Welcome to Taylor Associates Ltd., Consulting Forensic Engineers on Sunday the 20th May 2012, specialising in personal injury, heating, plumbing, ventilation and air conditioning claims.

Ken Taylor - Consulting Forensic Engineer - Brief Profile

Ken has been instructed as an expert witness in over 3,500 personal injury and building services civil and criminal cases since 1975. He served an indentured apprenticeship and studied both construction and engineering, becoming a Chartered Engineer.

Professional qualifications include Eur Ing, CEng, FCIBSE, FSOE, FIPlantE, FCIPHE, RP, FCMI, FRSA, MASHRAE (USA), MAE.

Justice of the Peace from 1983 to 2011 and visiting lecturer to various colleges from 1989 to 2009. Listed in Debrett's and Marquis Whos Who (USA) and Freeman City of London.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ken accepts instructions at any location

Solicitors are invited to telephone 01253 596308, fax 01253 596818 or E mail forensic.engineer@tiscali.co.uk for a lump sum fee quotation for a report at any location.

------------------------------------------------------

Ken's Availability

Before setting cases down trials or conferences or obtaining court orders for deadliines for reports or joint statements of experts, please request Ken's unavailability list in case he is not available because of trials, conferences, inspections or even holidays. The list covers the next 12 months and can be faxed or Emailed in a few minutes by contacting:-

Tel: 01253 596308, Fax: 01253 596818 E mail: forensic.engineer@tiscal.co.uk

--------------------------------------------------------------

Ken's Reg No 640

Instructions

Ken accepts instructions by party or single joint instruction from solicitors for many kinds of personal injury and building services cases, in accordance with the Academy of Experts' terms and conditions and Brochure/terms T/2012/1. See 'Professional Background' page for Ken's brief CV and 'Services' page for types of cases handled. Most cases are in the UK.

Fee Charges

Wherever practicable, to assist solicitors a lump sum fee quote is offered in advance for reports, conference with counsel and attending court to give evidence. For further information, contact us for a quote, CV and Brochure to forensic.engineer@tiscali.co.uk or tel: 01253 596308 or 07721 300449, or send a fax: 01253 596818.

For other advice such as discussions with other experts and providing joint statements and answering questions under the Civil Procedure Rules with respect to reports, an hourly rate applies and is quoted in Brochure T/2012/1.

-------------------------------------------------

Text Book - 'A Practical Guide For the Expert Witness'

Published in 2000 (ISBN 0-9538942), Ken's text book is available from 71 Beaufort Avenue, Bispham, Blackpool, FY2 9AG for £12, including postage and packing in the UK. The book is aimed at those aspiring to be expert witnesses, having already achieved a respected position in their chosen profession.

Chapters include:-

Outline of the Expert Witness and his Role
The appointment of the Expert
Documents in a case
Inspection of the locus in quo and tests
Interview with party
Without prejudice meeting of experts
The report and interlocutory matters
Proceedings
Preparing for the hearing
The hearing and judgement
Advocacy and cross examination
Professional negligence, insurance and criminal charges
Basic law
The law of evidence
Personal injuries
Arbitration
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)

Since the book was written there have been some changes in the law, the most notable of which is the recent Supreme Court decision to remove imunity of experts whilst giving evidence in court.

------------------------------------------------------

Experience and Availability

Ken Taylor has been acting as an expert witness since 1975, mostly in the UK, and has gained a broad experience in all manner of personal injury claims by instructions from solicitors by party and single joint instructions. He served as a magistrate from 1983 to 2011 and was a chairman in adult, youth, family and domestic violence courts. From 1989 until 2009 he was also a visiting lecturer in subjects including health and safety, engineering design and contract management.

Please E mail, fax or telephone for an updated unavailability list before setting down trials. E mail: forensic.engineer@tiscali.co.uk

fax: 01253 596818 tel: 01253 596308.

