From Initial Call Until the Case is Closed: Working With a Hot Beverage Spill Burn Expert Witness

When hot coffee and tea spills happen and injuries result, lawyers hire us as technical consultants who can provide expert witness testimony in litigation related to hot beverage spill burns. Lawyers are concerned with establishing our expertise and determining whether the objective facts of the case, that we would speak to, support their client’s claim or defense.

Here’s a quick rundown of how things go when you pick up the phone and give us a call.

Hiring a hot beverage spill burn consultant and expert witness

1. No-cost, no-obligation consultation

. When we receive your call or email with an inquiry about a case, we first take the time to chat with you about the circumstances of the case. We also give a little more information about our background and how—or whether—we can help. Only after determining whether our expertise fits the needs of your case do we move forward.

2. Signed contract and payment.

Next we send a full biography, resume, and letter of agreement along with our rate schedule and any additional applicable tax forms to establish a consulting arrangement. Our services will begin when you return a signed letter of agreement.

3. We gather case details.

After the business relationship has been formalized, we get to work. We begin with a detailed review of all pertinent case information, including the formal complaint, deposition transcripts, videos, photos, incident reports, log files, and details of the brewing equipment used. We compile a complete case background in order to thoroughly evaluate the complaint against brewing science and best practices.
We follow up regularly and stay in close contact as we review each case to clarify details or request additional information that we need to formulate a written report or testimony.

4. Field visits and testing.

In some cases, we may test brewing equipment, cups, lids, containers in the field or request samples for in-house testing in the lab of our sister company, Coffee Enterprises, to verify claims or data.

5. Deposition.

In many cases, Dan is deposed by the plaintiff or defense counsel. These can occur at our offices or off site.

6. Preliminary report.

Following case review, we prepare a formal, detailed report containing our findings and expert opinions. We provide a notarized hard copy and electronic copies.The inclusion of a report written by an expert in hot beverage spill burns often contributes to satisfactory settlement of a case, when the other party realizes that the objective facts do not support their claim.

7. Trial testimony.

If settlement is not reached and trial is scheduled, we help prepare counsel for examination and cross-examination by discussing specific questions that should be raised in court during testimony. At trial, Dan testifies as an expert witness to the facts that lie at the heart of our report and any clarifications that arise during examination.

We love coffee, and work with coffee daily. As consultants and expert witnesses, we’re here to help you by sharing our expertise to protect your clients from financial loss and reputational harm.