Who is The Kilpatrick Group, PA?

Our mission is to provide to you forensic mechanical design engineering services. We are dedicated to the application of the art, science and methodology of forensic engineering and the scientific method in order to answer questions of fact in the jurisprudence system concerning accidents and product defect and failure claims. We utilize our engineering knowledge, skill, experience, training and education to give you an objective professional opinion that is detailed, understandable and timely. Mr. Kilpatrick has submitted many written expert reports in state and federal court and have given sworn expert testimony under oath many times during both deposition and trial. Please read below about the services we provide to our legal and insurance clients:

Industrial Accident Reconstruction and Product Defect and Failure Analysis

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group has been a service provider of industrial accident investigation to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a board certified Forensic Engineer through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) and is a Diplomat Forensics Engineer (DFE). Gary has approximately 20 years of industrial work experience and is an OSHA expert with OSHA 29CFR 1910, 1926,1928 safety regulations and FDA and CGMP. He travels throughout the United States to investigate and reconstruct industrial accidents concerning overhead bridge cranes, construction cranes, forklifts, industrial process equipment, conveyors and mobile elevating work platform accidents.


FORKLIFT ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION AND PRODUCT DEFECT AND FAILURE ANALYSES

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, P.A. has been a service provider of Forklift accidents including sit-down, stand-up narrow aisles pantograph, turret type and Telehandler rough terrain forklifts and pallet jack accident investigation to our legal and insurance clients. He is a certified trainer for the Electric Stand-Up Narrow Aisle Pantograph Reach Forklifts, Turret Forklifts, all four-wheel Standup Forklifts and Telehandlers. Gary has an in-depth engineering knowledge of forklift stability, load center, fork and carriage design, load charts and Newtonian physics for forklifts. He has approximately 20 years of industrial work experience and is an OSHA expert with OSHA 29CFR 1910 and 1926 safety certifications. Gary worked for the inventor of the forklift namely the Clark Equipment Company for five consecutive years. Clark Equipment invented the forklift, the frontend loader, the BobCat skidsteer front-end loader among many other types of earth moving machines and was the main competitor to Caterpillar. Gary has well over 1000+ hours of hands-on work experience operating both sit-down and stand-up forklifts plus five years of industrial work experience machining, assembling forklift and crane drive train components. Gary maintains a current forklift license per the OSHA federal safety regulations 29CFR1910.178. Gary travels throughout the United States and investigates and reconstructs industrial forklift accidents. Gary is one of the leading forklift experts in the United States today.

Crane Accident Reconstruction and Product Defect and Failure Analysis

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group has been a service provider of crane accident investigation to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a board certified Forensics Engineer through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) and is a Diplomat Forensic Engineer (DFE). He has approximately 20 years of industrial work experience and is an OSHA expert with OSHA 29CFR 1910 and 1926 safety certifications. Gary is a mechanical design engineer who has studied the sciences of crane design and crane Newtonian physics. He travels throughout the United States to investigate and reconstruct industrial crane accidents. Gary is one of the leading crane experts in the United States having worked for the Clark Equipment Company where he manufactured rough terrain forklift and rough terrain telescoping boom crane drive train components. Gary has been retained in numerous crane cases to date.

Kinetic Energy Punch and Forming Presses

Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, P.A. has many years of experience working with kinetic energy punch and forming presses as well as press die design. Will investigate the cause of a power press accident.

Household and Industrial Defective Product Analysis

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group has been a service provider of household and industrial defective products to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a board certified Forensics Engineer through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) and is a Diplomat Forensic Engineer (DFE). He has approximately 20 years of industrial work experience and is an certified OSHA expert with OSHA 29CFR 1910, 1926 and 1928 safety. Gary is a mechanical design engineer. He travels throughout the United States to investigate household, industrial and automotive tool defective products.

Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP)
Accident Reconstruction

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, P.A. is a service provider of Mobile Elevated Work Platform accident investigation to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a mechanical design engineer, a licensed Professional Engineer, and he is a board certified Diplomat Forensic Engineer (DFE) through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). He is a certified operator and trainer for the MEWPs which includes stationary Belt and Chain Man Lifts. Gary has an in-depth engineering knowledge of MEWP regulations, stability, load center, Newtonian physics and inspections and maintenance service. He has approximately 20 years of industrial work experience and is an OSHA expert with OSHA 29CFR 1910 and 1926 safety certifications. Gary travels throughout the United States and investigates and reconstructs industrial MEWP accidents.

