Apex Engineers bring a broad range of academic and professional experiences to their work, which allows us to engage in diverse investigations. The areas of expertise below are by no means an exhaustive list, but are instead meant to provide a spectrum of some of the areas in which we have worked in the past.
Products
Design / Manufacturing / Marketing
Injuries can occur when using commercially available products, and the responsible parties should be held accountable. Virtually all products on the market have undergone some form of engineering, which is often central to disputes.
Our engineers have extensive experience in gathering and analyzing data to determine the root cause of damage. Once this information is available, injured parties, insurance companies, and other stakeholders can assess responsibility for the incident.
Premises Liability
Lighting / Slip Resistance / Signage / Code Compliance
In the event of an accident or injury on private, public, or commercial property, the injured party often seeks to hold the property owner or controller responsible.
During a premises liability investigation, Apex engineers examine all relevant factors to determine whether they contributed to the incident. This process often involves utilizing advanced technology to quantify contributing factors and reviewing applicable standards and codes as they relate to the specific circumstances of the case.
Fire and Explosions
Origin and Cause / Device Failure Analysis / Environmental Cause Analysis
Fires and explosions are often sudden and devastating events. The first step in determining responsibility is identifying where and why the incident occurred.
Our engineers have extensive experience in origin and cause investigations, as well as in-depth analysis of the underlying failures related to device or equipment performance.
An Apex investigation thoroughly examines all aspects of a fire or explosion, from pinpointing the time and location to uncovering the cause and contributing factors.
Transportation
Accident Reconstruction / Trucking and Shipping Incidents / Vehicle Fire Investigation / Maritime Events / Aviation
Apex conducts investigations across all modes of travel, including pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, heavy truck, and maritime incidents.
These investigations, which often involve both personal injury and property damage, consider factors such as physical damage characteristics, skid marks, event recorder data, sight lines, and traffic patterns—analyzed alongside human reaction times and expected behaviors.
An Apex investigation provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to the accident and their relevance to the parties involved.
Industrial Machinery
Machine Guarding / Mechanical Systems Design & Analysis / Pressure Vessels and Plumbing
Industrial machinery carries inherent risks, and injuries can result from various failures, including human, mechanical, and environmental factors.
Through a thorough inspection, Apex engineers identify the root cause of the failure and any contributing factors. This critical information enables clients to determine the best course of action moving forward.
Heavy Equipment and Lifts
Heavy Equipment / Agricultural Equipment / Aerial Platforms
The use of heavy equipment—whether at construction sites, production facilities, farms, or other applications—presents various potential hazards.
Apex has investigated numerous incidents involving all types of heavy equipment, including excavators, lifts, farm machinery, and rollers.
Our expertise in applicable design and operational standards allows us to assess the role of the equipment, the operator, and nearby personnel when investigating accidents involving heavy machinery and lifts.
Structures
Flood / Structural Failures / Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Property damage often results from mechanical failure. Apex Applied Science and Engineering specializes in identifying both the failure mechanism and its immediate and proximate causes.
Our engineers have extensive experience in gathering and analyzing data to determine the root cause of the damage.
With this information, property owners, insurance companies, and other stakeholders can assess responsibility and take appropriate action.
