Analyzing and Comparing Case-Specific Activities of Daily Living to the Occupant Exposure in Minor and Moderate Accidents

In the past, biomechanical experts were limited to utilizing whatever ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) had been previously published when making the comparison between the exposure while undergoing a certain activity to the occupant exposure in a minor or moderate motor vehicle accident. But now with newer technologies (mainly motion capture), experts like those at S-E-A have the ability to analyze a person’s kinematic and kinetic exposure during nearly any activity specifically claimed to have been performed frequently, making the comparison to the motor vehicle accident or other incident that much more case and individually specific. This presentation focuses on utilizing new technology to analyze bodily injury claims and enhance our presentation to the jury at trial.

Dawn R. Freyder P.E.
Sr. Mechanical Engineer/Biomechanics, S-E-A
Tampa, Florida

A licensed professional engineer in multiple states, Dawn Freyder of S-E-A collaborates with colleagues on investigative research projects in the areas of vehicle accident reconstruction, biomechanics, human kinematics, injury thresholds, MADYMO, and motion capture, culminating in multiple published papers. Dawn performs biomechanical analyses of injury mechanisms, injury causation, injury reconstruction, and their relationships to potential accident and/or impact sources. She has also applied her education and experience to investigate, analyze, and reconstruct vehicular accidents. She is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

Holly Howanitz
Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy & Ford P.A.
Jacksonville, Florida

Holly Howanitz is a partner at Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy & Ford P.A. where she focuses her practice on defending claims in matters of general negligence, personal injury, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, insurance agent malpractice, products liability, automobile negligence, transportation, and construction-defect litigation. Holly’s extensive experience and passion for the law have earned her an AV® Preeminent rating from her peers, the highest-level rating awarded to lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell.

Lauren McBride
Director of Liability Claims, Publix
Lakeland, Florida

Lauren McBride is the director of liability claims for Publix Super Markets, Inc.  Based in Lakeland, Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the country and operates over 1,200 grocery stores throughout the Southeastern United States. A litigator over the course of her career prior to joining Publix, Lauren is responsible for the management of general liability, pharmacy, products, and commercial fleet claims for Publix in all states of operation which currently include Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In addition to claims and litigation management, Lauren serves as a resource and advisor to numerous other departments within Publix regarding risk management issues.