FORCON INTERNATIONAL CORP. CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES

Providing forensic engineering and expert services to the insurance claim and self-insured industries requires a high standard of exceptional skill and integrity when investigating a “scope of service” to determine fault and/or liability.

The following is a list of approved continuing education courses that have been designed and are presented by Forcon Associates who are true forensic engineers and/or experts in their field/s. The courses are informative, educational and productive and include reference handouts that provide information that can be immediately used on existing or future files. The presentations are very visual using completed investigations to illustrate and emphasize the important aspects of the course focus.

Forcon International Corp. utilizes the courses to introduce Forcon Associates to the pro-active insurance claims, related defense industries and existing clients that require experienced “state -of-the-art”, peripheral visioned and court tested engineering disciplines and experts to investigate a “scope of service” in a complete and efficient manner to determine their liability.

There is no charge for the courses when presented to industries that utilize forensic engineering and expert services to investigate their claim position. Please contact Robert A. “Bob” Dwyre - National Marketing Director for additional information, discuss logistics or schedule a course.

A Cursory Look at Failures in Engineered Materials (1 Hour Optional CE Credit for FL Adjusters)

The accepted theory regarding mechanical failures of engineered components or parts is that fractures initiate and propagate from internal or external flaws or defects in the material from which the component is made. These defects can be introduced into a component in any number of ways. This seminar is a cursory look at what the analyst requires and needs to do to answer the question of root-causation. The presentation will be illustrated by case studies in which both proper and improper failure analyses were performed.

Analyzing and Evaluating Same Level Fall Claims Using Forensic Biomechanics (2 Hours Optional CE Credits for FL Adjusters; 2 Hours General CLE Credits for FL Attorneys)

The same level fall is a common and costly event rampant with the improper assessment of liability. Most such falls are claimed to be slip and fall. However, there are five categories of same level falls. The SLIP, TRIP, STUMBLE, TUMBLE and CRUMPLE each having their own “finger prints” with respect to occurring or non-occurring injuries. This course takes a look at the intrinsic biomechanical investigation of the same level fall claim and presents information that can be used to determine the category of the fall, the legitimacy of the fall episode, the injury mechanism and the questions to ask thereby allowing for proper placement of liability. The intrinsic investigation can reveal pre-existing conditions and staged events. Knowing and understanding the five ways of falling and being able to eliminate the slip and/or trip category from a fall episode, greatly reduces premises liability exposure associated with same level falls. Case histories are utilized to examine each fall category.

Assessment of Cracks in Concrete Masonry Structures (1 Hour Optional CE Credits for FL Adjusters; 1 Hour General CLE Credit for FL Attorneys)

Cracking in concrete masonry structures are common place but may be a sign of potential problems caused by settling, design flaws or external influences. This course identifies the different types of concrete and masonry cracks or anomalies and looks at the probable cause, proper course of investigation and possible methods of repair for various types of distress in concrete and masonry.

Commercial Vehicle Crash Scene Management Techniques (4 Hours Law CE Credits for FL Adjusters; 4.5 Hours General CLE Credits for FL Attorneys; 4 Hours CE General Credits for GA, NC and TX Adjusters)

Proper documentation of crash scene physical evidence is one of the most important phases in the commercial vehicle accident reconstruction process and critical in determining who was at fault and where the liability lies. This course illustrates the basics of the accident reconstruction process and the importance of proper documentation of physical evidence. Completed crash scene investigations will be utilized to visually show how law enforcement and other agency investigations can be wrong by either ignoring or not seeing critical evidence. “Cutting edge” reconstruction techniques to document physical evidence will be introduced and discussed. The latest information on download techniques, data retrievable from engine “electronic control modules” (ECMs) and automobile “black boxes” will be presented. The course stresses the importance of team work during the initial phases of a crash scene investigation and throughout the reconstruction process.

Examination of Injuries Alleged in Low Speed Collisions (1 or 2 Hour Course Available for Optional CE Credits for FL Adjusters; Only the 2 Hour Course available for General CLE Credits for FL Attorneys)

A cursory examination and analysis of the low speed collision and commonly alleged injuries from this event. These injuries are examined to determine if they have a rational or reasonable underlying bases for causation to substantiate the injury. The means and methods for uncovering baseless, ill-founded and unsupportable alleged injuries in the low speed collision will also be discussed.

