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 |
6.
Jones Act Investigation Check List |
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FIVE - F.E.L.A. AND F.E.C.A. ACCIDENTS |
1.
Overview 2. Federal Employers Liability Act |
| A.
Boiler Inspection Act Of 1911 B. Safety Appliance Acts Of 1893 C. Accident
Reports Act D. Summary |
3.
Federal Employees Compensation Act |
SECTION
THREE: MISCELLANEOUS |
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SIX - MALPRACTICE INVESTIGATIONS |
1. Overview 2 Medical Malpractice |
| A. Generic Medical Records Checklist |
(1) Registration Section (2) Emergency
Section (3) Physician Documentation (4) Surgery Section (5) Physicians'
Orders (6) Social Services Section (7) Clinical Tests/Procedures
(8) Blood Section (9) Respiratory/Pulmonary Section (10) Burn Unit
(11) Rehabilitation Section (12) Nutrition/Diabetic Section (13) Medication
Section (14) Nursing Section (15) Discharge/Death Section (16) Correspondence
And Communications | |
| B.
Common Hospital Charting Abbreviations |
(1) Non-Lethal Cardiac Rhythms (2) Dangerous Or Lethal
Cardiac Rhythms (3) Other Charting Abbreviations | |
| C. Common Prescription Abbreviations |
| D. Common Medical Record Deficiencies |
(1) Checking A Chart (2) Consents
(3) Surgery/Recovery Room (4) Physician's Orders (5) Progress Notes
(6) Nurse's Notes (7) Emergency Room (8) Obstetrics - Nursery |
|
| E. "Red Flags"' In Medical
Records F. Summary |
3.
Attorney Malpractice |
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SEVEN - WORK PLACE DISCRIMINATIONS |
1. Overview 2. Hiring Practices 3. Work Place Violations
|
| A Discrimination B Sexual Harassment
C. Whistle Blower Harassment |
4. Wrongful Terminations |
CHAPTER
THIRTY-EIGHT SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE EXPERTISE REQUIRED |
1. Overview 2. Child Endangerment
3. Sexual Injury 4. Aircraft Crashes 5. Ship Wrecks 6. Train Wrecks
7. Fires 8. Fraud 9. Hazardous Waste |
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE - SERVICE OF
PROCESS |
1. Overview
2. Common Types Of Process |
| A.Subpoena
B. Subpoena Deuces Tecum C. Summons And Complaint |
3. Types Of Valid Service |
| A. Personal Service |
|
| B. Substitute Service |
(1) Individual Defendants (2) Entity Defendants |
|
| C. Service By Mail D.
Service By Publication |
4.
On Call Notice 5. Witness Fees 6. Proof Of Service 7. Proof Of
Service Memo 8. When The Investigator Is Served |
CHAPTER FORTY - THE REPORT |
1. Overview 2. Sample Report Format
3. What Not To Put In A Report 4. Two Very Poor Reports Of Actual Investigations
5. Summary |
CHAPTER
FORTY-ONE - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION |
1.
Overview 2. Business Entities And Relationships |
| A.
Corporation B. Company C. Partnership D. Subsidiary E. Joint
Venture F. Doing Business As (DBA) G. Obtaining Information |
3. Checking Out Jurors 4. Alcohol Impairment
Chart |
CHAPTER
FORTY-TWO CLIENT ACCOUNT SHEETS AND BILLINGPROCEDURES |
1. Posting Client Account Sheets
2. Billing Procedures 3. Summary |
SECTION FOUR: |
RESOURCES |
1. Investigation Organizations 2. U S
Government Sources 3. Private Organizations |
RECOMMENDED READING |
BIBLIOGRAPHY
|
SECTION FIVE: GLOSSARY
OF TERMS |
SECTION SIX: INDEX |
SECTION SEVEN: TEAR OUT FORMS AND FORMATS |