Dr. Pratt provides litigation consulting in the areas of structures, mechanisms, latches and fasteners.
Before retiring as an aerospace industry executive in 2005, Dr. Pratt co-invented and led the development of the post-9/11 secure (terrorist-proof) cockpit door decompression latches now installed on half the world's fleet of aircraft. Previously Dr. Pratt invented and commercialized the first viable blind fastening system for laminated composites. After 24 years, that system (Monogram Aerospace Fasteners' Composi-Lok©) remains one of the most-used structural blind fasteners for composite airframe assembly. Recent litigation consulting projects have included aircraft engine cylinder head bolt failure analysis, aircraft hanger wind-induced anchorage loss, and motor home retractable bunk mechanism analysis.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: BSME and MSME from California State University, Fullerton, and PhD Civil Engineering (Structural Mechanics) University of California, Irvine. Professional engineer License, CA, 1979.
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE/CSPE)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
American Society of Metals (ASM)
Society of Forensic Engineers and Scientists (SFES-Candidate)
Current Chairman of the finite element analysis working group (FEAWG) of FAA/DoD MMPDS--the handbook used by aircraft designers for allowable materials and joint properties.
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Presented a paper at a NASA conference on fastening of advanced composite structures. Numerous speaking engagements and executive briefings during employment as Engineering Executive at Monogram, Textron, and Hartwell Corporations.
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: Fourteen times for litigation purposes.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Patent infringement, helicopter crashes (2), airplane crash, wind damage to structures (2), injury involving over-cab bunk in a motor home, anti-trust. Three of these were wrongful death suits.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately half.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately half.
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Approximately nine times for five different cases.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 1999.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: My cases have been settling before trial.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Twice in an anti-trust case.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: On and off since 1979 as an aerospace industry executive, and full time since June 2005.
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Litigation consulting, site inspections, testing, analysis, reports, deposition and trial testimony.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Fee schedule is available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Fee schedule is available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Fee schedule is available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Fee schedule is available upon request.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Fee schedule is available upon request.
