Case Examples

Unusual Case: Industrial Accident

Wrongful Death

A man was found lying and near death next to a crane. The crane had two levels. The top level, which the operator sat in, could pivot 360 degrees. The man's chest and abdomen were crushed. A number of his ribs were fractured and he had extensive internal organ damage. Shortly after someone arrived at the scene, he died. He could not speak and there were no eye witnesses. The autopsy report showed that there were various patterns of abrasions on his chest and back.

Exactly how did this accident occur?

Unusual Case: Motor vehicle accidents

Wrongful Death

A heavy truck going 70 mph struck the rear of a 2nd heavy truck going 40 mph. The male driver of the 2nd truck was found dead in the cab of his truck after having suffered an atlanto-occipital dislocation (i.e., dislocation of the skull), fractured ribs and facial injuries. Eye witnesses said they spoke to a man who walked over to them from the 2nd truck and who did not appear injured and then saw the man return to the 2nd truck.

What was the mechanism of the fatal injury?
Did the injuries result from the collision or from some unrelated trauma?