Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction - Chemicals, Gases, Materials Accidents
Work involving chemical exposure, with or without chemical explosion, generally covers:
Reconstruction of accidents involving chemicals, gases and hazardous materials determines whether such chemicals, gases and materials caused or contributed to an accident. Reconstruction of accidents involving failure of materials of construction determines whether the materials failed due to unsuitability in use under intended conditions or their use was outside of intended conditions of use, according to instructions, specifications, codes or standards. Work in this area also generally includes determining whether revision of packaging, containment, method of use and/or warnings and the instructions for use was required for safety. 
  • determining whether containment systems or packaging for chemicals and gases were: 
  • defective in design, manufacture or installation 
  • lacked adequate warnings
  • determining whether the manner that chemicals or gases were used was hazardous
  MAAFE
  • determining whether the hazardous use of the chemicals was due to: 
  • the instructions for use
  • deviation from the instructions for use
  • as a result of a lack of instructions for safe use 
  • household cleaning chemicals in plastic bottles
  • industrial and commercial cleaning chemicals in barrels
  • industrial and commercial cleaning chemicals used in cleaning equipment at the time of accident
  • uncured concrete (cement, aggregate and water) delivered pre-mixed by truck
  • dry cement, and dry concrete (cement and aggregate) in packaging for mixing with water
 MAAFE
  • fasteners and associated fastened materials (at each end of the fastener) used in various ways with various equipment and components, including industrial, commercial, and residential equipment and components
  • determining the chemicals involved in the explosion, when there is an explosion 
  •  MAAFE
  • determining if other chemicals were inadvertently involved
This makes chemicals with incomplete Warnings or Warnings which are erroneous to one degree or another, a particular hazard, particularly with chemicals sold outside industrial commerce. Chemicals sold outside industrial commerce can be very dangerous. These chemicals are sold to the general public for personal use and for use in their homes and gardens, to professionals who use them in their work activities, such as in cleaning, maintenance and construction, to farmers and to others for various uses. Chemicals sold to the general public, farmers, professionals and others outside industrial commerce include cleaning products, maintenance products (for example, pool chemicals), pesticides, herbicides, building materials, personal care products, etc. Many of these chemicals are dangerous, either when in contact with body parts and/or from violent interactions with other chemicals sold outside industrial commerce, as well as chemicals sold within industrial commerce. Warnings are extremely important for the safe use of chemicals and materials that contain chemicals.
Only very rarely is a chemical pure when sold in commerce. Essentially all chemical products are mixtures of chemicals, both chemicals desired to be in the mixture and chemicals which are too difficult or expensive to remove from the mixture. This is true of chemicals sold to the public and chemicals sold to professionals and industry. A particular concern with chemicals is that the exact hazard is usually cloaked in mystery until the exact composition of the chemical is known. From a practical standpoint this information can only come from the supplier of the chemical in the form of a Warning. 
Often the most important protection available is personal protective equipment. This is a form of safeguard. However, Warnings are required to inform the user as to when such protection is required and what specific protection is required. Warnings also must perform well in the areas of informing the user of the consequences of contact and chemical interactions, on how to avoid contact and chemical interactions, and what to do if they come into contact with chemicals.
For more information on Safeguards and Warnings click on Safeguards Page and Warnings Page.
during 17 years working in industrial operations and design engineering designed for the safe use and production of chemicals, gases and materials, and worked in industrial operations involving chemicals, gases and materials
  Warnings for Chemicals and Similar Hazardous Materials
  Examples of Chemicals and Materials Analyzed, and Packaging, Containments and Materials of
      Construction Analyzed                            ● see discussion of Warnings for chemicals in next section below
  Our Engineering Analysis of Accidents involving Chemicals, Gases and Materials
Our Engineering Analysis of accidents involving Chemicals, Gases and Materials includes investigation, engineering analysis and reconstruction of the accident, as appropriate and required to address the issues
Work involving materials failure, particularly securement failure, such as fasteners failing to secure items, generally covers:
  • determining whether materials which failed, whether failing mechanically or failing to secure attachment,
            were: 
  • defective in design, manufacture or installation
  • were the proper materials for the use
  • lacked adequate warnings for their proper use to avoid creating a hazardous condition
  • determining whether the manner in which the materials were used created a hazardous condition
  MAAFE
  • determining whether the failure of the materials which failed was due to: 
  • the instructions for use
  • deviation from the instructions for use
  • as a result of a lack of instructions for safe use 
  Experience and Qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E. in regard to Chemicals, 
     Gases and Materials, including Chemical Explosions and Material Failures 
  click on underlined words to use links - if no word is underlined try hovering the mouse over words to see underlines
  
