The Injury Biomechanics group at AB Forensics apply mechanical engineering principles to understand the structure, function and injury tolerance of the human body. We use our expertise to determine the most likely cause of injury across a wide range of incidents including Motor Vehicle Collisions, Sports and Recreational Activity, and Slip, Trip and Falls.
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MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS
Motor Vehicle Collisions across Canada resulted in over 140,000 injuries in 2019, and included over 1,700 fatalities and over 8,900 serious injuries. Contributing factors included distraction, speed (driving too fast), impairment (under the influence), fatigue, environmental factors, vehicle factors and other human factors.
Injury Biomechanics can be used effectively in Motor Vehicle Collision insurance claims to help determine the most likely cause of injury (to driver, occupants and pedestrians), seat belt use and effectiveness, air-bag use and effectiveness, occupant and pedestrian kinematics, and driver identification.
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SPORTS CONCUSSION INJURY
Over 17,000 sports related brain injuries were registered at Emergency Departments in Alberta and Ontario in 2016-17, with the vast majority (>90%) related to concussion. Team sports with the highest rates of concussion were hockey, football and rugby. Individual sports with the highest rates of concussion included cycling, skiing and snowboarding.
Injury Biomechanics can be used effectively in Concussion injury claims to help determine the most likely cause of injury.
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SWIMMING AND DIVING INJURY
Diving is one of the most common causes of spinal cord injury (SCI) from sport and recreation activity in Canada. This spinal cord injury typically results from diving into a swimming pool that is too shallow and/or too short to allow a safe dive to be completed.
Injury Biomechanics can be used effectively in Diving injury claims to help determine the most likely cause of injury. Our experts conduct a rigorous assessment of external risk factors including the type of swimming pool (above ground, in-ground), potential dive initiation site (diving board, pool edge, ladder, roof or other surface), location of impact (sloping bottom, flat bottom, side-wall), pool location (public facility, on a private residence), ownership of the swimming pool (friends, family, other owners), familiarity with the swimming pool, potential alcohol and/or drug use, depth of the swimming pool at the impact site and across the profile of the swimming pool, signage around the swimming pool (including on the side walls and floor or the pool).
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SLIPS, TRIPS and FALLS
In Canada in 2017-18, over 100,000 seniors were hospitalized and over 40,000 workers were hurt, due to falls.
Injury Biomechanics can be used effectively to determine the root cause of a Slip, Trip or Fall injury by assessing a wide range of factors including seasonal hazards (snow, ice), slippery substances (oil, grease, organic growth), debris or obstructions in walkways, improperly maintained equipment (ladders, scaffolds, guardrails), unguarded beds of trucks, trailers or loads, dirty work areas and surfaces, visibility obstructions (smoke, steam, dust or physical objects), improper use of ladders and steps, improper use and/or placement of cords across walkways, unsecured and unsuitable mats, poor lighting, changes in walkway levels and slopes, and many other factors.
Injury Biomechanics services are provided at an Hourly rate + Expenses. Please contact us at info[at]abforensics.com for our rate sheet.