1) MEWP forensic engineering inspections
2) MEWP maintenance and standards of care analyses
3) MEWP forensic engineering performance testing
4) MEWP operations
5) MEWP forensic engineering component and product defect and failure analyses
6) MEWP safety requirements
7) MEWP personal fall protection equipment PFPE inspection
8) MEWP determine proper machine choice for the job at hand
9) MEWP determine if the machine is designed for indoor or outdoor operation
10) MEWP hazard analyses
11) MEWP training determination and analyses
12) MEWP Safe Use Plan review and analyses
13) MEWP Rescue Plan review and analyses
14) MEWP system document reviews

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) is the new term describing the old term used in the older ANSI standards of Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs). The new laws and standards went into effect on March 1st 2020.

MEWP classifications were created for a combination of two key descriptions below:

The MEWP “Group” determines where the personnel platform is located in reference to the lifting machine’s tipping line. There are two Groups “A” and “B”.

The MEWP “Type” refers to the lifting machine’s ability to travel relative to the personnel platform’s position.

“Group A” are the lifting machines that lift personnel straight up over the machine’s base such as the Scissor Lift or a Stationary Vertical Lift.

“Group B” are the articulated or telescopic boom personnel lifting machines.

“Type 1” personnel lifting machines are stationary, manually propelled or trailer mounted and traveling is allowed with the MEWP in its stowed position. Examples of these MEWPs would be Type 1 Group A 1A Stationary Vertical MEWP; Type 1 Group B 1B Stationary Boom MEWP.

“Type 2” personnel lifting machines traveling with the personnel platform above the base is controlled from the ground using the control panel located on the machine base.

“Type 3” personnel lifting machines are self-propelled and can have the articulated or telescoping booms and traveling with the personnel platform elevated above the base is controlled from the control panel on the personnel platform. Examples of these MEWPs would be Type 3 Group A 3A Platform Controlled Mobile Vertical MEWP; Type 3 Group B 3B Platform Controlled Mobile Boom MEWP.

ANSI Standards that apply to MEWPs are ANSI/SAIA A92 and the ANSI Manual of Responsibility. Canada has a national standard CSA B354.

The MEWP’s Operator’s Manual and the Manual of Responsibility must be kept on the the personnel platform in a water tight compartment usually located down below the control panel.

All operators as well as other occupants in the personnel platform must have a basic level of knowledge of work safety on a MEWP. This includes:

(1) Fall Protection and anchor locations inside the personnel platform.
(2) Factors on how bodily actions and movements can effect stability.
(3) Safe use of accessories.
(4) Any site work procedures MEWP operators and occupants must follow related to the operation of the MEWP.
(5) Hazards associated with the job and their avoidance.
(6) MEWP manufactures warning and instructions listed in the operator’s manual, The Manual of Responsibilities and posted on warning labels located on the machine.
(7) At least one of the MEWP occupants must be trained with the knowledge to operate the personnel platform controls in an emergency when the operator cannot perform this himself/herself.

Hazards Associated With MEWPs:

(1) Tip-Over Hazards
(2) Fall Hazards
(3) Collision Hazards
(4) Electrocution Hazards
(5) Trapping and Crushing

Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE): Any person who will be utilizing a MEWP such as an operator and occupant must utilize PFPE. The selection of PFPE is very important. The length of the PFPE must be shorter than the fall distance by at least 3 feet. PFPE must be replaced every five years even if it looks like it is in excellent condition. Materials making up the PFPE can degrade over time and especially when exposed to direct sunlight. PFPE must be inspected and these inspections must be documented. If the PFPE has been used in a fall, then the entire harness and mechanisms must be discarded. PFPE is an OSHA requirement per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(v); OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.66 and Standards ANSI A92.2; ANSI A92.5; ANSI Z359 and ANSI A10.32. Also refer to the Miller Fall Protection Safety Guide.

Inspections: These machines must be inspected per the manufacturer’s instructions detailed in the Operator’s Manual by each user each day no matter how many users utilize the machine each day. These machines must also be inspected every three months or every 150 hours of use whichever comes first and also annually by a qualified service technician.

Training: Both the supervisors and operators must be trained and certified to operate and inspect these machines. All training must be documented. Re-Training may be required depending on the following situation:

(1) Expired operator’s training period.
(2) Operator’s performance has deteriorated.
(3) Near miss.
(4) Operator was involved in an accident.
(5) Operator has gone for an extended period of time without operating a MEWP.
(6) The operator has been assigned to a different MEWP with different technology.

Safe Use Program: The Owner/User must develop a Safe Use Program that includes but is not limited to the following:

(1) Risk Assessment to identify all hazards, develop control plans and communications for every employee who operates MEWPs.
(2) Selection of suitable MEWPs; MEWP Range of Motion and Associated Equipment.
(3) Access, preparation and maintenance of the work site which will include an assessment of the Support Surface which must be adequate to support the weight of the MEWP, its occupants and accessories.
(4) MEWP maintenance including all inspections and repairs as required.
(5) Inform the operator of site requirements and warnings to provide a means for protection against identified hazards in the area where the MEWP will be utilized.
(6) Must have a trained and qualified supervisor to monitor the activities of the operator to ensure compliance with the ANSI/SAIS A92 standard.
(7) Prevention of unauthorized use of a MEWP.
(8) Safety of personnel not involved with the operation of the MEWP such as pedestrians.

