Defective Bicycle Helmet Fails to Prevent Brain Damage

This case takes place in Florida and involves a bicycle accident. The plaintiff was riding on her bicycle when she was struck by the defendant, who was also riding a bicycle. The plaintiff hit her head on the ground during the accident, however the strap for the helmet had detached during the accident, causing the helmet to come off of her head before she impacted the ground. Since the helmet did not protect the patient during the accident, she suffered severe brain damage. The plaintiff seeks an expert to evaluate the helmet in question and determine the cause of malfunction.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please discuss your background in developing helmets 2. What are some potential reasons the helmet came off the plaintiff? 3. Have you ever served as an expert witness on a case similar to the one described above? If so, please explain.

Expert Witness Response E-010692

This case is right in my area of expertise and I am glad to assist. I am highly qualified to evaluate the helmet and determine the cause of its malfunction. Currently, I am an assistant professor for bioengineering at a major university and a director of traumatic brain injury at a major hospital. I have the facilities in my biomechanics laboratory to evaluate the helmet with comparison to other Department of Transportation certified bicycle helmets. Bicycle helmets should absolutely not come off during impact. They are intended to prevent head injuries. I anticipate that some essential defect in the design and/or manufacture of the helmet caused it to come off the plaintiffs head. I have reviewed a number of bicycle helmet cases as an expert witness, and I am glad to discuss further.