See more about our work with accidents involving chemicals, gases and materials in the section below.
  attended engineering seminars presented by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
regularly attend additional technical courses and seminars each year to meet the requirements for continuing engineering education for the Professional Engineer's license
  over 45 years of engineering experience, with: 
  17 years experience in industrial operations, engineering design and construction assistance 
  over 30 years experience in forensic engineering, including:  
  working on over 1100 cases
  issuing over 700 reports and over 70 affidavits
  testifying in over 100 depositions and over 90 trials
took 4 college courses in physics and 8 college courses in chemistry, including Physical Chemistry, which covers the physics and physical aspects of chemicals and chemical reactions, including chemical explosions
during 17 years working in industrial operations and design engineering routinely specified materials of construction for equipment, components and facilities
over 20 incidents involving chemicals, gases and materials, have been investigated, analyzed and reconstructed as part of the forensic engineering work during over the last 30 years, including chemical explosions, concrete burns, and material failures
  
  
  
earned 2 Engineering degrees, Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering, and took additional post-degree coursework, with coursework in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and normal psychology
at the start of forensic work, completed refresher and additional post-degree college credit coursework and continuing education coursework in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and materials
earned the Professional Engineers license (P.E.) by taking the National Council of Engineering Examiners' (NCEE) examination in Fundamentals of Engineering and the Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering sections of the NCEE examination in Principles and Practices of Engineering
designated a Diplomate Forensic Engineer by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers in accordance with the standards of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB)
  
  
  
  
  
