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Review of Case Materials
Reviews records, documents, testimony, data, and other relevant materials and consults with counsel regarding technical issues related to the matter.
Provide Expert Analysis
Applies specialized knowledge and experience to evaluate the technical or professional issues involved.
Form Expert Opinions
Develops independent, supportable opinions based on the available evidence and relevant standards.
Prepare Expert Reports
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A suitably qualified aquatic safety expert can examine lifeguard positions, assigned surveillance zones, sight lines, patron density, rotations, distractions, staffing, video, facility layout, and the chronology of recognition and response. CDC's 2024 Model Aquatic Health Code calls for defined patron-surveillance zones and staffing that provides coverage of those zones; it also addresses lifeguard rotations and supervision protocols. The MAHC is model guidance rather than automatically applicable law, so the governing requirements must be determined for the particular jurisdiction and facility.
Relevant evidence may include lifeguard certifications, hiring and training records, pre-service evaluations, in-service training, staffing plans, zone diagrams, rotation schedules, emergency action plans, rescue drills, equipment inspections, and supervisor records. CDC's current MAHC addresses facility-specific pre-service training and documented competency; it also requires lifeguard training on surveillance zones, rotations, minimum staffing, and rescue and first-aid response, while emergency action plans address communication, responder roles, required equipment, and coordinated response.
A suitably qualified aquatic safety expert can analyze the available evidence to reconstruct the chronology of observable distress, staff recognition, and response, including what rescue and communication procedures were followed and how CPR, AED, first aid, or emergency medical services were activated where relevant. The analysis can be compared with the facility's own emergency action plan, training, staffing, and documented procedures. CDC's MAHC identifies emergency action planning, communication, responder roles, rescue equipment, and coordinated patient care as components of aquatic-facility safety planning. Medical opinions concerning the physiological effects of drowning or the medical cause of injury or death generally require appropriately qualified medical experts.
Prepares clear, well-supported expert reports outlining methodology, analysis, findings, and opinions.
Provide Deposition Testimony
Explains findings and opinions under oath and responds to questioning during deposition testimony.
Testify in Court
Presents specialized findings and opinions clearly to judges, juries, arbitrators, or other decision-makers.
Useful materials may include surveillance video, photographs, lifeguard schedules and assignments, zone-of-surveillance diagrams, certifications, training and drill records, emergency action plans, operating procedures, facility rules, inspection records, rescue-equipment information, incident reports, witness statements, dispatch and EMS records, patron counts, weather information for outdoor venues, and contemporaneous communications. Because surveillance positions, staffing, and operating conditions can change after an incident, records showing conditions on the specific date and time are particularly important.