Evaluating Slip and Fall Claims Using Forensic Biomechanics (3 Hours Law CE Credits for FL Adjusters; 3 Hours General CE Credits for NC and TX Adjusters)

This course incorporates the above listed 2 hour Analyzing and Evaluating Same Level Fall Claims Using Forensic Biomechanics with an additional hour devoted to the extrinsic investigation of the same level fall. Site documentation requirements will be discussed to include a review of surface testing equipment and a demonstration of the “cutting edge” English XL™ Slip-Resistance Tester.

Determining Fault in Electric Contact Injuries (2 Hour Optional CE Credits for FL Adjusters; 2 Hour General CLE Credits for FL Attorneys)

A review of electrical contact injuries as they relate to electric utilities. Covers important definitions and trade terms regarding electrical contact injuries. Addresses the legal codes and regulations which apply to the use and exposure of humans to electrical energy with emphasis on the construction workplace. Explains the process by which electric current causes injury and or death to the human body and how to identify potentially damaging electrical sources that could cause electrical contact injuries.

Effective Use of Biomechanical Consultants (3 Hour Optional CE Credits for FL Adjusters; 3 Hour General CE Credits for GA Adjusters)

Introduces the specialty of biomechanics, related terminology and provides examples of topics addressed in the biomechanical investigation and testimony. The examples include whiplash, intervertebral discs, carpal tunnel, rotator cuff and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) complaints. Discussion and examples of subjective verses objective information and the significance of distinguishing between the two. A cursory look at pre-existing conditions and injuries attributable to the event being considered. Insight as to why a biomechanical analysis may not be otherwise obvious and in fact, may lead to an injury causation theory that is contrary to what at first seemed obvious, “reasonable” or even irrefutable. This course has been developed for those working in the areas involving personal liability claims and allegations (e.g. product liability, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation).

Effective Use of Surrogates in Injury and Fatality Claims (1 Hour Optional CE Credit for FL Adjusters; 1 Hour General CLE Credit for FL Attorneys)

In personal injury and fatality cases, particularly those involving biomechanics, it can occasionally be difficult to evaluate causation scenarios without the use of a “human tape measure”, more commonly known as a surrogate. In these cases, for the incident to happen in the manner alleged, certain bodily positions, configurations and movements would be “necessary”. A human surrogate provides tangible, real-world dimensional and range-of-motion references that can assist the causation analysis and disposition of the claim. Three case studies will illustrate the benefits of using surrogates: a vehicle crash injury, an alleged ramp slip-and-fall, and a tractor/mower fatality.

Industrial Hygiene - More Than Just Air Monitoring (2 Hours Optional CE Credits for FL Adjusters; 2.5 Hours General CLE Credits for FL Attorneys)

The industrial hygienist’s role in liability and workers’ compensation claim investigations is more than just taking air samples. The intent of this course is to help the adjuster and the insured understand what the capabilities of the industrial hygienists are and how to best utilize their investigative services when they are needed.

Product Failures and Subrogation (1 Hour Law CE Credit for FL Adjusters; 1 Hour General CE Credit for NC Adjusters)

Insurance claims adjusting in the General and Products Liability arena requires a thorough working knowledge of products liability and the legal elements required to maintain such a cause of action, the reasons and causes of loss or damage, and, the potential loss exposures presented therein. This course covers the various causes of product failure, the elements of liability that must be proven for defects in design, manufacture or warranty to support a strict [or absolute] liability cause of action, and how to investigate and advance a subrogation claim based upon these theories.

Subrogating Wind Damage (1 Hour Optional CE Credit for FL Adjusters; 1 Hour General CE Credit for GA Adjusters)

Provides the claim adjuster with knowledge that will allow them to identify potential subrogation resulting from wind damage to a building. They will also better understand how winds damage a building and how to determine when a building has sustained more damage than it should have based on the winds it was subjected to. The course includes how winds damage, the extent of damage that should be expected for different levels of wind speed and building code requirements for resistance to wind. This part of the presentation culminates in explaining a chart which can be used as a guide once the actual wind speed and code required design wind speed are known.

HOME