About the Author - Acknowledgments

• Author: Charles E. Turnbow
• Pages: 7-7

F-3

About the Author

Charles E. Turnbow is a practicing attorney and a professional safety engineer. Since he first testified as an

expert in 1959, he has been retained on over 9,500 slip and fall cases along with over 2,500 cases involving

product defects and general safety engineering principles. In his role as an expert witness and consultant,

he evenly divides his practice between plaintiffs and defendants. He is a board certified forensic engineer,

a Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners, and a member of the California State Bar, the

American Bar Association, International Conference of Building Officials, American Society of Testing and

Materials and other construction, engineering and scientific societies and associations. Mr. Turnbow can be

reached at 21812 Highway 18, Suite A, Apple Valley, California 92307, (760) 247-1050, or at turnbow@

turnbow.com.

Acknowledgments

If there were only one word that would characterize a successful personal injury lawsuit, it would be “prepa-

ration.” After reviewing the facts in the 9,000 plus cases in which I have been retained, I find that there is a

substantial number of cases that are not supported by the available evidence. Admissible evidence may often

be presented through expert testimony. Changes in both the evidence codes and Rules of Civil Procedures

require different methods of presentation than those used in the past. Admissibility of expert testimony and

methods of presentation are the major topics discussed in this year’s supplement. The comments and ques-

tions regarding any topic in the book are always welcome.

I want to thank the staff at Turnbow Engineering Laboratories for their comments and patience, the staff

of the Institute for Safety Education for their help in compiling accident/injury statistics, and the practicing

attorneys that have retained me in cases across the country for their understanding and patience with my often

hectic schedule.

I wish to thank Dr. George Sotter for his input regarding the international scientific community’s development

to tribometry. I would also like to show my appreciation to the members of the American Society for Testing

and Materials F-13 committee for their continued dedication to the industry’s efforts to make the world a safer

place to walk.

My personal assistant and right hand, Jenette Barricman, keeps me on track and somehow balances demands

for time with the available slots in the calendar.

For the past 20 years, I have thanked my wife, Katherine, for her insight and counseling regarding both prac-

tical problems of running a dual practice and for acting as a wise sounding board for ideas for lectures and

articles. This year is no different. For the love, support and an occasional admonition, thank you, Partner!