Worker Suffers Permanent Injuries in Loading Dock Accident

This case involves a warehouse employee who suffered permanent and debilitating injuries due to an allegedly defective loading dock design. On the date of the incident in question, the worker had been tasked with unloading a trailer full of avocados that had recently arrived at the warehouse facility. When the worker and his crew had finished unloading the truck, he stepped outside and positioned himself between the truck and the loading dock in order to retrieve a dropped tool. Suddenly, the truck rolled backwards while the driver attempted to pull away, pinning the man between the trailer and the loading dock. As a result of the accident, the man incurred significant medical expenses and is unable to work.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please describe your background in designing loading docks.

2. What protocols or parameters are typically in place to safeguard against structural safety issues in safety docks?

Expert Witness Response E-120204

I have extensive technical and practical experience in conducting safety investigations and conducting accident reconstruction analysis. I have personally conducted investigations and analyzed more than 2,500 accident cases in the past 12 years, several of those have been at loading docks. Additionally, as a safety engineer, I am familiar with roadway design, including the design and practical application of loading docks. Although it is permissible for loading docks to have an adjacent driveway slope (if the loading dock has a low grade), it should be a slope of 3-5%, and not exceed 6%. The regulations that govern Loading Docks (loading and unloading) are covered in OSHA (29 CFR 1910). I have analyzed several cases involving tractor trailers, loading docks and vehicle vs. pedestrian collisions.