Mr. Bladen has a degree in mechanical engineering specializing in product failure analysis and accident reconstruction. Current work includes the analysis of heavy truck, elevators, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents as well as seat belt systems, occupant kinematics and mechanical products/systems.
Benedict Engineering Company, Inc. focuses on forensic engineering (accident reconstruction) and consulting engineering and is also involved in the research, development and design of products and systems. Our engineering team represents a variety of engineering disciplines; mechanical, biomechanical, biomedical, civil, safety, industrial, metallurgy and materials. This diversity enables us to reconstruct a variety of types of accidents; automobile, truck, aircraft, boat, train, bicycle, ATV, product, roadway design, electrocution, fire and explosion, slip/trip and fall, "black box" (EDR), and more. The BEC services include investigation and documentation of the scene, engineering analysis, and creating all types of graphics in-house to support the engineering analysis during testimony in deposition and trial.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Registration:
State of Florida Professional Engineer No. 53267
Education:
Utah State University ñ Logan, Utah
1994 - M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Utah State University ñ Logan, Utah
1991 - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Executive Officer 2002- 2003
Florida Engineering Society (FES)
National Society for Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
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: Over 750
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Accident reconstruction including vehicle dynamics and occupant kinematics of accidents involving automobiles, tractor-trailers, motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycles. Product failure analysis of a wide variety of products including mechanical jacks, ladders, door locks, ceiling fans and others. Automotive product analysis including seatbelts, airbags, seat backs, roof crush and others. Slip and fall and trip and fall cases involving slip index testing and building code violations.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Roughly 50%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Roughly 50%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 35
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: April 17th, 2003.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Roughly 10
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Roughly 10
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 6
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Consulting, scene inspection and documentation including accurate mapping using survey gear, evidence inspection and documentation, testing, evidence storage including vehicles.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: 175
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: 175
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 175
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: 175
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel time is billed portal to portal, travel expenses are billed. All copies are billed, evidence storage is billed, and usage of specialized equipment is billed.
References
PlaintiffMr. James (Jim) Kelleher
Morgan, Colling & Gilbert
20 N Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32802
Phone #: 407-420-1414
Mr. William (Bill) Stone
Law Offices of Boone & Stone
107 College Street
Blakely, GA 31723
Phone #: 912-723-3045
Mr. Martin Arnowitz
Martin G. Arnowitz, P.A.
1625 Hendry St, Ste 102
Fort Myers FL 33901
Phone #: 239-332-8818
Mr. Henry Valenzuela
The Law Firm of Henry E. Valenzuela, P.A.
100 N Tampa St., Ste 1825,
Tampa FL 33602
Phone #: 813-272-1000
Mr. George Nader
Trenam & Kemker, et al
101 E Kennedy Blvd, Ste 2700
Tampa FL 33602
Phone #: 813-222-8541
Mr. Marcus Viles
Viles & Ellis, P.A.
2075 W First St, Ste 100
Fort Myers FL 33901
Phone #: 239-334-3933
Defense
Mr. Larry Smith
Smith, Aguilar and Sieron
8709 S., Glen Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone #: 904-264-6000
Mr. Joe Lopez
Fowler White
501 E. Kennedy Blvd., Ste 1600
Tampa, FL 33601
Phone #: 813-222-1182
Mr. Ken Deacon
Deacon and Moulds
100 Second Ave. S., Ste 902-S
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone #: 727-369-7010
Mr. Todd McClimans
Allstate Insurance Co.
740 Carillon Pkwy.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Phone #: 727-571-8200
Ms. Ann Plotz
State Farm Insurance Co.
280 Corporate Circle
Palm Bay, FL 32909
Phone #: 321-953-7621
