Providing expert witness, forensic analysis, litigation support, and consulting mechanical engineering services related to product failures with valve accidents, valve leaks, pressure vessels, piping accidents, tanks, vents, industrial accidents, and other mechanical components. Serving plaintiff or defendant.

Experienced expert witness. Over thirty years of experience in mechanical design and solving mechanical problems. Paul R. Ostand, P.E. has extensive experience with manufacturing methods, is a patentee in the field, and designed mechanical products for the following industries.

• ·Valves for various industries, including chemical, petroleum, food processing, general industrial, commercial, sanitary, tank venting, and instrumentation.

• ·Tank blanketing valves and systems for nitrogen blanketing and inerting to protect product and environment.

• ·Hazardous fluid handling equipment for service station gasoline handling products, fuel storage, fuel transfer; bulk plant tank valves, vents and fittings; tank transport valves, vents, and fittings.

• ·Construction & Industrial equipment and machinery; mobile and fixed.

These expert services are performed by an analysis of the product failure taking into consideration product design, application of engineering sciences, testing, manufacturing methods, quality control, field performance, adherence to good engineering practice and relevant codes, as well as meeting the standards of other products offered in the industry.

Preparations for testimony at depositions and trial will provide the attorney with litigation support and the necessary technical information and understanding of how the product functions or failed to perform discovery and thoroughly question a witness.

Ostand's background as an experienced designer,inventor, and employment in industry, will provide a firm and valuable foundation to professionally evaluate product performance or failure, such as a valve accident, valve failure or valve leakage, as well as accidents, injury and damage due to a valve leak, tank rupture due to a vent failure, fuel leaks, chemical leaks, tank leaks, piping accidents and other mechanical product failures that Ostand has had experience with and can establish his credibility before a jury.

As an expert, Ostand has investigated and testified in cases involving accidents, industrial valve failure, valve leaks, tank vent failure caused by vent freezing, solenoid valve leakage, bulk plant loading arm valve spill, aircraft fuel valve leak, and industrial lift truck brake failure. These accidents and product failures had resulted in property damages, spillage, fire, personal injuries and in several cases, loss of life.

About Valve Failures

Most valve failures are due to a valve leak and in most cases valve leaks are evaluated by performing an expert investigation of the installation, piping system, and an external as well as an internal examination of the valve for causes for the valve failure.

The most common reasons for valve leaks are packing failure, o-ring failure or seal failure. Other causes include structural failure, improper installation or operation, and valve modification.

Whether you represent the plaintiff or defendant the same actions are appropriate regarding the failed product. Whenever possible the accident valve is examined (and documented) to determine cause(s) of the valve failure which might be due to internal wear or component failure, design fault, manufacturing error, improper application or even tampering. Manufacturers' records, and engineering files are utilized to aid in establishing the condition of the valve to determine the cause of the valve leak or failure. The accident valve may, in certain cases, be subjected to testing to determine its ability to function according to specification and need. In all cases, make a prompt and thorough documentation of the details of the accident, take possession of the failed product and establish a chain of custody.

Ostand's engineering valve design experience within manufacturing organizations makes him uniquely qualified to perform these investigations and to evaluate the condition of the leaking or failed valve.

Call to discuss Ostand's experience and ability to represent your client's needs for the case in question.

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