WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

But What Does the Contract Say?

Critical language in contracts for retail establishments should cover various aspects to protect the interest of both parties involved. In this interactive session we will share best practices and highlight key concepts to ensure the contracts meet the specific needs and requirements of the retail establishment.

Facilitator:

• Nicholas P. Resetar, Roetzel & Andress (Cleveland, OH)
• Margot N. Wilensky, Connell Foley, LLP (New York, NY)

Retail Verdicts We Can Learn From

USLAW NETWORK retail and hospitality industry clients and attorneys share recent verdicts and settlements that we can learn from.

Facilitators:

• Maryalyce Cox, MehaffyWeber (Houston, TX)
• Nick Polavin, IMS Legal Strategies
• Bryan N. Price, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso, PLLC (Charleston, WV)

How To Combat the Medical Mafia

The recent increase in unnecessary surgeries and medical procedures involving plaintiffs injured in or surrounding a retail establishment has forced litigators to change how to address claims and prepare for trial. This session will discuss the challenges caused by underscoring the importance of thorough medical evaluation and ethical decision-making by healthcare providers to ensure that surgeries are only performed when truly necessary to improve patient outcomes.

Facilitators:

• Jacqueline Bushwack, Rivkin Radler (Uniondale, NY)
• Jennifer Cuculich, IMS Legal Strategies (Columbus, OH)
• Meghan M. Goodwin, Thorndal Armstrong (Las Vegas, NV)

THURSDAY, September 12, 2024

DAY TWO AT S-E-A, LIMITED

Industry Investigations: An Intro to Human Factors, Biomechanics and Civil Engineering

This session will be an introduction to the three main silos of the day: civil engineering; human factors; and biomechanics. The S-E-A team will walk attendees through items of consideration such as warnings and labels, the uses and tools of surface evaluations, relevant codes and standards, and what role biomechanics can play in premises cases, complete with real case study examples.

Facilitators:

• Paul Dorothy, Senior Civil Engineer, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• An D. Nguyen, Human Factors Consultant, S-E-A, Ltd. (Baltimore, MD)
• Eddy Silverman, Williams Kastner (Seattle, WA)
• Justin Waxman, Biomechanics Consultant, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)

Attendees will rotate through the following four sessions experiencing demonstrations, pertinent industry intel on how experts analyze these cases, and walk-throughs of the tools and technology they use, highlighting real case study examples.

Walk the Line: Codes, Surface Analysis, and Civil Engineering Investigations

S-E-A’s Walkway Surface Safety Committee will share the latest in codes and standards, including an introduction to various surface testing tools and how they can make or break a case. Learn about proper application and use of surface testing equipment, including live deomonstration(s) of these relevant tools.

Facilitators:

• Paul Dorothy, Sr. Civil Engineer, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• Alison H. Sausaman, Carr Allison (Jacksonville, FL)

Unlocking Case Potential Through Imaging Sciences Technology

The use of animations in the courtroom are becoming more and more relevant in being able to explain your case visually, but you need a solid basis for using them. S-E-A’s Imaging Sciences Group (ISG) will highlight the importance of scene preservation and share some of the many deliverables that can be provided with high quality 3D scanning work. Highlights include camera matching, 3D printing, and animations.

Facilitators:

• Ryan C. Holt, Sweeny, Wingate & Barrow, P.A. (Columbia, SC)
• John E. Swanson, Practice Lead, Imaging Sciences, S-E-A, Ltd. (Baltimore, MD)

Human Factors Unleashed: Engage, Explore, Evolve

S-E-A’s experts will introduce you to what “human factors” really means and some of the many ways you can utilize such investigations in your cases. Interactive demonstrations of how lighting affects a person’s abilities and expectations within their environment (your venue) and a Virtual Reality demonstration of how many human factors issues can be present in common environments will be presented.

Facilitators:

• Phillip Carlson, Medical Illustrator, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• Frank Gattuso, Sweeney & Sheehan PC (Philadelphia, PA)
• Ghani Khalil, Imaging Sciences Specialist, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• An D. Nguyen, Human Factors Consultant, S-E-A, Ltd. (Baltimore, MD)
• John Wiechel, Sr. Mechanical Engineer/Biomechanics, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)

Tools of the Trade: Investigation Tactics and Technology in Biomechanics Investigations

During this session, S-E-A’s biomechanical experts will show how the injuries are evidence and not just an outcome. Only by having insight to the injuries and their mechanisms, can you fully understand your case. Learn how testing with a crash test dummy can provide useful information and scientific data and get first-hand experience with 3D motion capture technology.

Facilitators:

• Elaine K. Castro, Senior Mechanical Engineer/Biomechanics, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• Dawn R. Freyder, Sr. Mechanical Engineer/Biomechanics, S-E-A, Ltd. (Tampa, FL)
• Julia A. Lines, Larson King, LLP (St. Paul, MN)
• Douglas R. Morr, Manager, Columbus Vehicle Accident Reconstruction & Biomechanics Discipline Lead, Mechanical Engineering/Biomechanics, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• Caleb Russell, Biomechanics Lab Consultant, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• Justin Waxman, Biomechanics Consultant, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)

Revolutionizing Retail & Hospitality: Navigating Industry Trends and Transformative Strategies

After a morning of discussions and demonstrations, the group will reconvene and wrap up with a panel discussion including S-E-A experts, USLAW attorneys and clients to answer some of the hot topic items being discussed in the industry right now.

Facilitators:

• Michael Chmielewski, ACE Hardware
• Douglas R. Morr, Manager, Columbus Vehicle Accident Reconstruction & Biomechanics Discipline Lead, Mechanical Engineering/Biomechanics, S-E-A, Ltd. (Columbus, OH)
• Thomas S. Thornton, III, Carr Allison (Birmingham, AL)