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Recreational Vehicle Expert Witness Recreational Vehicle Expert Witness Service

Who Are We?

Paul and Mao Unmack, PEs-ME, CSE

Paul and Mao Unmack are Professional Engineers licensed in Machine Design and Control Systems. The proper application of science combined with extensive RV and automotive experience is how cases are won. We are committed to RV safety and understand the systems that can fail due to many issues in RVs that result in damage to life and property. Practical experience combined with academic knowledge to understand failure modes is needed by experts, but rarly found in a single team that can economicly bring cases to a desirable conclusion.

About Photo: We chose this photo because it reflects the fact that we live in our RV for extended periods of time. We live a life of adventure, therefore we understand how to not only maintain and fix the systems found in all RVs, we use them on a daily basis.

When we started practicing RV expert witness science, we came to find in short order that a majority of the experts had very little practical RV experience. This resulted in experts making decisions without relevant information or knowledge based on the complexity of an RV. Without a working knowledge of RVs, a holistic approach was not taken in order to advance the case toward a desirable outcome.

Practicing Disciplines - Areas of Expertise

Appliance Failure and Fire

  • Refrigerator
  • Furnace
  • Stove Top and Oven
  • Heaters

LP Gas Fires and Explosions

  • LP Regulators
  • LP Tanks
  • LP Plumbing
  • LP Fridge

Electrical Failures and Fires

  • Solar Systems
  • Mixed
    12VDC & 120VAC
    Power

Advanced Strengths of Material Analysis

  • Dynamic Road Failures
  • Frames
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical Connections

Design of Experiment and Proof of Accident Facts

Innovative RV Materials Testing Movie

The video above is a test that we designed to counter a claim that was made. The desired outcome was a simulation of the conditions required for the claimed failure mode. With application of the laws of physics combined with instrumentation to document the test we proved the failure mode for the part in question for this case.

Upon request we will provide an expert rebuttal report that contributed to a multi million dollar settlement in this particular case.

Claims and Counter Claims

MICHAEL RUNNELS et al., Plaintiffs, v. NORCOLD, INC., et al., Defendants.

The case in the link above makes the following arguments based on "a well-qualified engineer":

Norcold admits that this feature—"fatigue failure of corrosion in the boiler tube of the refrigerator that leaks hydrogen gas"—is a product defect [KleinDepo. 28:7-10 (Dkt. No. 130-4)]. It appears, however, that corrosion is impossible to control completely in this sort of gas absorption refrigerator, and Plaintiff has not produced any evidence of a commercially available absorption refrigerator that has completely negated the problem of corrosion. See [KeiferDepo. 153:18-22 (Dkt. No. 120-9)].

Analysis

• Corrosion is Impossible to Control

This may be a true statement, but not persuasive. Although corrosion is one of the leading expenses to industry, there are many technologies to mitigate its effects. In this case, the use of science would easily counter this statement making the statement moot when taken in context.

• Commercially available absorption refrigerator that has completely negated the problem of corrosion

The point in this case is making a product that is safe. As stated above, the control of corrosion is what is important. There are "commercially available" solutions to these issues which make the product reasonably safe.

• Norcold admits ... is a product defect

All cases are unique, but with the right use of science combined with admission of defect, statements like "completely negated the problem" are rendered ineffective in court.

Independent Consultants

The consultants listed below are professionals that we have working experience with. If one desires to contact any of these individuals please use the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the page if direct contact info is not given below.

Please note that all consultants listed on this page are independent, therefore all work preformed by them is according to any arrangements between the independent consultant and the client.

Paul & Mao Unmack, PEs
• 20 Years Automotive Repair & Electrical Expertise
• Pressure Vessel; Welding; Controls Systems Engineering
• Design; Fabricate; & Use of RVs for over 50 Years
• Patented Solution to Long Felt Safety Need for RVs
3024 Wharton
Butte, MT 59701
Website: Fridge Defend by ARP

Carmen Vertullo, Fastener Expert
Carver Engineering and Manufacturing
Carver Labs
• NFDA’s 2023 Fastener Professional of the Year
• Fastener Hall of Fame Inductee
1920 Cordell Ct, Ste. 101
El Cajon, CA 92020
Website: CARVER LABS

John Hunter Stevens, Esq.
Personal Injury Attorney
1535 Lelia Dr
Jackson, MS 39216
Website: Stevens Law