Our firm

Services to Solicitors - Instructions by party or single joint instruction

Preliminary Advice - telephone or brief E mail at no charge
Reports regarding personal injury and building services disputes
Supplemental reports/answering questions under Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules.
Conference with Counsel
Attending trials and arbitration hearings to give evidence
Speaker on occupational diseases at Law Society CPD Conferences and Seminars

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Our services

Past Cases

Over 3,500 personal injury and building services cases dealt with for Claimant and Defendants' Solicitors in addition to design and supervision of projects since 1966.

Ken has given evidence in Magistrates, County, Crown, Official Referee (Construction and Technology), High courts and before Arbitrators.

Case studies

Please click on 'Case studies' above to see a few examples of the cases Ken has presonally dealt with.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Gas boilers, fires and cookers have caused the death of people for generations and despite strict rules on competence and mandatory servicing by landlords, I still receive instructions from solicitors where people have been exposed to the dreaded carbon monxide gas, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Appliances with open flues are the most hazardous but not the only source of danger. I have been instructed in a case where a man died from fumes from a sealed gas boiler which was incompetently fitted. Always employ a Gas Safe Fitter (successor to CORGI) and check that he is Registered. Check by www.gassaferegister.co.uk or tel: 0800 408 5500.

I have also been involved with solid fuel boilers causing injury and death through carbon monoxide emissions.

Some cases are of a relatively lower exposure to CO (although still very serious) which may cause a slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and general feeling of unwell when in the room where the appliance is situated. A visit to the GP may not identify the cause unless the physician is advised of the presence of open flued gas or solid fuel appliances or if blood tests are carried out. I have had many cases where this has occurred, in one case for ten years before the cause was found to be a gas fire only after a man had died. In another case, a man died after looking after a solid fuel boiler for several months.

IF YOU HAVE A GAS OR SOLID FUEL APPLINCE ENSURE THAT IT IS SERVICED CORRECTLY BY A COMPETENT PERSON IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS. YOUR LIFE AND THOSE OF YOUR FAMILY MAY DEPEND ON IT.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER PLACE A BBQ INSIDE A TENT OR CARAVAN OR EVEN IN THE PORCH PART BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE DIED AS A RESULT OF CO POISONING.

I have also been instructed in a case where a person switched on a light and the spark ignited a natural gas build up from a leaking pipe and this blew up the house, with dire consequences. This is not to be confused with carbon monoxide gas which is generated by the appliances during poor combustion.

My advice is that a good quality carbon monoxide detector be fitted which will give asssurance that if an apppliance does start to emit carbon monoxide gas, then it will be detected early so that the gas supply can be turned off at the meter if possible, open windows and the emergency services are immediately called out. Carbon monoxide gas has no smell, that is why it is so dangerous. Also if you smell gas this is likley to be a gas leak and you should call in the emergency services promptly.

National Grid emergency number is 0800 111 999

You should stay out of the premises until they arrive and then take their advice.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Asbestos is lethal

Take asbestos materials seriously by never disturbing or handling them without proper authority to do so and with proper equipment and procedures. It is a specialist profession.

You may not be affected for 20 or even up to 50 years, but if you have ever seen anyone suffer from this hateful substance, you would treat it with great respect.

If you believe that you have asbestos materials in your home seek advice now from the HSE or from a specialist removal contractor. Businesses are already committed to identifying any asbestos present in their premises and recording their presence, ensuring that they pose no risk, i.e. that they are sealed or properly removed by a licensed company.

Further information can be obtained from the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be Healthy and reduce your chances of contracting heart disease or a killer cancer:-

Give up smoking.
Eat less red meat & processed meat.
Eat more fruit and vegetables.
Make sure you take enough minerals and vitamins - especially vitamin D.
Take more exercise.
Drink alcohol sensibly and never when driving or intending to drive.

That is the message from the experts if you want to live a longer and more healthy life.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to avoid litigation and prosecutions at work

Employers - Always carry out a thorough risk assessment for potentially hazardous tasks and where risks are found establish control measures to keep your employees safe and make sure your workforce are well trained and briefed in operating those measures.

Employees - Always work safely in accordance with systems of work arranged by your Employer and where a hazard is noticed by you, bring it to the attention of your Line Manager.

Ken would soon be redundant if this always occurred!

--------------------------------------------------------------