This case takes place in Pennsylvania and involves a man who slipped on a sheet of ice and broke his wrist while on her commute. The average temperature the day prior well below freezing. The man was walking on the sidewalk, which was free of snow and ice, until he encountered a sheet of ice that blocked his path. The man observed water flowing from a fire hydrant and down the driveway of an apartment complex to the area where the sheet of ice was situated. He walked onto the street to avoid the ice, but upon encountering a mound of snow at the intersection, he was forced to cross the path of the flowing water. As a result, he slipped, fell, and broke his wrist. A forensic science expert in meteorology was retained to determine how much time would be needed to have elapsed for the sheet to form, based on the weather conditions.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Are you an expert in climatology/meteorology/weather? Please explain your qualifications.
2. Do you frequently study winter weather and icy conditions and can you explain the properties of water and ice?
3. With relevant data, can you determine how long a flowing stream of water would take to form as ice?
Expert Witness Response E-017526
I am highly qualified to review this case and glad to assist. I have authored hundreds of reports documenting weather conditions involved in slip and fall cases over the past 35 years. It is possible to make an estimate of the time it would take a flowing stream of water to freeze. That would certainly depend on the current air temperature, but also the wind direction and relative humidity at the time in question. In addition, the conditions during the preceding days are important in order to determine the temperature of the surface over which the water is flowing. The temperature of the water, the slope and composition of the surface are also important factors. I have been qualified as an expert in meteorology in dozens of court appearances across the United States over the past 30 years. I have a Bachelors, Masters and PhD degree in meteorology, and was a weather observer and forecaster in the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Air National Guard. In addition, I have presented weather forecasts on radio and television across the country for the past 40 years.
About the author
Joseph O'Neill
Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.
