Railroad Expert Witnesses

Rio Rico, Arizona

Railroad, Accident Reconstruction - Event Recorder, Locomotive GE/EMD, Positive Train Control, Train make-up, LDVR camera, Trip Optimizer/Leader, Distributed Power Locomotive, Federal Regulations, Railroad Operating Rules, Crossing collisions, Railroad training, Derailment, Employee discipline, Passenger/Freight operations, Fatalities, Employee injury, Human Factors

Railroad Safety & Accident Reconstruction Expert | Locomotive Engineer | Former FRA Investigator Nationally recognized railroad safety and operations expert with over 40 years of Class I passenger and freight railroad experience. Current Class I locomotive engineer and certified Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers. Former Class I railroad executive and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) investigator. Trained by both the FRA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in advanced post-incident and accident investigation techniques. Expert in reconstructing complex incidents — including train–vehicle collisions, train–pedestrian/trespasser strikes, improper train make-up, and rules violations. Skilled in cutting-edge event recorder and locomotive camera analysis software. Proven track record in high-profile and multi-fatality investigations. Founder of TotalRail, LLC (est. 2018), recognized for uncompromising, detail-driven investigations and authoritative subject matter expe...

Redlands, California

Transportation, Railroad - Railroad, Passenger Trains, Commuter Trains, Freight Trains, Railroad Operations, Grade Crossing Accidents/Incidents, Federal Railroad Administration, FRA, National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, Train Derailments, FELA, Railway Safety Act

Railroad Expert Witnesses (REW), founded by Daniel O'Connell, specializes in providing expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiffs or defendants in railroad-related litigation. With a career spanning since 1978 in various roles across freight, passenger, and commuter trains, Daniel O'Connell brings extensive knowledge and experience to the table for a comprehensive evaluation of incidents. His expertise covers a wide range of areas, including railroad crossing incidents, employee and passenger fatalities or injuries. In recent years, Daniel O'Connell has taken on significant roles in expert witness cases, handling multiple active cases, conducting investigations, and producing reports in preparation for trial testimony. In addition to Railroad Expert Witnesses (REW), REW also encompasses Double Track Consulting (DTC), which emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially focused on delivering training to Conductors and Engineers across several railroads, DTC has si...

Beaumont, California

Railroad, Railroad - Railroad Operations, Railroad Crossings, Railway SIgnals, Railroad Dispatching, Railroad Worker Protection, Safety Training, Commuter Rail Safety, Railroad Standards, Derailment Investigation, Trespasser Railroad, FRA rules, GCOR rules, ABTH rules, Safety Management, Risk Mitigation, Project Safety Oversite

Railroad Signal Maintainer field expertise on construction and maintenance of signal and crossing apparatuses - certification Comprehensive knowledge of Inspection practices , securement of cars and locomotive procedures, as well as safety appliances Remote Control (RCL) - certification Class 1 railroad conductor - certification DSLE (designated supervisor of locomotive engines (RCL) - Certification Commuter Train Operator, Instructor , training and certification of commuter engineers- Certification Extensive operational railroad safety expertise - Certification Instructor for New Hire Conductors - CN, UPRR, RTDC Denver Expert Witness Training (SEAK)

Cromwell, Connecticut

OSHA, Safety - forklift, slip trip & fall, machine guarding, amputation, material handling, occupational safety & health, aerial lift, boom lift, scissor lift, work zone, traffic, flagger, scaffold, ladder, lockout/tagout, Emergency Medical Services, mobile elevating work platform, excavation, railroad, MEWP

Safety expert retained in over 440 cases, state and federal. Deposition and trial testimony for matters in over 20 states. 35 years experience in safety & health and OSHA compliance consulting & training for industry, construction, utilities, and emergency services. Frequent speaker at conferences and seminars - international, national, regional, state and local. Over 24 years as Instructor for OSHA Training Institute Education Center Region 1 (Boston region) and Adjunct Faculty at Keene State College, teaching OSHA standards & policies, technical topics, accident/incident analysis, related ANSI standards, and Outreach Trainer courses for both construction and general industry. Lead instructor for fall protection, scaffold, and work zone safety courses. Construction Safety Professional of the Year, Associated General Contractors of Connecticut, 2022. Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer for both construction and general industry. ATSSA Master Instructor. Experienced in: Personal in...

