Dangerous Zip Line Course Causes Serious Injuries

This case involves a zip line course at a Carribean resort. On the date of the incident in question, the Plaintiff was a guest of the resort who had purchased tickets for the zip line course along with her husband. The Plaintiff noted that she received no safety instructions from resort staff regarding the proper technique for using the zip line. At the end of the line, the Plaintiff came in at a high rate of speed, impacting a tree and suffering serious injuries.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. What is your experience designing and operating zip line courses?

2. Have you ever reviewed a similar case?

Expert Witness Response E-074318

I have over 26 years of experience in the adventure course and zip line industry. From 1990 until 2007, I worked for a large provider of zip line experiences, eventually serving as their Engineering and Technical Product Manager. I was a designer and installer for adventure courses and designed many pieces of equipment. I was also their internal legal affairs consultant. Since 2007, I've been an independent consultant. I have served as an expert on many cases, initially as an employee of Project Adventure and then on several cases as an independent expert witness. I am the chair of the Standards Development Committee at the Association for Challenge Course Technology, so I am very familiar with industry standards. This is a common occurrence on zip line courses in which standard safety features and training are not present.