Analyzing Design Issues in a Product Safety Matter

In a large class action lawsuit regarding an increased safety risk stemming from an alleged product defect, counsel asked a team from Analysis Group to identify an expert in engineering and designing human/machine interfaces, who could assess the product manufacturers’ safety-related processes and their consideration of the human component in the product design process. The team supported this expert, who had not previously been deposed, in his evaluation of various “signals of deficiencies” in the manufacturers’ design and monitoring processes. Specifically, under the expert’s guidance, the team looked at process and product development as well as consumer complaint data associated with the product.