<< click for a description of the typical activities and work performed
<< click for examples of Chemicals and Materials analyzed
<< click for discussion of Warnings for Chemicals and Hazardous Materials
See the section below for discussion of Warnings for Chemicals and similar Hazardous Materials
See the section above for examples of Chemicals and Hazardous Materials analyzed
The use of Warnings with chemicals is regulated by legislation and codes and standards with requirements for providing significant safety information in prescribed forms. These requirements take into consideration the very restricted role that Safeguards can take in use of chemicals, thus putting the safety burden on Warnings, particularly for the public and professionals outside industrial commerce. This important safety role for Warnings is also true for similar hazardous materials which are hazardous at least partially because they contain chemicals. Other hazardous material which are primarily chemicals or in which chemicals are an important factor include such materials as concrete, (dry) cement and some wall board formulations. 
Our work includes engineering analysis of the containment or delivery method of the associated chemicals, gases and hazardous materials. Our work includes engineering analysis of materials of construction, and reconstruction of containment failure and material failure, including securement failure, when such has occurred. Our work includes assessment of the activities of persons involved in the accident, chemical delivery, and/or materials failure, particularly in regard to the handling of hazardous material and/or the failure of materials. Our work includes assessment of the use of safeguards and warnings, and their effectiveness, and assessment of the adherence to instructions for use and adherence to applicable codes, standards and recommended practices on the part of the user, manufacturer, supplier, etc.
Our Work with Chemicals, Gases, Materials, and Related Subjects and Issues -  is largely about the properties of chemicals, gases and materials and the consequences of these properties. Our work includes determination of the cause(s) of accidents associated with these materials, including issues with labeling, delivery and containment of chemicals and gases, and correct use of materials of construction (MOC), including with securement, such as fasteners. These accidents may include contact with chemicals, gases and other hazardous materials, such as uncured concrete, which results in injury, usually chemical burns or injury from inhalation. These accidents may include chemical explosions, often with household chemicals, resulting in injury or property damage. These accidents may involve failure of materials of construction, including containment materials and securement materials, such as fasteners. Insofar as failure of materials of construction is a factor in equipment or component failure, this work would overlap with our work with equipment and components as described elsewhere in this website.
 Chemical Exposure     ● Chemical Explosions    ● Materials Failure
 Household, Industrial and Commercial Chemicals and Materials
 Concrete   ● Fasteners   ● proper use of Materials of Construction
 Labeling, Delivery, Containment and Use of Chemicals and Gases
Table of Contents - Chemicals, Gases & Materials Page - also including Delivery, Packaging, Containment and related subjects - links to content on this page
Chemicals, Gases and Materials
Consultation is available before starting a case. We invite you to
consult with us. There is no charge for an initial phone consultation.
Call us, or if you prefer we can schedule the consultation in advance.
Consultation with James D. Madden, PE, a Professional Engineer, and Forensic
Engineering Consulting and Testifying Expert Witness, is available to the client at all
times during the work - before, during, and after the investigation,
engineering analysis, reconstruction, report, and any other work on the case.
Phone: (440) 838-0640
Download a Summary or Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume' for James D. Madden, P.E.,
email us, and bookmark this website. 
  Qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer
  Downloads and Links -  Curriculum Vitae, Email and Bookmark
Summary Curriculum Vitae / Resume'
Detailed Curriculum Vitae / Resume'
For mailing addressphonefax and email address click a button below the Fee Schedule section.
Contact us by phone, fax, mail or email for a copy of the Fee Schedule for charges for engineering
and consulting services and testimony.  Click a button below for contact information.
  Contact information
  Fee Schedule
Phone: (440) 838-0640
Over the last 30 years we have regularly worked on accidents which occurred in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and nearby, including inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, with reports and testimony. During these 30 years we have also worked on accidents which occurred in other states, and equipment and facilities located in other states, with inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, from Utah and Kansas to Vermont and North Carolina, with reports and testimony for these accidents, when applicable.
  Geographic Area of Practice - North America 
Contact us to discuss your case by phone at NO CHARGE
This consultation can be scheduled in advance to meet your schedule.
  verbal reports, by telephone or in face-to-face conferences
We present the results of our investigations, engineering analyses and reconstructions in 
the client's choice of any, or all, of the following: 
  Presentation of results of our work
Our work investigating, analyzing and reconstructing accidents, and presenting the results, may include any 
or all of the following, depending on the needs of the case: 
  Our Typical Work Activities and Products, when warranted by the case
  written reports and affidavits
  deposition testimony, including video deposition
  trial testimony and arbitration testimony
James D. Madden, P.E., while performing Forensic Engineering work full-time for over 
the last 30 years, for both plaintiff and defendant, has to date:
  Forensic Engineering Work by Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E. 
  completed over 1100 cases
  written and issued over 700 reports                  
  testified in over 100 depositions
  written and issued over 70 affidavits
  testified in over 90 trials                               
, including
Examples of Chemicals, Gases, Materials, Materials of Construction, Packaging and Containments that have been Analyzed
  Presentation of The Results of Our Work
  Other Experience & Qualifications
  Curriculum Vitae, CV, Resume'
  Contact Us by Phone, Mail or Email 
  Consult, before and after assignment
  Fee Schedule Availability
See details of the pre-forensic work on the Employment Page and the Engineering Design Page.
See details of the forensic work throughout this website, and a summary on the Employment Page.
See more about qualifications of  James D. Madden, P.E. on the Qualifications Page.
For more on qualifications see the Qualifications Page<<< Click on the underlined text
The qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer, Consulting and Testifying
Forensic Engineer and Accident Reconstruction Engineer, are listed on the Qualifications Page and the Specialties Work Page.   <<< Click on the underlined text.
      click on the underlined squares to link to the subjects
  Our Forensic Engineering Work - number of  ● Cases  ● Reports  ● Affidavits  ● Testimonies  
  Warnings for Chemicals, Gases and Similar potentially Hazardous Materials  
^^ click on buttons to go to these pages ^^
Our Work With Chemicals, Gases, Materials, Materials of Construction, Packaging, Containment and Related Subjects & Issues 
Use the Search Box at the left to search the whole website.  
Use Control F, 'Ctrl' + 'F', to locate specific words on this page.
Bookmark this site by typing Control D ('Ctr' + 'D'). 
Detailed Curriculum Vitae / Resume'
Summary Curriculum Vitae / Resume'
Phone: (440) 838-0640
Phone: (440) 838-1191
  Engineering Analysis of Chemical & Material Accidents 
  Qualifications in regard to Chemicals and Materials 
  Our Typical Work Activities and Products
​■  Geographic Area available for Work
  Links to Other Pages (left sidebars)
  inspection of the accident site, such as a roadway, outdoor facilities, building or industrial facilities
inspection of the involved equipment, in current condition, including in damaged condition (such as crashed vehicles); and when available for operation, during operation (such as industrial equipment)
  interviewing witnesses (often during the inspection of the accident site, product and/or equipment)
coordinating or interfacing with others while they are preparing specialized exhibits such as video animations and videos of demonstrations
review and study of case documents, evidence and applicable codes, standards, regulations and recommended practices
  written reports and affidavits, and exhibits
drawings, calculations, graphical analyses, computer analyses, etc. as required to analyze and reconstruct the accident, and to present the engineering analysis and reconstruction
  testing accident items and exemplar items (such as consumer products)
  photography and/or video of the accident site and involved equipment
  testimony in deposition, trial and arbitration
  
