Airport Expert Witness773-619-1226
Airport Safety Expert Witness

Airport Safety Expert Witness

Standard of Care Opinions on Airport Operations, Construction Safety & OSHA Compliance

Airport safety expert witness services for cases involving standard of care violations, OSHA non-compliance, construction zone hazards, and operational negligence at airports and transportation facilities. Paul Gaston's dual OSHA 30-Hour certification and 17+ years at O'Hare International Airport provide the authoritative foundation for credible safety opinions.

Airport Safety Standards: What Governs Airport Operations

Airport safety is governed by a multi-layered framework of federal regulations, industry standards, and facility-specific protocols. An airport safety expert witness must be fluent in all of these — and must be able to explain how they apply to a specific incident in terms that a judge and jury can understand.

  • FAA Advisory Circulars governing airport design, construction, and operations
  • OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Construction) and 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) standards
  • ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ICC/ANSI A117.1
  • ASTM International standards for flooring, slip resistance, and surface testing
  • NFPA fire and life safety codes applicable to terminal environments
  • Airport-specific operations manuals, maintenance protocols, and inspection procedures

OSHA Expertise in Airport Cases

OSHA standards are frequently cited in airport liability cases — particularly those involving construction zones in occupied terminals, fall protection failures, and equipment-related injuries. Paul Gaston holds dual OSHA 30-Hour certifications in both construction and general industry, providing authoritative opinions on which OSHA standards apply, how they should be interpreted, and whether violations occurred in a specific case.

Airport Forensic Expert Services

In addition to standard-of-care opinions, our airport safety expert witness services include forensic analysis of incident causation — examining the physical evidence, maintenance records, inspection logs, and operational history to reconstruct how and why an accident occurred. This forensic approach provides attorneys with the factual foundation needed to support or defend liability claims.

  • Post-incident site inspection and evidence documentation
  • Review and analysis of maintenance and inspection records
  • Identification of the proximate cause and contributing factors
  • Evaluation of whether the hazard was foreseeable and preventable
  • Analysis of the airport's response time and corrective action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an airport safety expert and an airport forensic expert?

An airport safety expert focuses on standard-of-care opinions — what the airport operator should have done to prevent the incident. An airport forensic expert focuses on causation — reconstructing what actually happened and why. Our experts provide both types of opinions, which together form the complete picture needed for liability litigation.

Do you provide opinions on OSHA violations in airport construction cases?

Yes. Paul Gaston holds dual OSHA 30-Hour certifications in construction and general industry, and has direct experience managing OSHA-regulated construction projects in occupied airport terminals. He provides authoritative opinions on OSHA applicability, compliance, and violations in airport construction cases.

Retain an Expert

Initial consultation at no charge. CVs and prior testimony lists available upon request.

CALL 773-619-1226SUBMIT CASE INQUIRY
Fee Schedule
Retainer: $6,000 (non-refundable)
Hourly: $600/hr
Deposition: $2,500–$5,000
Trial: $5,000–$10,000

Expert Credentials

  • 17+ Years at O'Hare International Airport
  • City of Chicago Licensed General Contractor
  • OSHA 30-Hour Certified (Construction & General Industry)
  • ADA Compliance Specialist
  • Plaintiff & Defense
  • All 50 States