Let’s face it: when dealing with trip and fall lawsuits it’s not often that jurors or judges fully understand the importance of industry‑recognized standards of care.

Trip‑and‑fall accidents are often caused by cracks in pavement, changes in sidewalk elevation, or even defects in stairs. Portraying these physical conditions can be challenging when all you have is a grainy, two‑dimensional photograph of the defect. Now imagine the impact of placing a 3D model of a two‑inch‑deep cracked sidewalk in front of a jury or deponent and asking whether they consider it a safety hazard.

With 3D printing, that hypothetical is achievable as defects that caused your client harm are put into jurors' hands as a physical, 3D-printed model. 

Make Your Exhibits Stand Out

How often have you shown a jury or deponent an image of a defect and asked them to assess if it was dangerous, and their response was, “That’s hard to say”? Or how many times have you asked your client to recount the approximate measurement of the defect, and they responded with, “I’m not good with that kind of stuff”? Those uncertain answers can be a huge detriment to your case, but with 3D printing, you remove that uncertainty.

Engagement Equals Success

When you present a 3D replica of the hazard, you’re not just changing the game; you’re making your jury feel like forensic engineers. Instead of asking jurors to formulate an opinion solely on lengthy interviews and less-than-clear images, 3D models allow them to more accurately assess the situation.

By relying on the science of hands-on learning, this tool provides sensory details that activate both sides of the brain, which allows for stronger connections. Professor Sian Beilock, author of “How the Body Knows Its Mind” connects this concept to a study of students relying on either visual stimulants or motor skills to understand science concepts. Beilock concluded that “students who physically experience difficult science concepts learn them better.” 

The same concept can be applied in the courtroom by creating an engaging environment that brings the jury to full attention and deepens their understanding of the facts. As jurors pass the model around and feel its contours with their fingers, they can gauge just how deep and dangerous a crack or trip hazard truly is, allowing the facts and consequences of the case to become real as they form a personal connection.

Moore Engineering Services is an engineering firm providing a wide range of floor and substrate testing, consulting, and risk management services with a focus in walkway safety auditing and floor safety. The firm specializes in forensic expert witness work regarding slips, trips, and falls to provide analysis through industry standards from slip testing to ADA compliance to snow and ice management for civil litigation needs. For more information, call 856-437-7900 or visit their website at mooreeng.com.