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Biomechanics applies the principles of physics and engineering to the human body, making it a powerful tool for evaluating injury risk, injury causation, and product liability. Most frequently, it is applied to motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) to answer questions such as whether the forces of an impact were consistent with a claimed injury, or whether the design or failure of a vehicle component contributed to an injury. These same physics-based principles apply to any type of injury case where an individual interacts with the world around them. Injury claims may arise from the human interface with exercise equipment, heavy machinery, power tools, falling objects, adventure sports, falls from height, and more. In this presentation, we will move beyond the MVC framework and examine how biomechanical analyses can be applied to injury cases where its value may frequently be overlooked. Through real-world case examples, attendees will learn to recognize when the mechanism of injury is in question, what a biomechanical engineer can bring to the table, and how these findings can support or challenge claims of causation. We will also discuss the tools and techniques used in these analyses, including the critical role attorneys play in preserving physical evidence and coordinating site and product inspections early in a case. Attendees will leave with a broader understanding of when a biomechanical expert can add value to a case, regardless of how the injury occurred.

Shaun Jeffs is a consultant with forensic engineering expertise in biomechanics, occupant kinematics, human injury tolerance, spinal biomechanics, automotive accident reconstruction, and general mechanical engineering fields. He holds a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University. His graduate research focused on the natural load-bearing capacity of the human lumbar spine.