Safety First is a partnership of two of the top experts in the field of play area safety and injury prevention: Dr. Susan Hudson and Dr. Donna Thompson. The two individuals represent over 60 years of experience in the Physical Education, Leisure, and Recreation field.
Safety First is dedicated to helping make play areas safe in America. Cases that have been handled through the organization include those involving recreation and school supervision; design of recreation, school, and childcare facilities; developmental appropriateness of equipment of public recreation facilities; issues of adequate surfacing; lack of maintenance procedures and process. Both individuals are well-versed in Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines with public playgrounds and American Society for Testing and Materials standards for recreation areas. Both are highly prolific authors, and have presented at numerous national conferences across the nation.
Cases are reviewed on their merits. Both consultants have provided expert testimony for either plantiffs or defendants. Contact either by e-mail or phone for more information.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Contact Safety First for extensive resume of both Dr. Hudson and Dr. Thompson
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Memberships in all major Physical Education and Recreation professional organizations as well as those in the childcare industry and CPSC and ASTM
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Dr. Hudson has been teaching at the University level for over35 years dealing with subject matter of recreation, leisure and human services.
Dr. Thompson has been teaching at the University and Elementary levels for 35 years dealing with the subject matter of Physical Education.
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: Both Dr. Thompson and Dr. Hudson has individually been retained as an expert since the early 80's. Safety First was organized in 1998. Since that time, the organization has averaged at least 10 inquires per year.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: School supervision, Sports related issues, Recreational Facility Design, Playground related issues at home and in public use.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Safety First works with both plaintiff and defendant.
Approximately 60% of cases involve the plaintiff
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Safety Frist works with both plaintiff and defendant.
Approzimately 40% of cases involve the defendant.
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Combined, both Dr. Thompson and Dr. Hudson have given over 100 depositions.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: Average one deposition per year. Last deposition was in 2009.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Have always been qualified by a court to give expert testimony.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: While both Dr. Hudson and Dr. Thompson have had court experience, over 95% of cases that they have handled have settled out of court.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Combined for approximately 30 years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections, and review of documents.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: 250.00 flat fee per hour.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: 250.00 flat fee per hour.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 250.00 flat fee per hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: 250.00 flat fee per hour
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: phone calls, office supplies, faxes, travel, hotel, mailing, etc.
