TABLE OF CONTENTS

7 Sections
42 Chapters
1,184 Fact - Filled Pages

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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
A. Evidence Card
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
A. Finding The 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
(1) Reasonable Diligence
 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
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