Open AccessForensic Analysis Of Leaning/Falling Gypsum Wallboard
Author(s) -
R A Rice
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of the national academy of forensic engineers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.102
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2379-3252
pISSN - 2379-3244
DOI - 10.51501/jotnafe.v20i2.616
Subject(s) - plaintiff , forensic engineering , layperson , framing (construction) , engineering , gypsum , civil engineering , law , paleontology , political science , biology
Gypsum Wallboard Is A Very Common Material Used In Residential And Commercial Construction. It Is Relatively Inexpensive To Purchase And Install. However, If Not Properly Stored On Site Prior To Its Installation, It Can Be A Source Of Property Damage, Injury, And Sometimes Death To The Layperson. The Author Has Over Thirty Years Experience Using Drywall In Residential And Commercial Construction. In That Time, The Author Has Known Of, And Has Been Personally Involved In Several Drywall Incidents. Fortunately, The Injuries, If Any, Were Inconsequential. The Experienced Construction Personnel Involved In Those Incidents Were Able To React To The Known Danger. It Is When The Layperson Comes Onto A Construction Site That Leaning Drywall Can Be Dangerous. This Paper Will Discuss The Results Of An Investigation Into The Death Of A 54 Year Old Woman (Plaintiff) On A Residential Construction Site In The Year 2000. The Plaintiff Was The Mother Of The Man Purchasing The New Residence. Both Were At The Incident Site To Inspect The Construction Progress. The Plaintiff Was Killed When Approximately Twenty-Six Sheets Of 4 x 12 x 1/2 Drywall Fell From A Leaning Position And Pinned Her Against The Interior Wood Structural Framing. The Investigation Involved An On-Site Inspection Where The Incident Took Place, Load Calculations, And The Review Of Numerous Depositions.