Rescue Plan: This plan will be performed in case of a machine breakdown, platform entanglement or fall. The Rescue Plan must be in writing and become part of the companies training manual. All users must receive this training that explains the procedures in case of an entanglement or fall. This plan must limit the time a properly retrained user hangs suspended below the MEWP. A Rescue Plan can include:

(1) Self-Rescue by the user utilizing the appropriate equipment.
(2) Assisted Rescue by others that witness the event on the work site.
(3) Technical Rescue by the fire department and/or EMS.

AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE ACCIDENTS RECONSTRUCTION AND PRODUCT DEFECT AND FAILURE ANALYSES

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, P.A. has been a forensics engineering service provider of amusement park ride accidents to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a mechanical design engineer, a licensed Professional Engineer, and he is a board certified Diplomat Forensic Engineer (DFE) through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). Gary travels throughout the United States to investigate Amusement Park Ride accidents concerning product defect and failure claims resulting in personal injury or wrongful death. Gary is very knowledgeable of the ASTM F24 Standards for Amusement Park Rides, Posted Ride Documentation and Safety Requirements and is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).

Motorcycle Product Defect and Failure

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, PA has been a service provider of forensic engineering in motorcycle crash reconstruction and motorcycle product defect and failure analyses to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a board certified Forensics Engineer through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) and is a Diplomat Forensic Engineer (DFE). He is a mechanical design engineer who has studied the engineering sciences of machine design and automotive engineering. He has extensive engineering education, training and experience in motorcycle crash reconstruction and motorcycle safety. Gary is an avid motorcycle rider for over 50 years and has advanced motorcycle riders training through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). Gary travels throughout the United States to investigate motorcycle crashes, perform product defect and failure claims resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.

ATV/AATV/ROV/UTV Crash Reconstruction and Product Defect and Failure Analyses

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, P.A. has been a service provider of ATV/AATV/ROV/UTV crash reconstruction and product defect and failure analyses to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a mechanical design engineer, a licensed Professional Engineer, and he is a board certified Diplomat Forensic Engineer (DFE) through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). He has extensive engineering education, training and experience in ATV/ROV/AATV crash reconstruction and product defect and failure analyses. He holds ATV and ROV riders certifications through both the ATV Safety Institute and The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association. Gary has studied the sciences of vehicle crash reconstruction and has certifications through Northwestern University’s Center For Public Safety in motor vehicle crash reconstruction. Gary has owned and operated a Honda TRX 420 Rancher All-Terrain Vehicle and has been an avid ATV rider for many years and is an ATV/ROV/AATV crash reconstruction, product defect and failure and safety expert. Gary travels throughout the United States to investigate motorcycle crashes, product defect and failure claims resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.

Gym Strength Training Machine Accidents

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, P.A. has been a forensics engineering service provider of Gym Strength Training Machine Accidents to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a mechanical design engineer, a licensed Professional Engineer, and he is a board certified Diplomat Forensic Engineer (DFE) through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). Gary has been involved in physical fitness, strength training and body building for approximately 50 years and has utilized many brands of free weights and strength training machines. Gary travels throughout the United States to investigate gym strength training machine accidents concerning machine function, maintenance and component defect and failure analyses resulting in personal injury. Gary is knowledgeable of the ASTM fitness equipment standards.

Motor Vehicle Crash Reconstruction

Since 2003, Gary E. Kilpatrick, PE, DFE at The Kilpatrick Group, PA has been a service provider of motor vehicle crash reconstruction to our legal and insurance clients. Gary is a board certified Diplomat Forensic Engineer through the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). He is a mechanical design engineer who has studied the sciences of machine design and automotive design engineering. He has extensive engineering education, training and experience in motor vehicle crash reconstruction and product defect and failure analyses. Gary is an avid ATV/ROV rider and ATV/ROV expert, and he is an avid motorcycle rider and motorcycle expert for over 50 years. He also has a Class-A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). He has driven commercial tractor trailer trucks and has tanker, hazardous materials, triples, passenger bus, school bus and motorcycle endorsements. He holds certifications through Northwestern University’s Center For Public Safety in motor vehicle crash reconstruction and commercial tractor trailer truck crash reconstruction. Gary was a part-time substitute NC School Bus driver and School Bus Safety Expert.

Who are our clients?

We work with law firms, public defenders and insurance companies on civil plaintiff, civil defendant, criminal and insurance claimant cases.

How can you contact The Kilpatrick Group, PA?

We are headquartered in Jamestown North Carolina. You can contact us at 336-841-6354 to discuss you case with us. Visit our website at www.thekilpatrickgrouppa.com for our services.