  
  
  
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over 30 Years Investigating, Analyzing, Reconstructing & Testifying about Accidents
Contact us at  440-838-0640 or ▪ 440-832-9540 or  [email protected]
Forensic Engineering & Scientific Accident Reconstruction
Links to Specialty Pages
Page Links 
Links to General Pages





Basic Forensic Specialties
Main Forensic Specialties
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Link to Chemicals, Gases and Materials Website 
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Senior Forensic Engineer
General Information
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction
MAAIR
Madden
Accident
Analysis,  
Investigation,
Reconstruction
MAAIR
Copyright 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 by Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, and by James D. Madden, P.E. All rights reserved.
This website contains photographs which are licensed with restrictions that prohibit downloading, reproduction, re-publication or re-transmission.
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions routinely for accidents / incidents and cases located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York, in the technical areas which are noted in this website, as well as providing expert reports and testifying in court proceedings in these states in the capacity of an Expert Witness, including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials. Forensic Engineering work has also performed in, and/or for cases in, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, Kansas and Utah, with testimony in deposition and court in West Virginia and Kansas.
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions for accidents / incidents and cases in the metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown, Mansfield, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Lima, Findlay, Marietta and Steubenville, Ohio, as well elsewhere throughout Ohio, and the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as elsewhere throughout western and central Pennsylvania, and the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron, Michigan, as well as elsewhere in southern Michigan, and the metropolitan areas of Buffalo and Syracuse, New York, as well as elsewhere in western and central New York state. In many of these areas James D. Madden, P.E. has provided expert reports and testified in the capacity of an Expert Witness in court proceedings, including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials.  
Latest updates to the overall document and activity counts (reports, affidavits, cases, trials, and depositions), and counts of the number of individual specialty cases reported in this website were completed 7/15/2020. The updates of the overall document and activity counts and the counts of the number of individual specialty cases for the period between 12/2007 and 7/15/2020 were based only on the documents produced, and thus are under-counts (i.e. cases without a report or affidavit were not included in the counts).
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction
1700 West Market Street, Suite 318, Akron, Ohio 44313
or contact us for our Cleveland Ohio address
phone: 440-838-0640 or 440-832-9540, fax: 440-838-1192
email address: [email protected]

Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E., is available for Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses, Accident Reconstructions, and testimony in depositions, hearings, arbitrations, and trials, for cases located throughout North America.