Peter Howell, PE, CSP is a chemical engineer with over 40 years of experience in the chemical industry and accident investigation. He knows the OSHA and EPA regulations and engineering standards required to operate a chemical facility, refinery, pulp & paper mill or similar facility in a safe and responsible manner. Failure to comply with these regulations and standards is usually the root cause of the fire, explosion or release of toxic chemicals incident.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: BS Chemical Engineering
Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and West Virginia
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
American Society of Safety Engineers
American Chemical Society
Nation Fire Protection Association
National Association of Fire Investigators
Reactive Chemicals Roundtable
Local Emergency Planning Committee
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Process Safety Management - Teaching
Accident investigation - Teaching
Reactive Chemical Hazards - Speaking
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: ~20
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Chemical plant fire, explosion or toxic material release. Refinery fire or explosion. Pulp and paper release of hazardous energy (Lockout/Tagout and Confined Space). Confined space entry and exposure to toxic vapors. Exposure to pyroporic materials. Paper mill explosion. Cement plant hazardous waste fire.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 90%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 10%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: ~12
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: November 2008
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Every time I have been asked to testify.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 3
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 8
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Determination of the root causes of the incident, site inspections, expert reports, expert witness, Assist the attorney in presenting the facts to the jury in a manner that they will understand.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: 225
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: 225
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 225
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: 225
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Work which requires travel, other than local travel, is billed at $2,700 per day. No charge for normal office expenses such as copies, telephone, mail. Outside copy services, FedEx delivery is billed at cost. Travel expenses at cost.
References
Any of the attorneys shown in my resume, including:Jim Hart
Williams Kherkher Hart and Boundas
8441 Gulf Freeway, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77017
713.230.2200
James Payne or Paul Ferguson
Provost Umphrey Law Firm
PO Box 4905
Beaumont, Texas 77704
409.835.6000
Arthur Gonzalez, Byran Buchanan or Joseph Gourrier
Brent Coon and Associates
300 Fannin
Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 225-1682
Mike Perrin
Bailey, Perrin and Bailey
440 Louisiana, Suite 2100
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 425-7237
Beny Agusto
Abraham Watkins
800 Commerce Street
Houston, TX 77002-1776
(800) 870-9584
John Norris
Norris & Norris
424 Church Street, Suite 1300
Nashville, TN 37219-3310
(615) 627-3960
Jackie Dixon
Hollins, Wagster & Yarbrough, PC
2210 Sun Trust Tower
424 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 256-6666
