The Consulting Process
Across the US, millions of cups of coffee are brewed and consumed each day, in and out of the home. When enjoying our daily hot beverage, the dangers of spills and burns are not in the forefront of our minds.
Sadly, hot beverage spills do occur, and can cause serious burns, and lawsuits. When a lawsuit arises from a hot beverage burn, lawyers turn to Dan Cox as a technical consultant to provide knowledge, and expert witness testimony for their case.
Between the initial inquiry, and the conclusion of the lawsuit several things occur. Let’s take a deep dive into the process.
After receiving the inquiry via email or phone, we conduct a no cost, no obligation initial consultation. This brief discussion is to review the details of the complaint and determine if we may add value to help your case reach the desired outcome. The circumstances of each hot beverage spill case are unique, and require expertise in different fields. Dan Cox, a respected professional of the coffee industry for over 40 years, has extensive knowledge on many topics that may arise in hot beverage spill litigation, such as brewing, holding, and serving temperatures, and operational best practices.
After determining if Dan can help, and that his expertise matches your case, we move forward and are hired as an expert consultant for your litigation team.
Next, we gather information. We review in detail all the case materials that are provided to us for review, including the formal complaint, deposition transcripts, videos, and photos. Using the information provided, we evaluate and address the claims that are made specific to product defects, beverage temperatures, and serving best practices. The science of brewing is complex and unique, but retailers generally follow the Specialty Coffee Association’s standards for brewing coffee to produce the best tasting product for the consumer.
Occasionally field and lab work are required for a case. When independent testing is required our sister company, Coffee Enterprises, is utilized to preform analysis with their unbiased technical staff and laboratory. We occasionally step into the field to complete testing and evaluate the actual brewing equipment, or services that are part of the legal claim.
After a thorough review of the case materials, we prepare a detailed report of our findings, testing results, and Dan Cox’s expert opinions. This report will detail the science and analytical results, with explanations and breakdowns to for easy understanding of the contents and data. Providing a report, written by an expert of the coffee and hot beverage industry, may contribute to settlements, as the opposing party must acknowledge the science and facts behind the case.
When faced with a formidable expert witness with experience both in the coffee industry, and the courtroom, many cases settle before reaching trial. When a settlement isn’t reached, and a case continues to trial, we provide information that helps to prepare counsel for examination and cross examination. At trial, Dan Cox testifies as an expert witness from within the hot beverage industry. The facts and brewing sciences at the center of each report may appear complex, but are broken down for easy understanding by judge, and jury. Dan Cox has testified at four trials, each resulting in a verdict for our client.
Dan works closely with coffee every day. He takes the time to keep up to date in the industry and grow his expertise. Dan Cox & Associates is here to help, to protect your clients for devastating monetary losses, and damage to their reputation.
Call today to start the process and bolster your case at (802) 799 2235.
