Biomechanics
In biomechanical-related legal cases, both plaintiff and defense attorneys want to know that their forensic expert can accurately evaluate how forces from an incident relate to the injuries claimed. At our firm, we specialize in accident biomechanics and injury causation analysis across a broad spectrum of cases, including low-impact vehicle collisions, premises safety incidents, recreational and sport injuries, and unusual accidents. Attorneys rely on us to answer the critical question: "Do the physical forces involved support the claimed injuries?"
Our work often begins with a detailed examination of the event itself—be it a slip and fall, a low-speed crash, or an impact during a sporting activity. We analyze motion, body position, surface conditions, use of protective equipment, and other physical factors. We then compare the biomechanical forces involved with well-established injury thresholds and medical literature to determine whether the claimed injuries are consistent with the event. Whether the case involves a torn ligament from a gym fall or a whiplash claim from a parking lot collision, we provide objective, scientifically grounded answers.
For plaintiff attorneys, we help demonstrate how an incident produced specific injuries by connecting the mechanics of the event to the medical outcomes. This may involve showing how improper use of safety equipment or poor premises design contributed to preventable harm. For defense attorneys, we often evaluate whether the injuries are consistent with the severity and nature of the event—or whether other factors, such as pre-existing conditions, played a larger role. Our analysis is neutral, detailed, and able to withstand cross-examination.
Attorneys also want assurance that their biomechanical expert can explain complex concepts in a clear, courtroom-ready format. That is a priority for us. We prepare comprehensive expert reports with visual illustrations, timelines, and comparative data, and we offer expert testimony that clearly outlines our findings without excessive jargon. Our goal is to make sure that judges, juries, and mediators understand both the science and the significance behind our conclusions.
Ultimately, attorneys need a forensic partner who understands both the human body and the physics of injury. That is exactly what we provide. With decades of experience in biomechanics, injury causation, and litigation support, we deliver trusted, evidence-based insights that help attorneys on both sides of the aisle build strong, credible cases. Whether the incident involves a sports injury, a construction mishap, or a low-speed auto collision, we are here to help uncover the truth with clarity, accuracy, and professionalism.
Forensic biomechanics is the study of how the human body responds to forces and motions, particularly in the context of accidents, injuries, or criminal events. Experts use principles from engineering, physics, mechanics of materials, and physiology to understand how injuries may have occurred and the dynamics of accidents.
Forensic biomechanists analyze the type and magnitude of forces involved in an incident, such as a car crash or slip and fall, and how these forces interact with the body. They consider factors like the position of the body, the movement at the time of impact, and the physical properties of the surfaces involved to determine whether the injuries are consistent with the accident.
Forensic biomechanists typically work on cases involving automobile accidents, falls, workplace accidents, product defects, sports injuries, and other incidents where human movement and forces are central to understanding how injuries occurred. They also analyze the testimony of the plaintiff to investigate if the description of the accident is consistent with the injuries and the dynamics of same incident. They can assist in criminal cases involving trauma, like shootings or blunt force trauma.
Forensic biomechanists use a range of tools and methods, including:
- Kinematic analysis (studying movement patterns)
- Force analysis (calculating forces and loads on the body)
- Human body models (computer simulations)
- Crash reconstruction (for vehicle-related accidents)
The biomechanist evaluates the accident's circumstances (such as speed, impact angles, and body positioning) and compares them to the types of injuries sustained. They examine the medical records to understand the type of injury and the physiology of the injured party to analyze the relationship between the injuries and the dynamics of the accident. They can use biomechanical models to simulate the incident and predict the likely injury patterns based on the forces involved.
Yes, forensic biomechanists can estimate the severity of injuries by assessing the amount of force applied and the way it was distributed across the body. They use their knowledge of injury thresholds (e.g., the force needed to break a bone or cause a concussion) to evaluate whether the injuries align with the forces and dynamics involved and whether the medical records show a pattern of injury that is consistent with the incident in question.
Unlike other injury analyses that might focus primarily on medical or anatomical aspects, forensic biomechanics focuses on the physical forces and movement dynamics leading to the injury. It incorporates engineering principles, physics, and human body mechanics to understand not only the injury itself, but also how and why it occurred.
Yes, biomechanics is often used in product liability cases where the failure of a product (such as a car seat, helmet, or safety equipment) leads to injury. Forensic biomechanists assess how the product interacted with the body during an incident and determine whether the product failed to prevent injury or function as expected.
Biomechanics experts communicate their findings by providing clear, scientifically-based testimony, often supported by visual aids like animations, simulations, or charts. They explain complex biomechanical concepts in ways that the jury or judge can easily understand, often demonstrating how forces acted on the body in a particular incident.
Ph.D. — Vice President, Biomechanical & Biomedical Engineer
Andrés J. Calderón, Ph.D., has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering. He has worked in the fields of biomechanical and biomedical engineering for over 16 years.
