Dr. Purswell has been qualified as an expert in Human Factors, Ergonomics, and Industrial Safety (including OSHA issues) and Product Safety. He has testified in numerous cases with respect to the adequacy of product warnings and instructions. Example products include silica, cleaning chemicals, gasoline containers, and recreational equipment. Dr. Purswell has also been qualified with respect to issues such as ergonomic work practices, perception/reaction time issues, audible alarms, including backup alarms, and working/walking surfaces. Dr. Purswell maintains NIST-calibrated equipment for the measurement of light, sound, force, and whole-body and hand-arm vibration in addition to standard photo and video equipment.
In addition to litigation support, Dr. Purswell has consulted with numerous product manufacturers to design appropriate warning labels, manuals, and material safety data sheets. Dr. Purswell has also conducted OSHA audits for employers to identify and correct workplace hazards.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Ph.D. (Industrial and Systems Engineering, Human Factors Option), 1997, Virginia Tech
M.S. (Industrial Engineering), 1989, Univ. of Oklahoma
B.S. (Chemistry/Biology), 1986, Oklahoma Baptist University
Licensed Professional Engineer (Chair of the IE PE Exam committee)
Certified Professional Ergonomist
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
International Society for Occupational Ergonomics and Safety
American Industrial Hygiene Association
American Council of Government Industrial Hygienists
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Colorado State University-Pueblo (1999-present), Adjunct Professor of Industrial Engineering. Taught the graduate ergonomics course and the senior level occupational and product safety course.
Presentations at annual meetings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the International Society for Occupational Ergonomics and Safety.
Taught portions of a CPE-preparation course for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No.
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: More than 100
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Design and testing of warnings and instruction manuals;
Hazard Communication;
Employer training and supervision, especially as it relates to the use of personal protective equipment and Lockout/Tagout procedures;
Perception/reaction time;
Ergonomic work practices;
Working and walking Surfaces (slip, trip and fall);
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 25%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 75%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Approximately 60 times
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 2009
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: I have testified in Federal and state courts approximately 20 times. To the best of my knowledge, I have been subject to Daubert challenges twice. In both cases, the challenges were unsuccessful and my testimony was neither excluded nor limited.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 15-20 times
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Since 1997
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Expert witness consulting including site inspections, document review, drafting Rule 26-compliant reports, deposition and trial testimony;
Design and testing of instruction manuals and on-product warnings;
OSHA audits for employers;
Training for employers in how to benchmark their safey performance against their industry;
Training for employers in how to prepare for an OSHA inspection and what to expect.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $250/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $250/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $250/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $250/hour
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Total time is calculated on a portal-to-portal basis. Travel time in excess of 8 hours in one day is billed at a reduced rate of $85/hour. Travel and direct office expenses are billed at cost. Airfare and other travel costs are are billed at lowest available coach fare plus the cost of an upgrade. Refer to fee schedule at www.purswell.com/JP_rates.htm for a complete statement of rates and charges.
