Defective Exhaust System Causes Chronic Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

This case involves a family that suffered physical harm as a result of an allegedly malfunctioning exhaust pipe on their truck. The truck was a late-model heavy duty pickup truck that had recently been purchased by the Plaintiff. The truck was in regular use by the owner and his young child, both of whom regularly suffered from headaches, nausea, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. Eventually, the Plaintiff took the truck in for repair and the exhaust was replaced. It was alleged that the manufacturer’s exhaust was defectively designed and / or manufactured.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please briefly describe your experience with the design and engineering of automotive exhaust systems.

Expert Witness Response E-007975

I have BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering, and am a licensed Professional Engineer, in Illinois, Michigan and South Carolina. I have 25 years of design engineering experience in automotive and commercial vehicle companies. I have not designed current exhaust systems, but am familiar with vehicle exhaust components. I have investigated service and repair related claims since consulting. I have had cases involving Dodge Ram trucks. This sounds like a straight forward investigation, based on the information supplied. I have extensive exhaust design experience based on my many years in the automotive industry. I am also experienced with service and repairs, and can help assess what was repaired, and what was not. The fasteners, comparison to mating components, and level of corrosion are all analyzed in these types of evaluations. An incorrectly installed or defective exhaust should be easy to identify and document.