The Role of Forensic Electrical Engineers in Product Liability Cases

 

Product liability litigation involving electrical systems often requires a level of technical analysis that goes beyond traditional engineering review. When electrical products, appliances, or components are implicated in injury, property damage, or financial loss, determining fault can become complex and contentious. This is where forensic electrical engineers play a crucial role.

 

At Garrett Forensics, our team of certified forensic electrical engineers provides expert insight, objective analysis, and courtroom-ready findings to support legal professionals, insurers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies in the resolution of product liability claims.

 

What is a Forensic Electrical Engineer?
A forensic electrical engineer applies scientific and engineering principles to investigate electrical incidents that result in damage, injury, or system failure. Their primary goal is to determine how and why an electrical system failed and whether that failure was due to defective design, improper manufacturing, inadequate installation, incorrect usage, or lack of maintenance.

 

This discipline combines traditional electrical engineering knowledge with investigative methodologies similar to those used in fire science, accident reconstruction, and root cause failure analysis. Forensic electrical engineers are trained to evaluate not only the physical evidence of a failure but also the surrounding context—such as operating conditions, maintenance history, environmental exposure, and compliance with standards.

 

The Role in Product Liability Litigation
In the context of product liability, forensic electrical engineers support legal teams by clarifying technical facts, identifying responsible parties, and assessing the viability of product design and safety features. Their investigations often help determine whether a manufacturer, supplier, installer, or end user bears liability.

 

Key responsibilities may include:

Product Teardown and Inspection:
Detailed disassembly and analysis of the failed product to identify design or manufacturing issues.

Schematic and Circuit Analysis:
Reviewing internal wiring, PCB layout, and control systems to detect vulnerabilities or improper design choices.

Testing and Simulation:
Reproducing failure modes in a controlled lab setting to validate hypotheses and quantify risk.

Compliance Review:
Evaluating products against applicable safety standards, such as those from UL, IEEE, IEC, or NFPA.

Root Cause Determination:
Identifying whether the failure was the result of a single defect or a combination of contributing factors.

Report Preparation and Testimony:
Producing technical reports that are clear, comprehensive, and admissible in court, and providing expert witness testimony when needed.

 

Common Areas of Investigation
Forensic electrical engineers are frequently involved in analyzing failures in a wide range of electrical products and systems, including but not limited to:

Consumer electronics and appliances

Electrical panels and distribution systems

Power tools and industrial machinery

Battery systems and energy storage devices

Smart devices and IoT-enabled equipment

Wiring harnesses, connectors, and circuit boards

Medical devices and laboratory instruments

Their findings are often used to support product recalls, insurance claims, regulatory investigations, subrogation efforts, and civil litigation.

 

Engineering Standards and Methodologies
To ensure investigations are both reliable and legally defensible, forensic electrical engineers rely on recognized engineering principles and investigative protocols. These include:

NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations

NEC (National Electrical Code): Standards for safe electrical installation and use

UL and IEC Testing Protocols: Benchmark requirements for product safety and certification

Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA): A structured method for determining the origin of a failure

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA): A proactive technique to evaluate potential failure points in a product or process

These standards not only guide technical evaluations but also serve as the foundation for expert testimony in legal proceedings.

 

Garrett Forensics: Trusted Experts in Electrical Failure Investigation
At Garrett Forensics, our forensic electrical engineers are highly trained, experienced, and equipped with advanced diagnostic tools to perform thorough and unbiased investigations. We understand the legal implications of engineering analysis, and we ensure that every report, conclusion, and opinion meets the rigorous standards required by courts and regulatory agencies.

 

Our team routinely collaborates with attorneys, insurance adjusters, fire investigators, and corporate clients to ensure that all parties have a clear understanding of the technical issues at hand. Whether supporting plaintiff or defense teams, we maintain objectivity and scientific integrity throughout the process.

 

Our services include:

On-site inspections and evidence preservation

Analysis and testing

Standards compliance evaluation

Expert witness deposition and trial testimony

Technical consulting during litigation strategy development

 

Conclusion
The work of forensic electrical engineers is essential in the complex field of product liability. Their ability to investigate failures, identify root causes, and provide scientifically sound explanations helps ensure that legal outcomes are based on evidence rather than speculation. As electrical products and systems grow more complex, the need for specialized forensic expertise becomes even more critical.

At Garrett Forensics, we bring clarity, credibility, and confidence to every case we handle. Our mission is to help clients uncover the truth through science—one circuit, one component, and one failure at a time.

Have a product liability case involving electrical systems or components?
Contact Garrett Forensics today to consult with a certified forensic electrical engineer.