements, including: - Elliot Gosrich v. Hasegawa Corporation (Tripod ladder failure) - Mastanduno v. Louisville Ladder Company - Armstrong v. Stapleton Corp - Perez v. Guerra, et al. Credentials • 15 years at WernerCo, global leader in ladder safety • OSHA 10/30 certified • ISO 17025 Lab Compliance • ANSI A14 Ladder Safety Standards • UL, CSA compliance experience • Ongoing industry training & leadership in mechanical testing protocols Availability: • Available nationwide for: • Record & case review • Expert consulting • Site inspections • Expert testimony • Rush consultations • Deposition & trial preparation