Forensic Engineering Investigation Of An Alleged Plastic Chair Failure

Abstract

Several Identical One-Piece Molded Plastic Chairs Were Purchased By A Mental Hospital For Use In An Outdoor Smoking Area. The Chairs Were Labeled As Being For Residential Use. A Hospital Patient Alleged That While Seated In One Of These Chairs, The Chair Failed And He Fell Backward, Striking His Head And Suffering Injury. The Subject Chair Did Not Show Evidence Of A Failure That Would Correlate To The Plaintiff Allegation. Analysis And Destructive Testing Was Conducted On Several Of The Remaining Chairs, Referencing The Astm Standard Test Method For Residential And Nonresidential Molded Plastic Chairs. Adverse Expert Opinions Were Also Addressed.