When Products Fail: How Expert Witnesses Investigate, Analyze, and Testify

A product fails.A mechanical system breaks down.And the question isn’t just what happened — it’s why.In this episode of On the Stand with Ashish Arun, John Zeirke joins the conversation to break down how mechanical engineers approach failure analysis in litigation— from investigating evidence to building expert opinions that can withstand legal scrutiny.With experience in product design, safety investigations, and forensic engineering, John explains how experts evaluate mechanical failures, product defects, and accident scenarios — and how those findings are translated into clear, defensible testimony in court.🔍 What This Episode CoversHow mechanical engineers investigate product and system failures The role of testing, inspection, and engineering methodology in expert opinionsHow causation is established in product liability and accident casesDistinguishing design defects, manufacturing issues, and misuseThe importance of objectivity and evidence-based conclusionsHow experts communicate complex engineering findings to attorneys and juries👨‍🔧 About the GuestJohn Zeirke is a mechanical engineer and expert witness who focuses on failure analysis, product liability, and accident investigation. His work involves evaluating physical evidence, applying engineering principles, and determining causation in complex cases. He works closely with attorneys to analyze mechanical systems, identify potential design or manufacturing issues, and support the development of clear, defensible expert testimony in litigation.⚖️ Who Should WatchProduct liability and engineering litigation attorneysMechanical engineers and forensic expertsExpert witnesses building or defending technical opinionsInsurance and investigation professionalsAnyone interested in how engineering meets the courtroom🎙️ On the Stand with Ashish Arun explores the law, practice, and business of expert witness testimony across industries — from engineering and healthcare to finance, data, and AI.#ExpertWitness #MechanicalEngineering #FailureAnalysis #ProductLiability #ForensicEngineering #AccidentReconstruction #ExpertTestimony #LitigationSupport #OnTheStandPodcast #AshishArun #Season3