Tampa, Florida

Transportation, Railroad - Transit Accident Expert Witness, Light Rail Accident, Streetcar Accident, Tram Accident, Automated People Mover, Airport People Mover, Plane Train, Bus Accident, Rail Derailment, Transit Safety, Transit Operations, Fixed Guideway, System Safety, Safety Certification, Hazard Analysis, Risk Assessment, Standard of Care, FTA, FRA, DOT

Light Rail, Automated People Mover & Bus Transit Expert Witness — Accident Investigation, Safety & Regulatory Compliance I assist attorneys and courts in analyzing accidents, safety failures, and regulatory compliance issues involving light rail and streetcar systems, airport automated people mover systems (“Plane Trains”), and bus transit systems. With more than 40 years of international transit experience, I provide independent expert analysis covering operations, maintenance, engineering, system design, construction, and regulatory compliance across these transit modes. Areas of focus include: Light rail and streetcar accidents · Automated people mover incidents · Transit bus accidents · Derailments and collisions · Vehicle and platform interface hazards · Track, roadway, and right-of-way safety issues · Bicycle and pedestrian incidents involving transit systems · Safety management system failures · FTA, FRA, and state regulatory compliance · Industry standards of care and tr...

Benton, Kentucky

Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering - civil, railroad, accident, cranes, failures, foundations, structures, drainage, culverts, washouts, hydrology, concrete pump trucks, corrosion, chemical, industrial, building codes, inspections, construction, OSHA Compliance, swimming pools

Mr. Hlinka has worked over 40 years in the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management market with experience in numerous industries: Chemical, Oil Refinery, Pulp & Paper, Adhesives, Nuclear Power Generation, Nuclear Feed Stock, and Steel. His work has overlapped with residential and commercial industries. Throughout his career he has engineered and managed a myriad of projects in these industries and has provided leadership to the various companies in the capacities of: Site Manager, Design Manager, Project Manager, Construction Supervisor, and currently as President. Design engineering, analysis, and inspection experience includes structural steel, reinforced concrete, stone, masonry, wood, and stormwater drainage.

WARREN, Pennsylvania

Railroad, Civil Engineering - Railroad Track, Railroad Equipment, Streetcar Track, Railroad Grade Crossings, Railroad Structures, Railroad Bridges, Surface Transportation Board, Coal Rate Cases, Shortline Railroad, Tourist Railroad, Overhead Contact System, Track Related Injuries

With 50+ years of engineering experience and 20+ years of railroad experience, I have experience with railroad track design and inspection as well as most aspects of railroading regarding rail operations, streetcars, rail related injuries, railroad grade crossings and railroad structures. I have inspected numerous railroad bridges in many states as well as investigating derailments. In addition, my firm, Stone Consulting, Inc. has completed railroad line appraisals, rail equipment inspections and appraisals, and track assessments, for both shortline and tourist railroads. I have no relationships with any Class 1 railroads. I am licensed as a Professional Engineer in AR; CO; FL; GA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; NH; NY; OK; PA; TN; TX; UT; VA; WI; IA; MA; NE; NV; OR; RI; SC; VT; WA; WY. I have been accepted as an expert witness by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for railroad track design, construction and maintenance of way.

Cheltenham, Pennsylvania

Industrial Hygiene, Mold - Certified Industrial Hygienist, Industrial Hygiene, Exposure Assessment, Exposure, Occupational Exposure, Exposure Reconstruction, Historical Exposure, FELA, Railroad, COVID-19, Bioaerosols, Indoor Air Quality, Diesel Exhaust, Chemical, Sick Building

Dr. Perez has served as an expert witness in over 100 cases and has extensive experience in writing expert reports as well as in providing oral deposition and trial testimony. He served as faculty at the Drexel University School of Public Health for 10 years. In this role he taught industrial hygiene and exposure assessment methods to public health graduate students. He also lectured on airborne contaminant exposure and environmental health to graduate engineering and medical students. He has conducted research in the fields of industrial hygiene and environmental health, published his results in the peer reviewed literature and presented his findings at various national and international environmental and occupational health conferences. He has been involved in international industrial hygiene work, lecturing and consulting in India and serving as an advisor to the government of Sri Lanka on issues of occupational health and worker exposure control. Based on his qualification...